China has launched a scientific expedition to Mount Anyemaqen, a crucial water conservation area at the headwaters of the Yellow River. The mission aims to study the impact of climate change on glaciers, permafrost, and water resources in the region.
On Tuesday, researchers gathered in Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, to embark on this critical journey. Mount Anyemaqen, located in the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is the largest snow-capped mountain in the Yellow River source area. Home to over 40 glaciers covering more than 100 square kilometers, this mountain plays a vital role in maintaining water levels in the source lakes that feed the Yellow River.
“With global warming, the glaciers of Mount Anyemaqen are experiencing profound changes,” said Professor Hou Guangliang from Qinghai Normal University’s School of Geographic Sciences. “We’re seeing declining glacier surface elevations, rapidly retreating glacier tongues, and more frequent ice avalanches.”
The expedition aims to monitor these changes to better understand how the region is responding to climate change. The findings are expected to guide long-term ecological protection and restoration strategies, helping to safeguard water security and biodiversity in the Yellow River basin.
The mission is a collaborative effort led by the Sanjiangyuan Ecological Protection Foundation, the Three-River-Source National Park administration, and Qinghai Normal University.
The Yellow River, spanning 5,464 kilometers, originates in Qinghai Province and winds through several provincial regions before emptying into the Bohai Sea. As China’s second-longest river, it is often referred to as the “mother river” and holds immense cultural and historical significance.
