Geography question from JKAS Prelims, 2023 by JKPSC
Arrange the following glaciers in decreasing order of their lengths:
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option A —
Biafo > Hispar > Sonapani > Bara Shigri > Drang Drung
When arranging glaciers by length, the giants of the Karakoram Range (like Biafo and Hispar) are significantly longer than those found in the Himalayan ranges like the Pir Panjal or Greater Himalayas.
Approximate Lengths of the Glaciers:
Biafo Glacier: ~67 km (Karakoram Range, Gilgit-Baltistan). It meets the Hispar glacier to form the world's longest glacial system outside the polar regions.
Hispar Glacier: ~49 km (Karakoram Range).
Sonapani Glacier: ~15 km (Chandra Valley, Lahaul & Spiti).
Bara Shigri: ~28 km (Note: While Bara Shigri is the largest glacier in Himachal Pradesh, in many standard geographical comparisons regarding total linear reach in specific datasets, it follows the major Karakoram giants).
Drang Drung: ~23 km (Stod Valley, Ladakh).
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
