Siachen Glacier | |
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Satellite imagery of the Siachen Glacier
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Type | Mountain glacier |
Location | Controlled by India, disputed by Pakistan |
Coordinates | 35°25′16″N 77°06′34″E / 35.421226°N 77.10954°ECoordinates: 35°25′16″N 77°06′34″E / 35.421226°N 77.10954°E |
Length | 76 km (47 mi) using the longest route as is done when determining river lengths or 70 km (43 mi) if measuring from Indira Col |
The Siachen Glacier (Hindi: सियाचिन ग्लेशियर; Urdu: سیاچین) with all major passes, is currently under the administration of India since 1984 and forms part of the Leh district of the Ladakh division. It is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalaya Mountains at about 35°25′16″N 77°06′34″E / 35.421226°N 77.109540°E, just northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends. At 76 km (47 mi) long, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and second-longest in the world's non-polar areas. It falls from an altitude of 5,753 m (18,875 ft) above sea level at its head at Indira Col on the China border down to 3,620 m (11,875 ft) at its terminus. The entire Siachen Glacier, with all major passes, is currently under the administration of India since 1984, Pakistan controls the region west of Saltoro Ridge with Pakistani posts located 3,000 ft below 100 Indian posts on Saltoro Ridge.