The Himalayas have always been a landscape of extremes, but a devastating disaster in Nepal has raised a much bigger question: what happens when a rapidly warming mountain region becomes increasingly unstable?
On August 26, a massive collapse of rock and ice in Nepal's Langtang region unleashed an enormous surge of water, mud and debris into valleys below. The torrent tore through communities along the Lhende Khola, Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems, destroying homes and critical infrastructure in its path.
