ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Himalayan Water Towers

Himalayan Water Towers

The Himalaya contain many of the world’s tallest mountains as well as many of the world’s glaciers. The resulting meltwater from these glaciers and snowpack contributes to the water supply for more than one billion people.

Grades

5 - 8

Subjects

Anthropology, Earth Science, Climatology, Geology, Geography, Physical Geography

Image

The Highest Water Tower

Over the course of the year, densely accumulated snowpack on mountains like Mount Everest slowly melts and flows down into rivers and streams, making these natural water towers invaluable sources of freshwater for surrounding regions.

Photograph by Vixit
Over the course of the year, densely accumulated snowpack on mountains like Mount Everest slowly melts and flows down into rivers and streams, making these natural water towers invaluable sources of freshwater for surrounding regions.

The Himalaya contain many of the world’s tallest mountains as well as many of the world’s glaciers. The resulting meltwater from these glaciers and snowpack contributes to the water supply for the people in the surrounding region, much like water towers hold and distribute water for a town or city. Because the Himalayas play a crucial role in supplying water to the continent, they are sometimes called the “water towers” of Asia.

The Himalaya derive their name from the Sanskrit words meaning “abode of snow.” It is an apt name for these towering landmarks, because the Himalaya are home to vast quantities of ice and snow. Spanning more than 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) and several countries such as China, Bhutan, and Nepal, the Himalaya are an impressive sight made famous by the tallest peak above sea level, Mount Everest. This mountain system creates a barrier between the subcontinent Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau, and contains the third largest number of glaciers in the world, only surpassed by the Arctic and Antarctic. This includes Khumbu Glacier on Everest, the highest glacier in the world. Because of this, the Himalaya are often dubbed the “Third Pole.”

These Himalayan Glaciers are a vital resource to the people of the region. The meltwater from the glaciers and snowpack drains into 10 river basins in Asia and several major rivers, including the Indus and Ganges. This snow and glacial melt, coupled with monsoon season rains, provides water for more than one billion people.

Scientists are currently studying the effect of climate change on the mountains. Some studies have detected a decrease in the amount of snowpack in parts of the mountain chain; this has caused some scientists to fear that climate change might lead to water scarcity in the region. In recent years, scientists have also observed increased glacial melt, often called glacial retreat, due to global warming.

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Director
Tyson Brown, National Geographic Society
Author
National Geographic Society
Production Managers
Gina Borgia, National Geographic Society
Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society
Program Specialists
Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society, National Geographic Society
Margot Willis, National Geographic Society
Producer
Clint Parks
Intern
Roza Kavak
other
Last Updated

June 25, 2024

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