Most glaciers in the Himalayas are thought to be receding, but many areas are poorly studied. The project described in this article aimed to investigate environmental change in the Indian Himalaya by under taking geomorphological mapping of a glaciated landscape using freely available remotely sensed data (Google Earth imagery).
This study was based around Pensi La, in the Suru Valley, Zanskar, Ladakh (see Figure 1). Pensi La is approximately 4,400 m above sea level, with local mountain peaks reaching around 6,000 m above sea level. The area contains a number of lakes and glaciers (including the Drang Drung and Pensilungpa glaciers). Two rivers originate here, the Suru and the Stod, both tributaries of the Indus. The Pensilungpa glacier contributes to the Suru, while the Drang Drung glacier contributes meltwaters to the Stod.
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