TERM PAPER – GEOLOGY Abstract The effects of global warming are the environmental and social changes caused (directly or indirectly) by human emissions of greenhouse gases . There is a scienfic consensus that climate change is occurring, and that human acvies are the primary driver. Study of the phenomenon of glaciaon and Glacier dynamics in the Himalayas has, in recent years, aained significant aenon, on account of the general belief that global warming and climate change is leading to faster degeneraon of glaciers in the Himalayas. It is argued that this would, in the long run, not only have an adverse effect on the environment, climate and the water resources but also on other concerned and connected acvies. This paper provides a summary of the literature, as well as some fresh analysis of the issue. An interesng point made in this paper is that while the glaciers are the best barometers known to assess past climate, the same may not be true for glacier fluctuaons being an accurate guide of future climac changes. I.INTRODUCTION A glacier is a large mass of ice formed by compacon and re- crystallizaon of snow, moving slowly by creep down slope, due to the stress of its own weight, and surviving from year to year. The Himalayas have the largest concentraon of glaciers outside the polar region. These glaciers are a freshwater reserve; they provide the headwaters for nine major river systems in Asia – a lifeline for almost one-third of humanity. There is clear evidence that Himalayan glaciers have been melng at an unprecedented rate in recent decades; this trend causes major changes in freshwater flow regimes and is likely to have a dramac impact on drinking water supplies, biodiversity, hydropower, industry, agriculture and others, with far-reaching implicaons for the people of the region and the earth’s environment. The distribuon of the glaciers within these mountain ranges is so vast and wide that no specific latudinal or morpho- climac zones can be defined. The nature and number of the glacier bearing basins in these ranges have fluctuated from a much larger expanse during the Pleistocene to comparavely limited expanse at present . One result of glacial retreat has been an increase in the number and size of glacial lakes forming at the new terminal ends behind the exposed end moraines. These in turn give rise to an increase in the potenal threat of glacial lake outburst floods occurring. Such disasters oſten cross boundaries; the water from a lake in one country threatens the lives and properes of people in another. Regional cooperaon is needed to formulate a coordinated strategy to deal effecvely both with the risk of outburst floods and with water management issues. . Snow that accumulates, over the glacier surface, During the previous winter, if it is not removed the following summer, will gradually undergo a change to glacier ice. The term firm is generally applied to the snow that has survived a summer melt season and has begun its transformaon to ice. For a layman, the simplest definion of Global Warming would be that ‘increase in the average temperature of the earth.’ Over the last century this increase was fiercely rapid and extremely hazardous. Reason being, the effects of global warming is starkly visible in the high-altude areas of the earth which is mainly the snow covered peaks. Enjoying the tle of the worlds largest mountain ranges, homing the mighty K2 and the Kanchenjunga (world’s highest peaks), the Himalayan ranges righully jusfy its meaning an ‘abode of snow’. But the consequences of global warming are quite apparent on this abode of snow. Rapid industrializaon has led to the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane in the air. These cases hold the heat within the earth’s atmosphere, keeping it warm. Due to the constant rise in the earth’s temperature and severe variety of climac condions The Himalayan Range comes under vigorous scruny by sciensts and environmentalists from all over the world. Many believe that the global warming connues with the same rate, soon the Himalayan glaciers will decay declining from the exisng 500000 km to 100000 km by the year 2030. It is interesng to observe that water which is considered to be the elixir of life will prove life threatening as it will create an imbalance in the food chains and life styles. The melng of snow from the Himalayas will prove to be extremely perilous as it will aribute to the major part of the land becoming improper for any kind of use. PHYSICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS EFFECT OF GLOBAL WARMING ON GLACIERS A. RIZUL VADHAN (11126), NIT HAMIRPUR 1