Deglaciation and proglacial lakes

Abstract

Glaciers and ice sheets are important constituents of the Earth's land surface. Current worldwide retreat of glaciers has implications for the environment and for civilisation. There are a range of geomorphic changes occurring in cold environments and it is anticipated that these will be accentuated as a consequence of climate change. In particular, the number and size of proglacial lakes is currently increasing as a result of deglaciation and their significance for the physical environment and for society is becoming increasingly apparent. This article provides an overview of the major interdependent relationships between climate change, glaciers and proglacial lake development. In particular, it describes the key processes and impacts associated with proglacial lake evolution with reference to examples drawn from the European Alps, North America, the Himalayas, the Andes, Greenland, New Zealand and Iceland.