Global heating is intensifying the interactions between climate and geological processes, leading to an increase in hazards such as landslides, floods, and earthquakes. Recent events in Nepal and Tibet, along with past incidents in the Indian Himalayas and Alaska, highlight this connection.
The planet's frozen water, known as the cryosphere, is receding rapidly due to rising temperatures. This retreat of glaciers exposes unstable ground, making areas prone to landslides. The thawing of permafrost also contributes to mountain instability, as rock masses become more likely to collapse.
Additionally, glacial meltwater is forming and expanding lakes in high altitudes. These lakes are increasingly vulnerable to overtopping or breaching, which can release large volumes of water into inhabited valleys below. The reduction of ice load in regions like Alaska and Greenland is also predicted to facilitate earthquake activity.