Lesson 16: Threat of Global Warming

Question 1

What is happening to most world glaciers?

Answer 1

Retreating

Question 2

Glaciers in the Rocky Mountains have lost between…?

Answer 2

25- 75% of their mass since 1850

Question 3

Area glaciers covered in Tajikistan in 1949?

Answer 3

18,500 km2

Question 4

Area of land glaciers covered in Tajikistan in 2012?

Answer 4

11,000 km2

Question 5

% decrease in glaciers in Tajikistan?

Answer 5

38%

Question 6

% if Himalayan glaciers in rapid retreat?

Answer 6

85%

Question 7

How much has the Khumbu glacier in the Himalayas retreated by since 1953?

Answer 7

5km

Question 8

Area of glacial retreat in Peru and Bolivia in last 30 years?

Answer 8

25%

Question 9

Name some countries that are reliant of Himalayan meltwater?

Answer 9

Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Myanmar, India

Question 10

How many will face water shortages with a reduction of meltwater into the Ganges-Brahmaputra system?

Answer 10

500 million

Question 11

% of India’s land affected by meltwater shortages?

Answer 11

40%

Question 12

Glacial outburst flood in which regions of Nepal in 1985 caused how high a surge?

Answer 12

Bhote Koshi and Dudh Koshi rivers
10-15m high

Question 13

What was damaged in the glacial outburst flood in Nepal?

Answer 13

Namche Small Hydro Project

Question 14

How will river discharge be affected by increasing meltwater?

Answer 14

-Summer months glacial ablation is at its highest
Meltwater and discharge will increase
-Increase sediment yield
-Water becomes increasingly cloudy and sediment-laden, affecting the water quality