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Smog Cloud Menaces Asia

Asian Brown Cloud is melting Himalayan glaciers

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 3, 2007 1:34 PM CDT

(Newser) – An enormous cloud of smog over southern Asia threatens 2 billion people with flooding and drought, a new study shows. The "Asian Brown Cloud" is melting Himalayan glaciers, the Times of London reports, and the resulting floods will menace heavily populated downstream areas. And the cloud's driving up temperatures in the Himalayas at twice the rate predicted by global warming.

The study, reported today in the journal Nature, used drone aircraft to fly into the smog and study its effects. The cloud consists of dangerous particles generated by both industrialized power sources and low-tech fires fueled by wood and dung. The particles stay in the air for only about 3 weeks, though, which means quick action is possible.

Seasonal asian dust obscures the sun in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan. (Brian Adler; Wikimedia Commons)

The skyline along one of Beijing's main avenues is obscured by pollution in the Chinese capital Tuesday, July 17, 2007. China's smog-choked cities and contaminated waterways are leaving many people sick... (Associated Press)

The "Asian Brown Cloud" mingles with a storm system in this aerial photograph from NASA. (nasa.gov)

A civil servant protects himself with a smog mask in Bangkok. ((c) zoonabar)

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

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pollution • drought • global warming • Asia • flood • glacier • Asian Brown Cloud • smog • Himalayas • air pollution

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

UN Report: Climate Change Will Hit Poor Hardest

Poorest will be hit hardest

Melting Peru Glaciers Threaten Water Crisis

Water is in decline 20 to 30 years earlier than expected

Smog Bad for Your Appendix: Study

Researchers saw more cases of appendicitis on days with poor air quality

Heavy Smog Greets Olympians

Despite traffic restrictions, skies hazy as always

Global Warming Caused by ... Cleaner Skies: Study

Pollution crackdown has let more sunlight in, making Europe toastier, scientists say

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Newser By Users

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