Monsoon Shifts Accelerating Glacier Loss in Asia’s ‘Third Pole,’ New Study Finds

Monsoon Shifts Accelerating Glacier Loss in Asia’s ‘Third Pole,’ New Study Finds
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A recent study by researchers at the University of Utah and Virginia Tech reveals that rapid glacier melt across the highlands of Asia—often referred to as the “Third Pole”—is being driven not only by rising global temperatures but also by shifting monsoon patterns. The region, home to the largest volume of ice outside the Arctic and Antarctic, is losing more than 22 gigatons of ice annually—equivalent to 9 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Using satellite data from NASA’s GRACE mission, which tracks changes in Earth’s gravity field to monitor ice loss, the study provides the first direct evidence that seasonal shifts in rainfall and snowfall—driven by changes in South Asian monsoons—are accelerating glacier retreat. The Himalayas, particularly the central, western, and eastern ranges, were found to be most vulnerable.

Professor Sonam Sherpa of the University of Utah, the study’s lead author, warned that ongoing disruptions in monsoon timing and intensity could significantly increase ice loss, threatening water supplies for more than 1.4 billion people across South and Central Asia. These glaciers feed major rivers that support agriculture, hydropower, and drinking water.

In many parts of the central Himalayas, glaciers gain their mass during the summer monsoon rather than winter. At high elevations, cooler air typically turns heavy monsoon rainfall into snow, preserving the ice. However, global warming is shifting this balance—reducing snowfall, shortening the accumulation season, and in some cases turning snow into rain, resulting in faster glacier melt and less ice accumulation.

Co-author Professor Susanna Werth of Virginia Tech noted that this shift could change the dominant source of river flow from gradual glacial melt to direct rainfall, raising the risk of seasonal water shortages and long-term droughts in downstream areas.

The study also highlighted rising threats from glacial lake outburst floods, a growing hazard as retreating glaciers form unstable lakes. Such events can trigger landslides and river floods, posing severe risks to nearby communities.
Researchers also identified 3–8 year melt cycles linked to natural monsoon variability, raising concerns about how future climate shifts could further destabilize the region’s already fragile glacier systems.