The Wider Image: The thaw of the Third Pole: China's glaciers in retreat
Meltwater from the Laohugou No. 12 glacier, flows near its edge (terminal point) in the Qilian mountains, Subei Mongol Autonomous County in Gansu province, China September 27, 2020. The 20-square kilometre glacier is criss-crossed by rivulets of water down its craggy, grit-blown surface. It has shrunk by about 7% since measurements began, with melting accelerating at a record pace in recent years, scientists say. Equally alarming is the loss of thickness, with about 13 metres (42 feet) of ice disappearing as temperatures rise, said Qin Xiang, the director at the monitoring station. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins SEARCH "RAWLINS GLACIER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.