Ladakh’s giant ‘rivers of ice’ are slowing as the mountains warm

Glaciers look still — but in reality they are constantly moving as they slowly carry ice from high mountains to the lower reaches.

A new study has reported that glaciers in the Zanskar region of Ladakh are now moving more slowly than they did 30 years ago, offering new clues about how climate change is affecting these giant ‘rivers of ice’.

The Zanskar region is home to some of the largest, most extensive glaciers in the Himalaya. They are natural reservoirs of freshwater, which they release as meltwater in the warmer months. This seasonal supply sustains rivers, ecosystems, agriculture, and local communities in the otherwise arid environment of Ladakh.