Eduqas A-Level Geography A110QS
Coastal LandscapesLandscape
Glaciated LandscapesLandscape
Changing Places
Water and Carbon Cycles
Global Migration
Global Governance of the Oceans
Tectonic Hazards
EcosystemsContemporary theme
Economic Growth and Challenge: IndiaContemporary theme
Economic Growth and Challenge: ChinaContemporary theme
Development in an African ContextContemporary theme
Energy Challenges and DilemmasContemporary theme
Weather and ClimateContemporary theme
Geographical Skills
Glaciated Landscapes
Glacial landscapes and human activity
- 2 things to know
- Component 1 Section A
Overview
Glacial lake outburst flood, named GLOF and its consequences and GLOF outside the Himalayas.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Why has the risk of GLOFs risen in the Himalayas?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define a glacial lake outburst flood.
Model answer
A GLOF is the sudden release of water held behind a moraine or ice dam. The dam fails and a wall of water and debris sweeps down the valley.
- 2
Why has the risk of GLOFs risen in the Himalayas?
Model answer
Warming has accelerated glacier retreat, so meltwater ponds behind unstable moraine dams. Over 20 glacial lakes in Nepal are currently classed as potentially dangerous.
- 3
Describe a named GLOF and its consequences.
Model answer
The Dig Tsho outburst in the Khumbu region of Nepal in August 1985 released about 5 million m³ of water. The flood destroyed the almost complete Namche hydroelectric plant, 14 bridges and about 30 houses.
- 4
Give an example of a GLOF outside the Himalayas.
Model answer
A moraine dam at Lake Palcacocha in Peru failed in December 1941. The flood reached the city of Huaraz and around 1,800 people were killed.
- 5
What warning signs suggest a moraine dam is about to fail?
Model answer
Rapid growth of the lake, seepage through the dam and calving of ice into the water all suggest instability. Rockfall or an avalanche into the lake can trigger the wave that overtops the dam.
- 6
Name a GLOF management scheme and describe what was done.
Model answer
The Imja Tsho project in Nepal lowered the lake by about 3.4 m during 2016. Engineers cut a controlled outlet channel through the moraine and installed an automated early warning system.
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