Views of nature: or Contemplations on the sublime phenomena of creation: with scientific illustrationsHumboldt, Alexander von
Science
Views of nature: or Contemplations on the sublime phenomena of creation: with scientific illustrations
Humboldt, Alexander von
Physical geography; Plant morphology; Science; South America -- Description and travel
“The points 1, 2 and 3 are in ridges that run in a south-westerly
direction. The dip of the strata being to the north-east, the faces
exposed to view from the south are for the most part very abrupt, and
snow never accumulates on them to any great extent. This in some
measure will account for the height to which the snow is seen to have
receded on the eastern exposures, that is, upwards of 17,000 feet. On
the western exposures the ground is less steep, and the snow is seen
to have been observed at a considerable less elevation; but it was in
very small quantities, and had probably fallen lately, so that I am
inclined to think that its height, viz., about 15,000 feet, rather
indicates the elevation below which the light autumnal falls of snow
were incapable of lying, than that of the inferior edge of the
perpetual snow. It is further to be understood, that below this level
of 15,000 feet the mountains were absolutely without snow, excepting
those small isolated patches that are seen in ravines, or at the head
of glaciers, which, of course, do not affect such calculations as
these. On the whole, therefore, I consider that the height of the
snow-line on the more prominent points of the southern edge of the
belt may be fairly reckoned at 16,000 feet at the very least.
“The point No. 4 was selected as being in a much more retired position
than the others. It is situate not far from the head of the Pindur
river. It was quite free from snow at 15,300 feet, and I shall
therefore consider 15,000 feet as the elevation of the snow-line in
the re-entering angles of the chain.
“I conclude, then, that 15,500 feet, the mean of the heights at the
most and least prominent points, should be assigned as the mean
elevation of the snow-line at the southern limit of the belt of
perpetual snow in Kumaon; and I conceive that whatever error there may
be in this estimate will be found to lie on the side of diminution
rather than of exaggeration.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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