Glaciers are melting rapidly due to rising global temperatures, posing significant risks to communities living downstream and threatening freshwater supplies for nearly 2 billion people. As ice loss accelerates, it creates large lakes that can overflow, causing devastating floods.
In the Himalayas, Andes, Alps, Rocky Mountains, Iceland, and Alaska, glacial lake outburst floods have become increasingly common, with recent disasters including a surge in bridges damaged and homes destroyed in the Himalayas in 2023. In Juneau, Alaska, flash floods from a glacial lake dammed by ice on an arm of Mendenhall Glacier have also occurred.
Scientists warn that avalanches, rockfalls, and slope failures can trigger these floods, which can cause massive waves and destructive debris flows. The resulting floodwaters can reach speeds of 20-60 mph (30-100 kph), destroying homes and infrastructure in their path.
Climate change is exacerbating the problem, with permafrost thawing creating unstable terrain that increases the risk of landslides and glacial lake outburst floods. In Nepal, a collapse of solid rock on Langmale glacier resulted in a massive flood in 2017, highlighting the need for early warning systems and mitigation measures.
The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and March 21 as the first World Day for Glaciers, aiming to raise awareness about the risks associated with glacial lake outburst floods. The organization is encouraging research into these regions and declaring a “decade of action in cryospheric sciences” from 2025 to 2034.
As scientists study the impact of ice loss on mountain slopes and glacial lakes, they are identifying new phenomena that can lead to disastrous events. Thawing permafrost and englacial conduit floods are becoming increasingly recognized as significant risks, highlighting the need for continued research and collaboration to mitigate these hazards.
With over 110,000 glacial lakes identified worldwide, 10 million people’s lives and homes are at risk from glacial lake outburst floods. The United Nations is urging action to protect communities and ensure the long-term sustainability of freshwater supplies in the face of climate change.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/its-the-first-world-day-for-glaciers-and-scientists-are-concerned