Mt Qomolangma, located on the China-Nepal border, is moving northeastward by six to seven cm per year, according to the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping.
The mountain is moving at an azimuth angle of 54 degrees, according to a global position system (GPS) survey recently carried out by the bureau.
Surveys over the past 30 years show that obvious changes have occurred in the area through crustal vertical movement, and experts said that these changes are the result of a large rupture on the northern side of the Mt Qomolangma.
Researches also showed that these changes correspond to seismological periods.
Researchers found that the snow cover on the top of the Mt Qomolangma has been descending over the past three decades. "This has a connection with global warming," they said.
Previously, China carried out surveys of Mt Qomolangma and the area to the north of the mountain three times in 1966, 1975 and 1992.
Experts said that the recent survey is of theoretical value in geoscience and is of great significance in seismological forecasting and fighting against disasters.
(Xinhua 11/22/2000)
