GLOFs in the WOS: bibliometrics, geographies and global trends of research on glacial lake outburst floods (Web of Science, 1979–2016)

Abstract. Research on glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) – specific low-frequency, high-magnitude floods originating in glacial lakes, including jökulhlaups – is well justified in the context of glacier ice loss and glacial lake evolution in glacierized areas all over the world. Increasing GLOF research activities, which are documented by the increasing number of published research items, have been observed in the past few decades; however, comprehensive insight into the GLOF research community, its global bibliometrics, geographies and trends in research is missing. To fill this gap, a set of 892 GLOF research items published in the Web of Science database covering the period 1979–2016 was analysed. General bibliometric characteristics, citations and references were analysed, revealing a certain change in the publishing paradigm over time. Furthermore, the global geographies of research on GLOFs were studied, focusing on (i) where GLOFs are studied, (ii) who studies GLOFs, (iii) the export of research on GLOFs and (iv) international collaboration. The observed trends and links to the challenges ahead are discussed and placed in a broader context.

Download Full-text

GLOFs in the WOS: bibliometrics, geographies and global trends of research of glacial lake outburst floods (Web of Science, 1979–2016)

10.5194/nhess-2017-413 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Adam Emmer

Keyword(s):

Web Of Science ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Glacial Lake ◽

Global Trends ◽

Research Activities ◽

Lake Evolution ◽

Outburst Floods ◽

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods ◽

Glacier Ice ◽

Published Research

Abstract. Research of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) – specific low frequency, high magnitude floods originating in glacial lakes, including jokulhlaups – is well justified in the context of glacier ice loss and glacial lake evolution in glacierised areas all over the world. Increasing GLOF research activities, which are documented by the increasing number of published research items, have been observed in the past few decades; however, a comprehensive insight into the GLOF research community, its global bibliometrics, geographies and trends in research is missing. To fill this gap, a set of 892 GLOF research items published in the Web of Science database covering the period 1979–2016 was analysed. General bibliometric characteristics, citations and references were analysed, revealing a certain change in the publishing paradigm over time. Furthermore, the global geographies of research on GLOFs were studied, focusing on: (i) where GLOFs are studied; (ii) who studies GLOFs; (iii) the export of research on GLOFs; and (iv) international collaboration. The observed trends are discussed and placed in a broader context.

Download Full-text

Supplementary material to "GLOFs in the WOS: bibliometrics, geographies and global trends of research of glacial lake outburst floods (Web of Science, 1979–2016)"

10.5194/nhess-2017-413-supplement ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Adam Emmer

Keyword(s):

Web Of Science ◽

Glacial Lake ◽

Global Trends ◽

Outburst Floods ◽

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods ◽

Supplementary Material

Download Full-text

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru: Historic Events and Current Susceptibility

Water ◽

10.3390/w12102664 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 2664

Author(s):

Jan Baťka ◽

Vít Vilímek ◽

Eva Štefanová ◽

Simon J. Cook ◽

Adam Emmer

Keyword(s):

Ice Age ◽

Glacial Lake ◽

Dam Breach ◽

Hazard Management ◽

Lake Evolution ◽

Outburst Floods ◽

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods ◽

High Resolution Satellite Images ◽

Glacier Ice ◽

Dam Overtopping

The aim of this paper is to create a glacial lake inventory for the Cordillera Huayhuash in Peru and to evaluate the susceptibility of lakes to the generation of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Using high-resolution satellite images, we undertook qualitative and quantitative analysis of lake type, characteristics and distribution, and placed our findings within the context of existing Peru-wide lake inventories. We also mapped and analyzed past GLOFs, revealing a total of 10 GLOFs and 4 ambiguous events, most of which have not been reported before. We found that past GLOFs usually occurred as a result of moraine dam breach during the proglacial stage of lake evolution. Further, we used our lake inventory to evaluate GLOF susceptibility of all lakes larger than 20,000 m2. Of 46 evaluated lakes, only two lakes (Lake Tsacra and Lake W014) are currently susceptible to generating a GLOF, which would most likely be through dam overtopping resulting from a flood originating in smaller lakes located upstream. The future perspectives of lake evolution and implications for GLOF hazard management are discussed in light of the post-Little Ice Age glacier ice loss as well as in the context of extensive related research undertaken in the nearby Cordillera Blanca.

