Exploring cryospheric hazards with Google Earth
Langtang avalanche 2015
Questions:
1. Why is Nepal so prone to earthquakes?
• Because Nepal sits on the boundary of two tectonic plates.
2. How much did Langtang lower due to the earthquake?
• About 700m.
3. What was the force of the avalanche pressure wave and to what can you compare it?
• The force was 27MPa, can be compared to a tsunami wave
4. Why was there so much snow in spring 2015?
• There was an abnormality in the amount of snow that had fallen that winter.
5. Was the village rebuild and if so, how do you assess the safety of the new location?
• The village has been partially reconstructed, but due to Langtang's location on a
tectonic boundary, there is a high likelihood of another natural disaster such as a
landslide or avalanche occurring. It is recommended to keep a close watch on the
area to assess the risk of such events happening again.
Aru Co glacier collapse 2016
Questions:
1. How can you evaluate the surface of the collapsed glaciers?
• Before the mass movements of the Aru Co glaciers there was only one movement
noted as big as these movements were → The avalanches were 68 ± 2 × 10 6 m3 and
83 ± 2 × 10 6 m3 of size.
2. What is the reason of this catastrophic collapse, and can it be attributed to climate
change?
• External factors from climate and weather were responsible for the collapses,
massively reducing the ice mass's friction on the ground, leading to movement.
Climate change results in heavier weather, which could be a contributing factor in the
occurrence of avalanches. However, due to the infrequency of events of this
magnitude, it is challenging to determine whether climate change has a direct impact
on mass movements such as this.
3. Do you think this is going to happen more frequently in the future?
• Yes, I think so
4. How many casualties were there as result of this event?
• 0 deaths
5. Did such events happen before in other mountain ranges?
• Only one time, in the Caucasus Mountains.
Langtang avalanche 2015
Questions:
1. Why is Nepal so prone to earthquakes?
• Because Nepal sits on the boundary of two tectonic plates.
2. How much did Langtang lower due to the earthquake?
• About 700m.
3. What was the force of the avalanche pressure wave and to what can you compare it?
• The force was 27MPa, can be compared to a tsunami wave
4. Why was there so much snow in spring 2015?
• There was an abnormality in the amount of snow that had fallen that winter.
5. Was the village rebuild and if so, how do you assess the safety of the new location?
• The village has been partially reconstructed, but due to Langtang's location on a
tectonic boundary, there is a high likelihood of another natural disaster such as a
landslide or avalanche occurring. It is recommended to keep a close watch on the
area to assess the risk of such events happening again.
Aru Co glacier collapse 2016
Questions:
1. How can you evaluate the surface of the collapsed glaciers?
• Before the mass movements of the Aru Co glaciers there was only one movement
noted as big as these movements were → The avalanches were 68 ± 2 × 10 6 m3 and
83 ± 2 × 10 6 m3 of size.
2. What is the reason of this catastrophic collapse, and can it be attributed to climate
change?
• External factors from climate and weather were responsible for the collapses,
massively reducing the ice mass's friction on the ground, leading to movement.
Climate change results in heavier weather, which could be a contributing factor in the
occurrence of avalanches. However, due to the infrequency of events of this
magnitude, it is challenging to determine whether climate change has a direct impact
on mass movements such as this.
3. Do you think this is going to happen more frequently in the future?
• Yes, I think so
4. How many casualties were there as result of this event?
• 0 deaths
5. Did such events happen before in other mountain ranges?
• Only one time, in the Caucasus Mountains.
