The Jhelum basin of the Kashmir Himalayas has been found to contain over 100 active permafrost structures, known as rock glaciers. A recent study highlights the significant role these features play in the region’s hydrology and the potential risks they pose in a warming climate.
Understanding Rock Glaciers
Rock glaciers are landforms composed of rock fragments and ice. They typically form in mountainous regions where there is permafrost, rock debris, and ice. Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer on or under Earth’s surface, comprising soil, gravel, sand, usually bound together by ice. Rock glaciers often form from pre-existing glaciers that gather debris and rocks as they move. As the glacier recedes or thaws, this debris-covered ice can transform into a rock glacier. They occur in elevated regions with steep slopes and appear like regular ground to the untrained eye.
Classification and Importance of Rock Glaciers
Rock glaciers are classified as active or relict based on their ice content and movement. Active rock glaciers are dynamic and hazardous, while relict ones are stable and inert. They are important indicators of mountain permafrost and store significant amounts of water in their frozen cores, potentially valuable in light of water scarcity and glacial retreat.
Potential Impacts of Active Rock Glaciers
Active rock glaciers can have several impacts on the region. Firstly, they can increase the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), sudden, catastrophic floods caused when a glacial lake bursts its dam. Secondly, these glaciers could trigger landslides by weakening slope stability or releasing water that lubricates the sliding mass. For instance, Quebec’s Nunavik area, built on permafrost ground many years ago, witnessed increased mudslides as underlying permafrost melted due to global warming. Thirdly, active rock glaciers could lead to thermokarst formation, a terrain created by thawing of ice-rich permafrost, affecting the hydrology, ecology, and carbon cycle of the region.
The Jhelum Basin of the Kashmir Himalayas
Drained by the upper Jhelum River, the Jhelum basin contributes to the larger Indus River system. The river originates from a deep spring at Vernag at Anantnag, situated at the base of the Pir Panjal range in the Kashmir Valley. It then passes through Srinagar and Wular Lake before entering Pakistan, where it joins the Chenab River. Its primary tributary is the Kishenganga (Neelum) River, and the Kunhar River is another significant tributary.
Mitigating Impacts and Future Steps
With the potential impacts of climate change looming large in the Himalayan region, permafrost research is of critical importance. Future steps should include allocating resources for further studies on the hydrological potential of active rock glaciers, developing early warning systems in regions with active rock glaciers, and integrating findings from permafrost studies into climate change adaptation plans. Additionally, awareness needs to be raised among communities, planners, and policymakers about the risks associated with permafrost degradation.
Previous UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
In the 2021 Prelims, a question was asked regarding which river joins the Indus River directly – the answer being the Sutlej. In 2013, a question was asked about where most of the planet’s freshwater exists, with the majority found as ice caps and glaciers and the largest proportion of remaining freshwater existing as groundwater. Lastly, a 2017 Mains question asked about how the cryosphere affects global climate.
