A team of UK-based PhD students
are all set to depart to the Khumbu Glacier, home to Everest Basecamp in Nepal,
where they will spend three weeks working on and around the glacier with
Nepal-based Himalayan Research Expeditions. Their research is investigating
debris-covered glacier response to climate change and the implications for
runoff, lake formation, and hazards in the mountain environment.
Do say hi if you see them out and
about and are interested in the research. The Khumbu Glacier may resemble a
quarry from the moraines, but there are lots of processes at work! Your
photographs and observations of the glacier may also be useful for the
research.
What will they be doing?
Scott: I’ll be conducting repeat photographic surveys
of ice cliffs I photographed last year, which I’m using to build centimetre-resolution
3D models. With these I can quantify how much melt the cliffs account for and
how this varies spatially and through time. I’ll also be conducting surveys on
the glacial lakes to measure their temperature and depth variability, and collecting
measurements on glacier velocity. I’m also hoping to climb Lobuche East for a panoramic vantage point over the glacier, and to set an altitude record in a boat, conditions permitting...
Owen: I’ll be repeating
photographic surveys of the ablation zone of the Khumbu glacier to extend a
Structure from Motion (SfM) derived time series of high resolution digital
elevation models (DEMs) that our group has been collected for the past two
years. Examination of the differences between these DEMs will show us which
processes are behind glacial mass loss on this glacier. I will also be
collecting a more extensive set of ground control points (GCPs) to improve the
geolocation accuracy of satellite and aerial photography derived datasets. I
will also be verifying Captain Watson’s extreme Kayaking attempt.
Darren: I’ll be conducting
surveys of debris-covered- and rock-glaciers, both ground-based and through
kite aerial photography, with which high resolution (centimetre) 3D models will
be constructed. I’ll use this data to investigate the characteristics of the
debris-cover and gain insight into the transition of debris-covered glaciers to
rock glaciers. I will also conduct surveys on rock glacier meltwater outflow(s)
to understand the discharge volume and water quality, compared to glaciers and
debris-covered glaciers
Recent article in Outside Magazine:
www.outsideonline.com/2067651/climate-change-melting-everest
Recent publication on supraglacial ponds in the Everest region:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921818116300339
Recent publication on supraglacial ponds in the Everest region:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921818116300339
