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Seismic observations, numerical modeling, and geomorphic analysis of a glacier lake outburst flood in the Himalayas
- Source :
- Science Advances
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Remote seismic observations of a glacial lake outburst flood highlight potential for improving early warning systems.<br />Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are a substantial hazard for downstream communities in vulnerable regions, yet unpredictable triggers and remote source locations make GLOF dynamics difficult to measure and quantify. Here, we revisit a destructive GLOF that occurred in Bhutan in 1994 and apply cross-correlation–based seismic analyses to track the evolution of the GLOF remotely (~100 kilometers from the source region). We use the seismic observations along with eyewitness reports and a downstream gauge station to constrain a numerical flood model and then assess geomorphic change and current state of the unstable lakes via satellite imagery. Coherent seismic energy is evident from 1 to 5 hertz beginning approximately 5 hours before the flood impacted Punakha village, which originated at the source lake and advanced down the valley during the GLOF duration. Our analysis highlights potential benefits of using real-time seismic monitoring to improve early warning systems.
- Subjects :
- geography
Multidisciplinary
geography.geographical_feature_category
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences
Warning system
Flood myth
Environmental Studies
SciAdv r-articles
Glacier
Outburst flood
010502 geochemistry & geophysics
01 natural sciences
Hazard
Current (stream)
Geophysics
Satellite imagery
Physical geography
Glacial lake
Geology
Research Articles
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 23752548
- Volume :
- 6
- Issue :
- 38
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Science advances
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....59cbadad528936b6b18e25486b1b46c4