Surprising Discovery at Asia's Karakoram Glacier Challenges Climate Change Beliefs

A startling new discovery at the world’s most militarised glacier may challenge climate change deniers as a surprising image from NASA shows that the Karakoram mountain range in Asia is gaining ice, contrary to the belief that glaciers are melting due to global warming.

The image taken by the International Space Station in 2023 reveals that the Siachen glacier is merging with the Lolofond and Teram Shehr glaciers. Siachen, located at the borders of China, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, is considered the most dangerous glacier on Earth due to its militarised status.

Pakistan and India have been in conflict over control of the region since 1984, with troops positioned on both sides of the glacier. This discovery offers hope amidst concerns of rapid glacier melting globally.

While this localised growth is not unique, with previous reports of Antarctica also showing a reversal in melting trends, a study from Shanghai researchers in May highlighted record ice formation in the southernmost continent since 2021.

Despite these instances of ice accumulation, climate change remains a significant threat. A 2023 study warned that the merger of the three glaciers in the Karakoram range may not be sustainable due to increasing global temperatures.

NASA Earth Observatory data indicates a 1.1° Celsius rise in Earth's temperature since 1880.