Shrinkage of the Khumbu Glacier, east Nepal from 1978 to 1995

Surface lowering of the Khumbu Glacier, a large debris-covered glacier in the Nepal Himalayas, was detected by means of ground surveying in 1978 and in 1995. Over this interval the surface of the glacier lowered about 10 m throughout the debris-covered ablation area. Lowering in the lowermost part of the glacier, where surface ablation may be negligible, might result from subglacial meltwater interaction. Indication that ice flow is slowing suggests that shrinkage may accelerate even if ablation conditions remain unchanged.