Disappearing East African Tropical Glaciers: Study

Context: 

Recently, A study published in the journal ‘Environment Research’ finds that the tropical glaciers in East Africa are shrinking at a fast pace due to Climatic Factors.

East Africa is losing its Tropical Glaciers: Key Findings of Study 

• In East Africa, total glacierization is estimated to be only 1.36 km2.

• The area of Tropical glaciers was observed to have shrunk with 0.069 sq km on Mount Kenya, 0.38 sq km in the Rwenzori Range(Uganda/DRC), and 0.98 sq km in Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). 
• The glacier area in these three regions of East Africa is retained below 10% compared to the first observation around 1900.
• The overall area has declined by more than half of its early 21st-century extent. 
• Being mainly controlled by high-altitude hygric seasonality, These glaciers are precious indicators of tropical climate variability and climate change.
• Other High Mountain Ranges like the Southern American Andes & Indonesian Sudirman Range that contain tropical Glaciers have one thing in common: They are situated near the Equator & influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

Important Tropical Glaciers in East Africa

• In Rwenzori Ranges (Uganda/DRC): Mount Stanley, Mount Speke and Mount Baker.
• In Kilimanjaro (Tanzania):  Northern Ice Field, Southern Ice Field, Kersten Glacier. 
• Kenya: Northey and Darwin glaciers, Lewis Glacier. 
• Other Important Glaciers in African Continent: Credner Glacier and Furtwangler Glacier
• Mount Kilimanjaro: 
• • It is  located in Tanzania, East Africa, is a dormant volcano and 
  • Highest peak on the African continent with its summit towering at 5,895 meters above sea level
  • Comprises three distinct volcanic cones—Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira—Kibo.

News Source: DTE

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