Glaciers of the Karakoram Himalaya: Glacial Environments, Processes, Hazards and Resources

The Karakoram contains the greatest concentration of glaciers and most of the largest ice masses outside high latitudes. They comprise major stores and sources of fresh water in an otherwise extreme, continental, dry region. As many as 200 million people living downstream, in the valleys of the Indus and Yarkand Rivers, depend on melt waters from snow and ice. They are at risk from climate-change impacts on glaciers and water supply, and from hazards such as glacial lake outburst floods.

Useful research initiatives go back to the nineteenth century, but coverage has generally been limited geographically and has not been continuous over time. It is almost 80 years since a monograph was devoted to the Karakoram glaciers. The book presents a comprehensive overview, including statistics for the ice cover, glacier mass balance and dynamics, glacierized landscapes, rock glaciers, water resources and environmental hazards. Published glaciological and related research is surveyed along with expedition reports and archival materials in several languages. The expanding potential of satellite coverage is exploited, but conditions and processes reported from field investigations are the main focus. Previously unpublished observations by the author are presented, based on some 45 years of work in the region.

Broad understanding of the glacial environment is used to address emerging concerns about the High Asian cryosphere and the fate of its glaciers. These are discussed in relation to the pressing issues of water supply, environmental risk and sustainability. Questions of what is not known help identify much needed monitoring and research.

The bookis of interest to researchers, professionals, and those studying glaciers, mountain environments, water resources and environmental hazards. The topics discussed should be of concern for anyone involved in regional development and global change in South and Inner Asia.

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Kenneth Hewitt is professor emeritus in Geography and Environmental Studies, and research associate at the Cold Regions Research Centre, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada. His main research interests are in glaciers, large landslides, environmental risks and disasters. He has regional specialisations in high mountain environments worldwide and a focus in the Karakoram Himalaya, Inner Asia, where he has spent 17 field seasons. His approach is based mainly on field investigations and concept development. He has published extensively on these topics, including three books, 56 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and 34 refereed chapters in books.