Abstract
Surge-type glaciers periodically undergo large flow acceleration after extended quiescent phases of slow movement, often accompanied by terminus advance. Such glaciers are relatively rare but occur in many of the world’s glacierized areas. High basal water pressures and extreme basal sliding are common characteristics during surges, but key questions concerning this usually spectacular phenomenon remain open. Why are glaciers in some regions surge-type but not in others, what sort of “memory” lets glaciers surge again and again, what is the influence of climate, geology, and topography? Besides their scientific interest, glacier surges can also be a threat to humans, especially in connection with rapid ice advances, but more importantly with rapidly forming lakes and their sudden outbursts. Cases of hazard- and disaster-related glacier surges and mitigation strategies are described from the Pamirs, the Andes, Tibet, the Italian Alps, and Alaska.
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