- A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) refers to the sudden release of a substantial volume of water from a glacial lake resulting from the failure or breaching of its natural dam.
- Glacial lakes typically form through the accumulation of meltwater originating from glaciers.
- These lakes are commonly dammed by the following natural barriers:
- Moraines, which are accumulations of glacial debris.
- Ice formations, bedrock, or other natural barriers.
Major Triggers of GLOFs
- Glacier melting – Rising temperatures increase meltwater and lake volume.
- Moraine Dam Failure – Weak or unstable moraine barriers may collapse.
- Avalanches – Ice, snow, or rock avalanches can enter lakes and generate displacement waves.
- Earthquakes – Seismic activity can destabilise natural dams.
- Heavy rainfall – Excessive rain can raise lake levels and destabilise surrounding slopes.
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