Hydrological investigation of subsurface Glacial Lake Outburst Floods at Bindo Gol Valley under changing climate, Pakistan

Abstract

Climate contributed temperature and precipitation has triggered several glaciological hazards in mountainous regions of Pakistan. The present study identifies glacial architecture of Bindo Gol valley (BGV) glacier present in HinduKush region of Pakistan with emphasis on Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) lake development. The study integrates meteorological (temperature, precipitation) and geophysical (Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)) data to demarcate glacial architecture and possibility of GLOF lake development. Several moraines filled crevasses were identified (from GPR) mostly towards the center and south of the study area. Some of these crevasses were connected to the surficial running water channels that were also detected by GPR. A dense network of cavities was identified towards southeast of the glacier, despite being shallow, these cavities could facilitate the development of GLOF lake. The study indicates a good relationship between geophysical (presence of crevasses and subsurface cavities) and meteorological (variations in temperature and precipitation) data for the identification of source for the accumulation of larger volumes of water possibly resulting in GLOF events.