Glaciers in Bhutan

The glaciers in Bhutan, which covers about 3 percent of the total surface area, are responsible for feeding all rivers of Bhutan except the Amochu and Nyere Amachu.[1][2]

Not much historical information is available on these glacial systems; the first modern survey was conducted by Augusto Gansser-Biaggi in the 1970s, who developed a chronology of past glaciations, and warned of imminent glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in Lunana.[1] This prompted the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Geological Survey of Bhutan (GSB) to carry out joint surveys in the mid-80s, and their report rejected Biaggi's threat-assessment.[1] On 7 October 1994, a GLOF from Luggye lake (part of Lunana glacial system) led to over 20 fatalities in Punakha.[1]

This disaster, the first of its kind in Modern Bhutan, increased the frequency of glacial-system-surveys by manifold.[1] Evaluation of GLOF hazard has since formed a significant component of glacial expeditions.[1] Multiple inventory-lists of glaciers and glacial lakes in Bhutan exist.[1][3] The precise figures vary to some extent, based on the methodology used.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Iwata, Shuji (2010). Richard S. Williams, Jr & Jane G. Ferrigno (ed.). "Glaciers of Bhutan — An Overview" (PDF). Glaciers of Asia: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1386–F. USGS.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Nagai, H.; Fujita, K.; Sakai, A.; Nuimura, T.; Tadono, T. (2016-01-18). "Comparison of multiple glacier inventories with a new inventory derived from high-resolution ALOS imagery in the Bhutan Himalaya". The Cryosphere. 10 (1): 65–85. doi:10.5194/tc-10-65-2016. ISSN 1994-0416.