Reconstructing historic Glacial Lake Outburst Floods through numerical modelling and geomorphological assessment: Extreme events in the Himalaya

A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) from Chukhung Glacier, Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal, was reconstructed using numerical modeling and geomorphological assessment. The study found that the GLOF, triggered by moraine-dam failure, had peak discharges ranging from 146 to 2200 cubic meters per second, with maximum flow depths exceeding 9 meters and velocities over 20 meters per second near the breach. The flood rapidly inundated the floodplain within ten minutes, forming a significant debris fan. The research highlights the rapid evolution of hazardous moraine-dammed lake complexes in response to climatic change, emphasizing the importance of understanding their geomorphological impacts.

Westoby, M. J., Glasser, N. F., Hambrey, M. J., Brasington, J., Reynolds, J. M., & Hassan, M. A. A. M. (2014). Reconstructing historic Glacial Lake Outburst Floods through numerical modelling and geomorphological assessment: Extreme events in the Himalaya. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 39(12), 1675–1692. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3617