Image:Glacial lakes, Bhutan.jpg

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This image shows the termini of the glaciers in the Bhutan-Himalaya. Glacial lakes have been rapidly forming on the surface of the debris-covered glaciers in this region during the last few decades. USGS researchers have found a strong correlation between increasing temperatures and glacial retreat in this region.

According to a joint press release issued by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, the great majority of the world’s glaciers appear to be declining at rates equal to or greater than long-established trends. This image from the ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) instrument aboard NASA’s Terra satellite shows the termini of the glaciers in the Bhutan-Himalaya. Glacial lakes have been rapidly forming on the surface of the debris-covered glaciers in this region during the last few decades.

According to Jeffrey Kargel, a USGS scientist, glaciers in the Himalaya are wasting at alarming and accelerating rates, as indicated by comparisons of satellite and historic data, and as shown by the widespread, rapid growth of lakes on the glacier surfaces. According to a 2001 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, scientists estimate that surface temperatures could rise by 1.4°C to 5.8°C by the end of the century. The researchers have found a strong correlation between increasing temperatures and glacier retreat.

http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.php?id=2876

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This image was selected as a picture of the day for March 21, 2007. It was captioned as followed: English: Glaciers and lakes at the edges of the Himalaya in Bhutan. Deutsch: Gletscher und Seen an den Flanken des Himalaya in Bhutan. Français : Glaciers et lacs sur les flancs de l' Himalaya au Bhoutan Español: Glaciares y lagos a los costados del Himalaya en Bután. Česky: Družicový snímek himálajského ledovce v Bhútánu Deutsch: Gletscher und Seen an den Flanken des Himalaya in Bhutan. English: Glaciers and lakes at the edges of the Himalaya in Bhutan. Esperanto: Glaĉeroj kaj lagoj apud limoj de Himalajo en Butano Español: Glaciares y lagos a los costados del Himalaya en Bután. Français : Glaciers et lacs sur les flancs de l' Himalaya au Bhoutan Magyar : Tavak és gleccserek a Himalája lábainál, Bhután Italiano: Ghiacciai e laghi sui confini dell' Himalaya in Bhutan. Nederlands: Gletsjers en meren aan de randen van de Himalaya in Bhutan. Polski: Lodowce i jeziora na granicy Himalajów, Bhutan. Русский: Ледники и озера на хребтах Гималаев в Бутане. Slovenčina: Družicová snímka himálajskeho ľadovca v Bhutanu Svenska: Bortsmältande glaciärer på Himalaya i Bhutan. Türkçe: Bhutan'da Himalayaların eteğinde buzullar ve göller. 简体中文: 喜马拉雅山的 冰川和湖泊， 不丹境内 繁體中文: 喜馬拉雅山的 冰川和湖泊， 不丹境內 Bân-lâm-gú: Bhutan hit-tah ê Himalaya soanⁿ-téng ê peng-khe kap ô͘-po̍h

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