Description

Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) can result in a devastating flood in mountainous parts of the world.


 

Features of a GLOF:

(1) The setting is a glacier typically on a mountain.

(2) The glacier undergoes melting (global warming, underlying volcano, etc).

(3) The exit for the water is blocked by the glacier so it accumulates as a lake.

(4) If the blockage is removed then all of the water discharges. This could be due to an earthquake, melting of the blocking ice or other cause.

(5) If the volume of water is large, and if it runs down a mountain, then it can cause a flash flood below.

 


To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.