Science
Experts identify ‘glacial collapse’ as cause of Nepal flooding
Specialists attribute the fatal inundations across Nepal and Tibet to a 'glacial collapse'.
Published 27 Aug, 18:20 · Pearl Hundred newsroom
Scientists are pointing to a glacier collapse as a key cause of the deadly floods that have swept through parts of Nepal and Tibet.
The glacier in question lies to the north of Langtang Lirung, a peak more than 7,000 metres above sea level in the Himalayas.
As Mark Poynting reports, it's not yet clear what caused the glacier to collapse, but some scientists say a massive landslide could have taken part of the glacier with it.
Produced by Tom Joyner. Graphics by Mesut Ersoz and Leo Scutt-Richter.
Stargazers across the globe gathered to witness a near-total lunar eclipse on Thursday night and early Friday morning.
Some parts of the world had a chance to see a rare 'Blood Moon', when the Sun, Earth and Moon line up in the night sky.
It comes just weeks after millions of people witnessed the most significant solar eclipse in nearly 30 years.
Floods have devastated the Nepal-Tibet border region which have destroyed towns and swept away bridges.
Hundreds of people have been reported dead and hundreds more missing.
BBC Verify has traced the path of the deadly flash flood using verified videos and satellite imagery. Merlyn Thomas reports.
Produced by Aisha Sembhi. Graphics by Mesut Ersoz. Verification by Emma Pengelly, Paul Brown, Charlotte Green, Shayan Sardarizadeh, Shruti Menon, Yi Ma and Benedict Garman.
Video shows workers in Nepal running uphill to escape deadly flash floods close behind them.
A man can be seen filming the cascade of water coming through the mountains before turning to run himself.
More than 900 people are missing and at least 359 have died in Nepal after a massive flash flood that the US Geological Survey believe was caused by "glacial collapse and debris flow".
The US Geological Survey says the floods in the Nepal-Tibet border were triggered by a "glacial collapse" - meaning a glacier or part of a glacier had disintegrated.
Initial reports led authorities to believe that an earthquake had been the cause.
The cause of the glacial collapse has not been determined, but scientists have warned that Himalayan glaciers are melting at an accelerating rate due to rising temperatures and climate change.
More on this story: Collapsed glacier likely caused devastating Nepal-Tibet floods, scientists say
Written and edited by the Pearl Hundred newsroom.