A special thematic issue of the Annals of Glaciology has recently been published by Cambridge University Press (link). The thirty-eight open access papers, written by research teams from around the globe, cover different aspects of glaciological research in High Mountain Asia, which includes the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Pamir, Tien Shan, and Tibetan Plateau mountain ranges.  From studies of glacier changes to high-altitude meteorology, glacier dynamics, glacier lakes and outburst floods, ice cores and avalanches, the material demonstrates the breadth of research being conducted in the High Mountain Asia region.

Most of the published research was first presented at the International Glaciological Society (IGS; www.igsoc.org) Symposium on Glaciology in High Mountain Asia, which was co-sponsored by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The symposium took place in March 2015 in Kathmandu and was attended by 245 scientists and students .

Graham Cogley, Chief Editor of the special issue, noted that in addition to the noteworthy scientific advances reported by the authors of papers in the proceedings volume, the symposium and its proceedings played a significant role in developing the skills and capacity of glaciological colleagues from developing Asian countries. ‘This is of the first importance for High Mountain Asia as its people face up to a future in which water and ice will present many of the challenges’, he said. Seventeen of the published papers are led by scientists from ICIMOD regional member countries.

Joseph Shea, Senior Glacier Hydrologist at ICIMOD, said publication of the Annals also reflects the dedication and efforts of many authors, reviewers, and editors.

‘It’s a benchmark publication for glaciological research in the region. And as an institution dedicated to open access practices, ICIMOD is also thrilled to be part of the first fully open access issue of the Annals of Glaciology’, noted Shea, who was chair of the local organising committee of the symposium and an associate Scientific Editor for the special issue. The IGS recently switched to an open-access publication format to increase access to glaciological research and promote openness in science.

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