Geography – Current Affairs (December 2025)

GS1/Geography

Pamir-Karakoram Anomaly

Why in News?

Scientists are studying deep ice cores from the Kon-Chukurbashi ice cap in Tajikistan to understand the Pamir-Karakoram anomaly. This anomaly is observed where glaciers have either remained stable or have even grown, despite the ongoing global warming.

Pamir-Karakoram Anomaly

• Definition: The Pamir-Karakoram anomaly describes the surprising stability or slight growth of glaciers in the Karakoram and parts of the Pamir mountain ranges since the late 1900s. In contrast, glaciers in regions like the Himalayas, Alps, Andes, and Rocky Mountains have been shrinking due to global warming.
• Proposed Causes:
  • Increased Winter Precipitation: Heavier snowfall during winter helps to replenish glaciers, counteracting the melting that occurs in summer.
  • High, Steep Topography: The steep and high terrain of these mountains provides shade for the ice and creates high-altitude zones where snow and ice can accumulate.
  • Climate Patterns: The moisture that contributes to glacier growth primarily comes from Western Disturbances, rather than the Indian Monsoon.
  • Summer Cloud Cover: Increased cloud cover during the summer months may help reduce the amount of solar radiation that reaches the glaciers, thereby decreasing the rate of melting.
  • Protective Debris Cover: A layer of debris on the surface of glaciers can insulate the ice below, slowing down the melting process.
• Geographic Scope: The anomaly is mainly observed in the Karakoram Range, particularly in regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Ladakh. It also extends into the western Pamir Mountains, which are located in Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
• Recent Findings: Recent scientific studies using advanced methods like satellite altimetry (for example, ICESat-2) and gravity data from the GRACE mission have shown that the Pamir-Karakoram anomaly is weakening. However, evidence from field-based ice-core studies is still being analyzed.
• Significance for India: The glaciers in the Karakoram Range are crucial because they feed the Indus River and its tributaries. The relative stability of these glaciers is important for maintaining more reliable river flows into regions like Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.

Karakoram Ranges

• Overview: The Karakoram Range is situated in the heart of Asia and is part of a complex system of mountains. This system includes the Hindu Kush to the west, the Pamirs to the northwest, the Kunlun Mountains to the northeast, and the Himalayas to the southeast.
• Geographic Spread: The Karakoram Range spans across several countries, including Afghanistan, China, India, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.
• Highest Peak: The tallest peak in the Karakoram Range is K2, which stands at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) above sea level. K2 is also known as Mount Godwin-Austen and is the second-highest mountain on Earth, following Mount Everest, which is 8,849 meters (29,032 feet) tall.

GS1/Geography

Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme

Why in News?

India is set to enhance its preparedness for tsunamis by designating over 100 villages in the Indian Ocean region as tsunami-ready under the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme.

Key Takeaways

• This initiative aims to foster resilient communities through awareness and preparedness strategies.
• The programme is developed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.
• Communities must meet 12 established indicators to earn the 'Tsunami Ready' certification.
• Recognition is renewable every four years, emphasizing ongoing preparedness and community involvement.

Additional Details

• Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme: An international initiative aimed at enhancing coastal community preparedness by implementing strategies that protect lives, livelihoods, and property from tsunamis.
• Aim: The primary goal is to improve preparedness for tsunamis through community awareness and the establishment of effective response mechanisms.
• Methodology: Communities aspiring to achieve this recognition must fulfill 12 indicators related to assessment, preparedness, and response efforts.
• Tsunami-ready villages: These are communities that demonstrate high levels of awareness regarding tsunami hazards, effective mapping, public evacuation displays, 24-hour warning systems, and regular participation in mock drills.

The Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme represents a significant step towards safeguarding coastal communities from the threats posed by tsunamis, ensuring that they are well-prepared and resilient in the face of natural disasters.