In April and May, Chinese scientists conduct an environmental, climate and geological research expedition to the East Rongbuk Glacier (elevation 6550 meters) on Mt. Qomolangma, also known as Mt. Everest. The world’s highest mountain not only carries the title of the “world´s third pole,” but has also been called a “the test paper” for the global environment due to its critical role in climate change research. By taking samples of the ice core on the East Rongbuk Glacier, scientists hope to measure the effects of global warming. CCTV will have an exclusive report for this great event...

In 1963, 10 years after human beings first summited the world´s highest mountain, a Sherpa guide witnessed human waste, discarded climbing gears and other rubbish on the summit and asserted that parts of the mountain had become "the highest junkyard". With more than 500 ascents on average per year, waste left by climbers on the mountain has become an increasingly large problem. Photo Gallary: Mt. Qomolangma threatened by daily waste

Great Achievements of Chinese Scientists in Ice Core Drilling

First deep ice core drilled at
East Rongbuk Glacier

● Time: May, 2011

● Location: East Rongbuk Glacier

● Altitude: 6550 m

● Length: 116.8 m deep ice core

Highest ice core around the world

● Name: Dasuopu ice core

● Time: 1997

● Location: Xixabangma Peak, the Himalayas

● Altitude: 7200 m

Deepest and oldest ice core
at low and middle latitudes

● Time: 1992

● Location: Guliya Ice Cap, West Kunlun Mountains

● Length: 309 m ice core

Environmental Status of Mt. Qomolangma

Melting glaciers

When conducting a scientific investigation at the Rongbuk Glacier, the Chinese Tem for Surveying Mt. Qonglangma found the glaciers on this side have been shrinking rapidly. Compared with 2002, in 2005, the upper limit of the ablation zone of the East Rongbuk Glacier went up 50 meters, from 6350 to 6400 meters above sea level, within three years.

Mounting Garbage

In an endeavor where the burden of extra weight can mean the difference between life and death, it´s not surprising that the custom was to leave debris such as used oxygen tanks and food containers, where they would likely be covered by snow soon enough anyway. But the trash has accumulated over time and, sadly, global warming has meant less snow and more exposure for what was discarded.

◆ What is an ice core?

An ice core is a core sample that is typically removed from an ice sheet, most commonly from the polar ice caps of Antarctica, Greenland or from high mountain glaciers elsewhere.

◆ Why are ice cores so important?

Ice cores contain an abundance of information about climate. Inclusions in the snow of each year remain in the ice, such as wind-blown dust, ash, bubbles of atmospheric gas and radioactive substances.

Fighting for Better Ecosystem

Purify world´s highest peak

Mt. Qomolangma, the former "life-forbidden zone," has now become a "tourist hotspot," with more and more rubbish left by climbers.

´Saving Mt. Qomolangma´: Garbage to get a form of art

A group of more than 15 Nepalese artists have currently been busy in carving out artistic idols from the garbage collected from the highest peak Mount Qomolangma (Mt. Everest), said artists involving in the project called Mount Everest 8848 Art Project.

Solar energy for clean Qomolangma

Besides climbing the world´s highest peak Mount Qomolangma, mountaineers also use solar power to ensure Mount Qomolangma´s environment remains as clean as possible.

World´s highest national park for protecting ecology

The world´s highest national park at altitude opened on Friday in southwest China´s Tibet Autonomous Region. The Qomolangma National Park, located along the border of China and Nepal, covers six counties of the region´s Xigaze Prefecture with a total area of 78,000 square kilometers.

Mt. Qomolangma, which in Tibetan dialect means “Mother Goddess of the Universe,” is the highest peak in the world at 8,848 meters (29,028 feet) above sea level, and straddles the border between China and Nepal. The mountain is a paradise for adventurers, who ascend the peak from the South Col (Nepal) as well as the North Col (China) routes. Historically, approximately 77 percent of summit expeditions have been successful; but advanced mountaineering experience is crucial to success as conditions can change quickly at high altitude.

Brave Summiteers of Mt. Qomolangma

Youngest person to conquer Qomolangma

A 13-year-old American, Jordan Romero, from California, has become the youngest to scale the world´s highest mountain after he reached the summit.

21-time summitter with Guinness World Record

Nepal´s mountaineering legend Appa Sherpa was awarded with Guinness World Record (GWR) for climbing the highest mountain Mt. Qomolangma for 21 times on Monday.

"World cyclist" starts Mt. Qomolangma ascent

Pushkar Shah, who is also known as "world cyclist" after he earned national and international fame for travelling to more than 150 countries on his bicycle, began his first attempt to scale the world tallest peak Mt. Qomolangma.

First blind person conquers Mount Qomolangma

Despite losing his vision at the age of 13, Erik Weihenmayer has become one of the most accomplished adventurers in the world. He is the only blind person who has reached the summit of Mount Qomolangma and the tallest peak on each continent.

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