Mt. Everest's highest glacier is a sentinel for accelerating ice loss

Mountain glacier systems are decreasing in volume worldwide yet relatively little is known about their upper reaches (>5000 m). Here we show, based on the world's highest ice core and highest automatic weather stations, the significant and increasing role that melting and sublimation have on the mass loss of even Mt. Everest's highest glacier (South Col Glacier, 8020 m). Estimated contemporary thinning rates approaching similar to 2 m a(-)(1) water equivalent (w.e.) indicate several decades of accumulation may be lost on an annual basis now that glacier ice has been exposed. These results identify extreme sensitivity to glacier surface type for high altitude Himalayan ice masses and forewarn of rapidly emerging impacts as Mt. Everest's highest glacier appears destined for rapid retreat.

Automated summary

Based on the data from the world's highest ice core and highest automatic weather stations, this study reveals the significant contribution of melting and sublimation to the mass loss of Mt. Everest's highest glacier, South Col Glacier. The estimated thinning rates indicate that decades of accumulation may be lost annually now that the glacier ice has been exposed, highlighting the extreme sensitivity of Himalayan ice masses to glacier surface type. These findings warn of the emerging impacts as Mt. Everest's highest glacier is expected to undergo rapid retreat.