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Fireworks and other magic from the universe over Everest advanced basecamp at 20k feet. I’m not totally sure what is going on with these spectral colors emanating from the peak but we were really lucky to capture it.⠀
Over Everest In December, Astronaut Randy Bresnik spent 4 days capturing and sharing images of Mt. Everest at different angles from the International Space Station. This is a selection of his shots. You can find more at the tweets linked below. -JBB Image credits: https://twitter.com/AstroKomrade/status/940991847819808772 https://twitter.com/AstroKomrade/status/940995346532130819 https://twitter.com/AstroKomrade/status/940999617684164608 https://twitter.com/AstroKomrade/status/940988314630443008
MOUNT EVEREST
Mount Everest is also known as Sagarmatha (Sanskrit and Nepali), Chomolungma (Tibetan), and Zhumulangma Feng (Chinese). It is the highest mountain on Earth above sea level, reaching 8,848 metres (29,029 feet) in elevation. It is located in the Himalayas mountain range, found on the border between Nepal and Tibet at 27°59′ N, 86°56′ E. Its summit is the fifth farthest from the centre of the Earth; as the Earth bulges at the equator, mountains such as Mt Chimborazo in Ecuador have summits that are farther away. The English name of Everest was given to the mountain in 1865, in honour of George Everest, who was a Welsh surveyor; beforehand it was known as Peak XV.
The first successful ascent to the summit of Mt Everest was achieved in 1953 by New Zealand beekeeper and mountaineer Edmund Hilary, along with Nepali sherpa Tenzing Norgay. Since then, thousands have successfully climbed to the summit though hundreds have also died in the attempt. Many dangers await potential climbers, including high winds, bad weather and altitude sickness. The snow level on the mountain is highest in September and lowest in May.
The Himalayan ranges were upthrust as a result of the Indian-Australian Plate subducting under the Eurasian Plate. The two plates began colliding 50 million years ago and the Himalayas began rising around 25 to 30 million years ago. The Great Himalayas themselves began to form their current shape during the Pleistocene (~2,600,000 to 11,700 years ago). GPS suggest Mt Everest itself moves a few centimetres to the northeast, and rises a fraction of that amount each year.
The mountain comprises several layers of rocks folded back on themselves (nappes). Each formation on Everest is separated from the others by low-angle faults. Metamorphic schists and gneisses intruded by granites are found below 7,00m elevation. Between 7,000 and 8,600 m (23,000 and 28,200 ft) elevation beds of marble, phyllite and schist can be found. Around 8,600m elevation and above, Ordovician limestone is interbedded with dolomite and siltstone.
A species of jumping spider called Euophrys omnisuperstes has been found at elevations up to 6,700 metres (22,000 ft) on Mt Everest. A moss that grows at 6,480m (21,260 ft) has also been found on the mountain.
-TEL
Earth’s Global Thaw Reaches Everest.
Researchers at the Meeting of the Americas in Cancun, Mexico have confirmed that glaciers in the Mount Everest region are shrinking. The glaciers are said to have shrunk by 13% in the last 50 years. Furthermore, the snowline has moved upward by 180 metres (590 feet).
The research group track changes in temperature, precipitation and glacier size at Everest and the surrounding Sagarmatha National Park. There galciers have retreated an average of 400m (1,300 feet) since 1962. Over the last 2 decades, precipitation has reduced by 100mm (3.9”) and temperatures have risen by 0.6 °C (1 degree Fahrenheit.)
Continued shrinking of the glaciers in the Himalayas may become problematic in the future-the glaciers provide water and power for roughly 1.5 billion people.
-Jean
Further information: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/05/130516-everest-shrinking-ice-glaciers-science-global-warming/
This is the view from Island Peak, one of the most popular climbs in the Himalayas. The high peak that dominates the view at the start is Lhotse, the 4th tallest peak on Earth. It blocks the view of Everest.
