Sign In
Learn bits
Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

13/01/24 07:30 AM IST

Over 100 active permafrost structures identified in Jhelum basin, can cause catastrophic disasters in future: Study

In News
  • The Kashmir Himalayas are dotted with permafrost structures called ‘rock glaciers’, with significant ice volumes within, a new study mapped.
Major Highlights
  • More than 100 of these had ridges and bulges on their body, which indicates that the permafrost in them has started moving or melting.
  • These are called ‘active glacial rocks’ and may contribute to natural disasters as the region warms.
Rock glaciers
  • Rock glaciers are a type of landform that consists of a mixture of rock fragments and ice.
  • Rock glaciers typically form in mountainous regions where there is a combination of permafrost, rock debris, and ice.
  • Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer on or under Earth's surface. It consists of soil, gravel, and sand, usually bound together by ice.
  • One common scenario involves a pre-existing glacier that accumulates debris and rocks as it moves. Over time, if the glacier recedes or thaws, the debris-covered ice can transform into a rock glacier.
  • These rock glaciers occur in highly elevated regions with steep slopes.
  • To the naked eye, the rock glaciers look like regular ground, they require a geomorphological view for proper identification.
Thermokarst
  • This is a type of terrain that is characterized by irregular surfaces of marshy hollows and small hummocks (ridges), formed by the thawing of ice-rich permafrost.
  • The active rock glaciers could lead to the formation of thermokarst features, such as ponds or lakes, that could alter the hydrology, ecology, and carbon cycle of the region.
  • The presence of water bodies near Kulgam town, Jammu and Kashmir suggests the existence of permafrost underground, resembling 'thermokarst lakes', which can pose further risks.
Jhelum basin
  • The Jhelum basin is drained by the upper Jhelum River, which originates from a deep spring at Vernag at Anantnag, situated at the base of the Pir Panjal range in the Kashmir Valley, the river passes through Srinagar and Wular Lake before entering Pakistan.
  • As a tributary of the Indus River, the Jhelum contributes to the larger river system in the Indian subcontinent.
  • The river flows through Jammu and Kashmir and into Pakistan, where it joins the Chenab River.
  • The primary tributary is the Kishenganga (Neelum) River.
Source- DTE

More Related Current Affairs View All

23 Sep

Quad grouping

'Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States, where he will participate in the fourth Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware.' Quad s the grouping of four de

Read More

21 Sep

India Achieves Tier 1 Status in Global Cybersecurity Index 2024

' India has secured Tier 1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).' The GCI is a comprehensive assessm

Read More

21 Sep

A new White Revolution

'Operation Flood, launched in 1970, ushered in the White Revolution and transformed the dairy sector in India.' Dairy cooperatives procured 660 lakh kg of milk per day in 2023-2

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps