After over 4,000 years apart, Tibet's largest lake spills into nearby water body. Here's why
Siling Lake
Tibet's two lakes have undergone a mega metamorphosis, spilling into each other after 4,000 years. Why? Due to climate change.
The nation's largest inland lake Siling has spilled into another nearby water body, Bange, a salt lake.
A sign of danger?
According to a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report, scientists monitoring the two lakes on the Tibetan plateau say that they could merge.
The two lakes are about four miles (6.44 km) apart and have shared no hydrological connection for over 4,000 years — potentially as far back as 8,200 years when sea levels rose due to glacier melting.
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In September 2023 Siling spilled into an ancient riverbed that lies between the two lakes.
A team led by Lei Yanbin, a professor at the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has published an analysis of the changes at Siling Lake. The study was published in the peer-reviewed Science Bulletin in July.
"Real-time monitoring and early warnings for critical lake water level changes are needed to protect surrounding roads, bridges, and villages from emerging threats," he said.
What is happening to Siling?
In the past two decades, Siling has expanded significantly. In the 1970s, the lake covered an area of around 1,640 sq km (630 sq miles). By 2023, the lake had swollen to 2,445 sq km (945 sq miles) according to Lei's analysis.
"While Bange water level decreased by about one metre [3 feet] over the last decade, Siling rose by four metres [13 feet]," wrote the researcher.
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If Siling and Bange merge, it could have significant implications for people living nearby.
"The outburst flood … will lead to the rapid expansion of Bange," said Lei, adding "Satellite data revealed that within a month of the overflow, Bange’s area had increased by more than 10 per cent".
According to him, the immediate cause of the overflow was a steady rise in water levels over the last 20 years — a cumulative rise of about 13 metres between 1998 and 2023. Heavy rainfall in August and September of last year pushed the water to the point of overflowing.
He said this was caused by climate change. The team estimates that by 2100 the Siling lake's water levels will potentially rise by another 16.8 metres. They expect that Siling and Bange will merge around 2030.
(With inputs from agencies)
