Nov 23 2020
Six decades of glacier mass changes around Mt. Everest are revealed by historical and contemporary images
King et al. show that glaciers around Mt. Everest have thinned by more than 100m since the 1960s and that the rate of ice mass loss has consistently accelerated over the past six decades.
To arrive at their findings, the researchers constructed time series of glacier mass-change measurements based on modern and historical satellite images of Mt. Everest and the surrounding glacial valleys stretching back 56 years.
The work provides a baseline for future glacier loss and meltwater predictions, which are especially important because of the role that meltwater from Himalayan glaciers plays in providing water to the surrounding communities.
How climate change will increase the oxygen available to humans on Mount Everest
Not only is it currently possible for humans to climb to the summit of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, it's actually become easier since the beginning of the 20th century: increases in temperature have increased the air pressure on its summit and made more oxygen available for human climbers to breathe.
Matthews et al. provide the highest resolution estimate to date of how close Mt. Everest summit oxygen availability encroaches upon human aerobic limits and the most detailed assessment yet of the potential shifts in the aerobic challenge of Mt. Everest due to climate change.
Behind the scenes of a comprehensive scientific expedition to Mt. Everest
In this Backstory, Elvin et al. describe the "symphony of logistics" it takes to conduct science on the world's tallest mountain.
They calculate the supplemental oxygen needed to take the team to the summit, devise ways to lighten scientific equipment, design an inflatable catamaran raft to use for sample collection in alpine lakes, and map a route involving more than six different types of transportation.
They also discuss the importance of receiving informed buy-in from local communities and the essential leadership, guidance, and support of the high-altitude climbing Sherpas who were key partners in the expedition.
This work was supported by the National Geographic Society and Rolex. To learn more about the Everest Expedition, please visit: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/projects/perpetual-planet/everest/.
Source: https://www.cell.com/