Glacial meltwater from the karst aquifer in Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is measured at 29 percent, showing substantial glacial recession, according to a study recently conducted by the Kunming branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinhua reported on Aug 10. 

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at dawn [Photo from Xinhua]

According to Zengcheng, a member of the research group, glacial recession is one of the many forms of global warming. Based on a hydrogeololgy survey of the mountain, their study group conducted systematic monitoring and study of the glacial meltwater, snowwater, spring water and rainfall in the Bazi district in Lijiang from 2011 to 2014.

The karst aquifer of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is located at the southeast edge of the Tibet Plateau. Back in 1957, there were 19 glaciers in the snow mountain, with a total area of 11.61 square kilometers. However, in 2009, only 13 glaciers were left, with an area of 4.042 square kilometers. The glaciers are shrinking dramatically.

The study of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is believed to have laid a solid foundation for further study of the karst ground water system of the Tibet Plateau.