Geomorphologic and Hydrogeologic Characteristics of Populated Rockslide Deposits (Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu Himal, Nepal)

Rockslide deposits in the Khumbu Himal, Nepal, present a dual challenge for local populations: they offer gentle terrain suitable for settlements and agriculture but simultaneously pose critical water scarcity due to their highly fragmented and shattered composition. A study on Lukla and Namche-Khumjung rockslides reveals that these deposits, while providing essential living spaces in steep catchments, are characterized by rapid infiltration of percolating water, short residence times, and minimal spring water or surface runoff availability—a consequence of their internal structure. This ambivalent relationship underscores the need for adaptation strategies, particularly as tourism in the region grows. The research combined geomorphologic field mapping, orthophoto analysis, digital elevation models, and hydrogeologic sampling to elucidate these dynamics.

Götz, J., Weidinger, J. T., Kraxberger, S., Hennecke, A.-L., Buckel, J., & Adhikari, B. R. (2015). Geomorphologic and Hydrogeologic Characteristics of Populated Rockslide Deposits (Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu Himal, Nepal). Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 07(13), 1038–1048. https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2015.713085