Online Via Zoom
The Himalayas have emerged due to a continent-continent collision that gave rise to its spectacular topography, which then housed its glaciers, and dictated its unique climate and bio-cultural diversity. Along with the Himalaya’s dynamic nature and active surface processes came its geo-meteorological hazards. These hazards actively shape its topography and dictate the lives of millions who either reside in the Himalayas or are dependent on its resources. Accelerated anthropogenic interventions in the form of mega-infrastructure development has made the terrain more vulnerable and challenged our conventional approaches. In this talk Dr Sharma, a geoscientist, will highlight the physical vulnerabilities and the inherent dynamic nature of the Himalayas, along with its hazards which actively shape its terrain. She will also shed light on how anthropogenic interventions have been interacting with and influencing these natural systems.
Shubhra Sharma has previously served as an Assistant Professor at Banaras Hindu University, and as an INSPIRE faculty at IISER-Mohali. Her research focuses on understanding the interconnections between different systems such as glaciers and fluvial response to climate variability, the impact of hydro-meteorological events on geomorphic processes, and climate-human interactions. Her work combines extensive field-based data, from diverse geographical settings ranging from the Himalayas to the Rann of Kutchch, with equally diverse laboratory analysis. To apply her expertise in fundamental science to address recent environmental challenges, Dr Sharma has also been writing popular science articles for public consumption.
