Assessment of potential damage in case of Upper Akkol Lake outburst (South-Eastern Altai, Russia)

Abstract

At present, due to the gradual reduction of glaciation area in high mountainous areas around the world, there is an active transformation of landscapes freed from ice. Namely, the number of glacial moraine-dammed lakes is increasing. Such lakes are often unstable, rapidly changing their morphometric characteristics, which require observation. It is also known that recently there have been more frequent cases of catastrophic outbursts of such lakes and flooding of the territories below. Populations living in such areas are exposed to significant and often uncontrollable risks. One of such lakes, representing a potential threat of breaching, is the Upper Akkol Lake, located on the slope of the South Chuysky Ridge in South-Eastern Altai (Russia, Altai Republic). In this article, we assessed the potential damage from a possible lake outburst, and the information was communicated to local administrations in order to take timely measures to minimize damage or avoid a catastrophe.