July 16, 2022
Global warming and human activity have resulted in the thinning of the Khumbu glacier, the spot where Everest base camp is situated, making it dangerous for climbers who stop there during their accent. The camp is used by close to 1,500 people during the climbing season.
Nepal has decided to move the camp to a lower altitude that has no ice all year long. The camp is currently located at an altitude of 5,364mts; the new camp will be between 200 and 400mts lower. Most of the Khumbu glacier is covered by rocky material and some exposed ice called ice cliffs. It is the melting of the ice cliffs, the resulting melt-water and the crevasses created by climbers that destabilise the glacier.
Did You Know?
The Everest base camp produces close to 4,000 litres of urine every day.
ACTIVITY: Icy Creations
Name any 5 glaciers across the world.
