Glacial lake outburst flood risk, Bolivia

Time for Geography tip:

A glacial lake at risk of bursting. See a simulation of what might happen if the lake bursts here.

Glacier recession in many parts of the world has been accompanied by the development of glacial lakes that sit behind moraine, bedrock, or ice dams. These lakes can burst (e.g. during intense precipitation events, or if snow or rock avalanches impact the lake), which can cause catastrophic flooding to downstream communities or infrastructure. This video is from a lake that sits up-valley from the villages of Agua Blanca and Pelechuco, in the Cordillera Apolobamba region of Bolivia. The video was taken by Dr Simon Cook (University of Dundee). A link to a press release about our work is here (https://www.egu.eu/news/292/receding-glaciers-in-bolivia-leave-communities-at-risk/), and a link to our published scientific study is here (https://www.the-cryosphere.net/10/2399/2016/).

Shared by: Simon Cook, @glacio_cook

Location: Pelechuco, Apolobamba region, Bolivia

Captured: 11/06/2015