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| Glaciers of Ladakh | | |  K k kemmu
Siachen Glacier: Located in the eastern Karakoram range, Siachin is the highest battlefield in the world, with India maintaining strategic control since 1984 (Operation Meghdoot). The glacier’s melting waters are the main source of the Nubra River of Ladakh, which drains into the Shyok River. The Shyok in turn joins the 3000 KM long Indus River which flows through Pakistan. Thus, the glacier is a major source of the Indus and feeds the largest irrigation system in the world.
With a vast snowfield in the center, sides strewn with rocks and boulders and a length of about 76-km, Siachen is known as the largest glacier in the world outside the Polar Regions. The glacier and its tributaries are in the form of a vast ice field, particularly during the winter season when there is continuous snowfall for several weeks at a stretch. Thus, the glacier encompasses a vast area in winter and there are virtually no signs of recession. The average winter snowfall is more than 1000 cm (35 ft) and temperatures can dip to −50 °C.
Baltoro Glacier: Situated in the Karakoram range, known for trekking routes to K2, it is also important for glaciological studies.
Wide trough, vast snowfield as central part, sidewalls varying from steep to precipitous are among the various features of this glacier. The glacier has carved striations on the surrounding country rocks. Moving ice of this glacier has formed depressions, which serve as basins for numerous glacial lakes. Situated on the southern slopes of the central Karakoram Range in the Baltistan, Baltoro can be approached via Skardu in Ladakh. The Glacier Baltoro is surrounded by many magnificent high peaks. From this Baltoro glacier, the River Shigar is formed and it branches into the Indus River. The Baltoro Glacier is the second largest glacier in the Himalayan range with the length of 62 kms. The tributary Glacier Masherbrum Peak towards the north western slope and the Gasherbrum peak towards the South western slopes both in the Karakoram contribute to the main Baltoro Glaciers and are huge and important tributary glaciers.
Biafo Glacier: The Biafo glacier is located on the south-facing slopes of the Karakoram Range in the Baltistan area of Ladakh and can be approached via Skardu in Ladakh. It has a length of about 60 kms and descends from a large glacial trough. The main stream originating from this glacier flows into the Shigar River, which in turn is a tributary of the Indus River. Small valley glaciers feed the main glacier at various points. There is virtually no vegetation cover in this tract.
Chong Kumdan Glacier: Chong Kumdan Glacier is surrounded by high peaks on all sides. The melt-water flows into the Shyok River.
Hispar Glacier: Situated on the southern slopes of the Karakoram Range in the Baltistan area of Ladakh is Hispar Glacier. It is a very large glacier feeding the main stream of the Shigar River, which in turn drains into the Indus River. The main glacier has a length of about 60 kms and is the third largest glacier in the Himalayan region. The glacier is accessible via Skardu in Ladakh. Numerous smaller glaciers join the main glacier on both sides of the amphitheatre in which it is located. The central portion of this glacier is a vast snowfield while its sides contain debris eroded by the huge body of moving ice. The entire tract completely lacks vegetation of any kind.
Nubra Glacier: The Southern slopes of the Karakoram Range situate the magnificent Nubra Glacier. Nubra Glacier is a gigantic glacier placed in a huge amphitheatre like surrounding round with exceeding peaks and it is accessible passing through Leh in Ladakh. This glacier gives rise to the Nubra River, which in turn flows, into the Shyok River. Large tributary glaciers open into the main glacier. Which includes valley glaciers of Karakoram range that lies towards south eastern slopes of the Karakoram Range and the slopes of the Sasser La massif that lie towards north western slopes. The central part of this glacier acquires the appearance of an immeasurable snowfield. The sideways moraines are found beside the edges and at the crossroads of the main glacier and the tributary glaciers. No foliage or vegetation nurtures in this zone as it lies higher than the snowline.
Rakaposhi Glacier: Rakaposhi Glacier is located towards Karakoram Range in Gilgit on the slopes of Ladakh. The offshoot or the tributaries one may call it, that spring out from this massive glacier streams into the Hunza River.
Saltoro Glacier: Saltoro Glacier is located on the border of India and Pakistan. It is situated near a basin in a mountain in the Saltoro massif. The glacier feeds one of the two main streams of the Saltoro River.
Chogo Lungma Glacier: It lies near Hunza Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan and supplies water to the Indus River, crucial for irrigation and hydropower. |
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