Chamoli Disaster Triggered by Massive Avalanche of Rock, Ice Falling from Height of 3,700 Meters: Study
News 18The study, by 53 scientists from 14 countries including India, was conducted to investigate the cause, scope and impacts of the disaster. New Delhi: The Chamoli disaster in February was triggered by a mix of rock and ice falling from a height of 3,700 meter above the sea level, a new study has revealed. The ‘worst-case rock:ice ratio’ resulted in almost complete melting of the glacier ice, the study says. The researcher identified three primary drivers for the severity of the Chamoli disaster: the extraordinary fall height, providing ample gravitational potential energy; the worst-case rock:ice ratio, which resulted in almost complete melting of the glacier ice, enhancing the mobility of the debris flow; and the unfortunate location of multiple hydropower plants in the direct path of the flow. As per the study, at least 35 million cubic yards of rock and glacier ice were missing from the site — enough material to cover Washington, D.C., with a half-foot-deep layer.