Asia's glaciers are retreating, which could mean drought, plus crop losses upstream and flood conditions downstream for millions of people.  A report published by the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with 39 international scientists, looks at the status of glaciers throughout all of Asia, including Russia, China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan.  "Of particular interest are the Himalaya, where glacier behavior impacts the quality of life of tens of millions of people," USGS scientist Jane Ferrigno said in release. "Glaciers in the Himalaya are a major source of fresh water and supply meltwater to all of the rivers in northern India."  Glacier runoff is crucial to dry season farming throughout Asia. Climate change is causing earlier water runoff from glaciers, which adds to the flooding dangers posed by spring and summer rains.  Additionally, glacial melt water can build up nearby, increasing the possibility of disastrous outburst flooding, the report says.  Not all Asian glaciers are receding. Some, called "surge-type glaciers," which move forward more rapidly than average in a short period of time, are advancing. Glaciologists think this is likely due to unique local conditions.  However, in Bhutan, 66 glaciers have decreased 8.1% over the last 30 years, the report says.  Rapid changes in the Himalaya in India is shown by the 12% retreat of Chhota Shigri Glacier during the last 13 years, as well as retreat of the Gangotri Glacier since 1780, with 12% shrinkage of the main stem in the last 16 years.  While Russia, China and Afghanistan aren't normally thought of as home to large glaciers, in fact they are:  The report is the ninth in the series of 11 volumes to be published as the USGS Satellite Image Atlas of Glaciers of the World.  The Glaciers of Asia volume is also online.  To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor  . For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to  . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to
Asia's glaciers in retreat, could signal crop failure and flooding in the future - Science Fair: Science and Space News - USATODAY.com