Space and field-based investigations towards understanding the characteristics and origin of an inhabited rock glacier in NW Himalaya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54991/jop.2024.1870Keywords:
Rock glacier, Morphology, Moraine, Relict lake sediments, NW HimalayaAbstract
The current space and field-based investigation of an important (inhabited) rock glacier (RG) in the north-western (NW) Himalaya aims to comprehend its morphological properties and genesis. Although the RG displays an inactive frontal lobe, small active lobes may be seen in the upper reaches, > 3900 m asl. The permafrost distribution map reveals that the rock glacier contains either discontinuous or sporadic permafrost. We propose that, while the rock glacier does not show indications of an active front, small RG lobes do show movement in the upper reaches. Furthermore, the presence of a well-preserved right lateral moraine implies that this RG originated from a previously glaciated valley and is supported and sustained by a constant supply of talus (rock debris) from the present sedimentary catchment to the northeast. The quick thawing of the RGs will significantly impact and perhaps lead to the complete migration of the inhabitants to other areas.
सारांश
उत्तर-पश्चिमी हिमालय में स्थित एक महत्वपूर्ण आवासितशैल हिमनद (रॉक ग्लेशियर)की वर्तमान उपग्रह तथा क्षेत्रीय आधारित जांच का उद्देश्य इसके आकारिकीय गुणों तथा उत्पत्ति को समझना है।हालांकि शैल हिमनद (रॉक ग्लेशियर) एक निष्क्रिय अग्र लोब को प्रदर्शित करता है, ऊपरी क्षेत्रों में, > 3900 मीटर समुद्र तल से ऊपर, छोटे सक्रिय लोब देखे जा सकते हैं। स्थायी तुषारभूमि वितरण मानचित्र से पता चलता है कि रॉक ग्लेशियर में या तो असतत या छिटपुट स्थायी तुषार-भूमि उपस्थित है। हम प्रस्तावित करते हैं कि, जब रॉक ग्लेशियर सक्रिय अग्र भाग के संकेत नहीं दिखाता है, ऊपरी क्षेत्रों में छोटे रॉक ग्लेशियर लोब्स में गति दिखती है। इसके अतिरिक्त, एक अच्छी तरह से संरक्षित दाहिने पार्श्व हिमोढ़ की उपस्थिति यह इंगित करती है कि यह रॉक ग्लेशियर पूर्व में हिमाच्छादित घाटी से उत्पन्न हुआ है तथा वर्तमान अवसादी जलग्रहण क्षेत्र से उत्तर-पूर्व दिशा में लगातार शैल संबंधी अवशेष (टैलस) की आपूर्ति द्वारा समर्थित तथा स्थापित रखा गया है। शैल हिमनद (रॉक ग्लेशियरों) का तेजी से पिघलना महत्वपूर्ण रूप से प्रभावित करेगा और शायद निवासियों के पूर्ण रूप से अन्य क्षेत्रों में पलायन का कारण बनेगा।
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