Abstract
Abstract. The 1988 glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Guangxieco Lake is studied based on geomorphological evidence, interviews with local residents, field surveys in 1990 and 2007, and satellite images from different years. The findings are as follows. (1) The outburst event was caused by two major factors, namely, intense pre-precipitation and persistent high temperatures before the outburst and the low self-stability of the terminal moraine dam as a result of perennial piping. (2) The GLOF, with the peak discharge rate of 1270 m3 s−1, evolved along Midui Valley in the following order: sediment-laden flow, viscous debris flow, non-viscous debris flow, and sediment-laden flood, which was eventually blocked by Palongzangbu River. (3) A comparison between the conditions during the outburst in 1988 and the present conditions suggests a small possibility of a future outburst unless drastic changes occur in landscape and climate. Reconstructing the outburst conditions and the GLOF processes is helpful in assessing a potential outburst in glacier lakes in Tibet.
Highlights
Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) that carry moraines generally have a high peak discharge rate and cause intense erosion over long distances; they may immediately endanger lives, infrastructure, and power supply (Carey, 2008; Kaltenborn et al, 2010)
(2) The GLOF, with the peak discharge rate of 1270 m3 s−1, evolved along Midui Valley in the following order: sediment-laden flow, viscous debris flow, non-viscous debris flow, and sediment-laden flood, which was eventually blocked by Palongzangbu River
GLOFs are remarkable in the Tibetan Plateau in China, where tectonic activities are intense, rocks are fragile, and mountains are complex with diverse geomorphology, hydrology, and ecology
Summary
Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) that carry moraines generally have a high peak discharge rate and cause intense erosion over long distances; they may immediately endanger lives, infrastructure, and power supply (Carey, 2008; Kaltenborn et al, 2010). Liu et al.: The 1988 glacial lake outburst flood in Guangxieco Lake, Tibet, China. This lake is significant because it is the only lake located at an altitude below 4000 m with maritime temperate glaciers that are sensitive to local changes in climate (Li and You, 1992; Chen et al, 2004) and can be traced from the variation of glacier lakes (Yang et al, 2012). The conditions and causes of this GLOF are discussed, and the processes from outburst to flood are reconstructed using geomorphological evidence, interviews with local residents, archived materials, and satellite images from 1981 to 2010
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