Monitoring of glaciers in the Himalayas The world’s highest mountain range is also home to a very large number of glaciers. Among them, there is the Siachen glacier (35.5°N, 77.0°E), the largest glacier outside the polar region. People in the Himalayas have adapted to the special living conditions caused by the unique circumstances of this region. But people have also settled into areas which have been or have become endangered over the years. In the case of an outburst, glacial lakes may become such a risk for people living in these areas. The photo shows a glacial lake outburst flood in 1977 at Nare glacier in Khumbu Himal. It caused severe downstream erosions and destabilised the terrace of the village.       Glacial lake outburst, Nare glacier       This case study includes: a background section a worksheet introduction exercises You can access them by clicking on the links on the right.       Last update: 11 April 2013 Monitoring of glaciers in the Himalayas  •  Glaciers (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Global_EN/SEM93O0SAKF_0.html)  •  Investigation area (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Global_EN/SEM69O0SAKF_0.html)  •  Khumbu's glaciers (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Global_EN/SEMJFO0SAKF_0.html)  •  Imja glacier (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Global_EN/SEMCHO0SAKF_0.html) Exercises  •  Location of the study area, Khumbu Himal (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Global_EN/SEM3SO0SAKF_0.html)  •  Development of glacial lakes in the Khumbu Himal (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Global_EN/SEM1AP0SAKF_0.html)  •  Glacier retreat at Honku glacier (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Global_EN/SEM2EP0SAKF_0.html) Links  •  Further Reading (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Eduspace_Global_EN/SEM9HP0SAKF_0.html) Eduspace - Software  •  LEOWorks 3 (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/LEOWorks3.exe) Eduspace - Download  •  glacier_worksheet1.zip (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/eduspace/glacier_worksheet1.zip)  •  glacier_worksheet2.zip (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/eduspace/glacier_worksheet2.zip)  •  glacier_worksheet3.zip (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/eduspace/glacier_worksheet3.zip)