Download Full-text

The Top-Viewed Cryosphere Videos on YouTube: An Overview

Geosciences ◽

10.3390/geosciences9040181 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 181 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Adam Emmer ◽

Vojtěch Cuřín ◽

Jan Daněk ◽

Helena Duchková ◽

Petr Krpec

Keyword(s):

Information Source ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Glacial Lake ◽

Scientific Disciplines ◽

Outburst Floods ◽

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods ◽

Glacier Ice ◽

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood ◽

And Behavior ◽

Qualitative Characteristics

Youtube.com has become one of the most popular places to share videos on the Internet, storing a large amount of audiovisual materials. People all over the world can upload their videos and watch videos of others. The research potential of this information source has received increasing popularity across scientific disciplines. In this contribution, we explore the top viewed videos containing selected cryospheric keywords, both general (cryosphere, glacier, ice, permafrost, snow), and specific, focusing on different types of cryospheric hazards (avalanche, blizzard and glacial lake outburst flood/jokulhlaup). Searching 100 top-viewed videos for each keyword, our database consists of 859 videos. Each video is described by several qualitative characteristics (e.g., video type, geographical focus) as well as quantitative characteristics (e.g., views per day, likes). A total of 310 videos in our database (36.1% of all) are classified as videos with factual cryospheric content. We show that the broader audience represented by YouTube users is particularly interested in videos capturing dynamic processes such as calving of glaciers. While videos found for general cryosphere keywords have attracted a generally higher attention of YouTube users (total views), videos found for specific keywords are ranked among the most liked. Further, we analyze where the videos with cryospheric content are filmed, revealing several hotspots for different keywords located in all continents except for Africa. Finally, we discuss the potentials of cryosphere videos for educational and research purposes, pointing out that videos filmed by incidental witnesses of low-frequency processes such as glacial lake outburst floods might contribute to the elucidation of their dynamics, magnitude and behavior as well as the occurrence in space and time.

Download Full-text

70 years of lake evolution and glacial lake outburst floods in the Cordillera Blanca (Peru) and implications for the future

Geomorphology ◽

10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107178 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 365 ◽

pp. 107178 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Adam Emmer ◽

Stephan Harrison ◽

Martin Mergili ◽

Simon Allen ◽

Holger Frey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Glacial Lake ◽

Cordillera Blanca ◽

Lake Evolution ◽

Outburst Floods ◽

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods ◽

The Future

Download Full-text

Simulation and Assessment of Future Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in the Poiqu River Basin, Central Himalayas

Water ◽

10.3390/w13101376 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 1376

Author(s):

Taigang Zhang ◽

Weicai Wang ◽

Tanguang Gao ◽

Baosheng An

Keyword(s):

River Basin ◽

Hazard Assessment ◽

Glacial Lake ◽

High Mountain ◽

Glacial Lakes ◽

Central Himalayas ◽

Outburst Floods ◽

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods ◽

Social And Economic Development ◽

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood

A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a typical glacier-related hazard in high mountain regions. In recent decades, glacial lakes in the Himalayas have expanded rapidly due to climate warming and glacial retreat. Some of these lakes are unstable, and may suddenly burst under different triggering factors, thus draining large amounts of water and impacting downstream social and economic development. Glacial lakes in the Poiqu River basin, Central Himalayas, have attracted great attention since GLOFs originating there could have a transboundary impact on both China and Nepal, as occurred during the Cirenmaco GLOF in 1981 and the Gongbatongshaco GLOF in 2016. Based on previous studies of this basin, we selected seven very high-risk moraine-dammed lakes (Gangxico, Galongco, Jialongco, Cirenmaco, Taraco, Beihu, and Cawuqudenco) to simulate GLOF propagation at different drainage percentage scenarios (i.e., 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%), and to conduct hazard assessment. The results show that, when any glacial lake is drained completely or partly, most of the floods will enter Nepal after raging in China, and will continue to cause damage. In summary, 57.5 km of roads, 754 buildings, 3.3 km2 of farmland, and 25 bridges are at risk of damage due to GLOFs. The potentially inundated area within the Chinese part of the Poiqu River basin exceeds 45 km2. Due to the destructive impacts of GLOFs on downstream areas, appropriate and effective measures should be implemented to adapt to GLOF risk. We finally present a paradigm for conducting hazard assessment and risk management. It uses only freely available data and thus is easy to apply.

Download Full-text