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<p>The glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a prominent cryospheric hazard in Tibet, characterized by its sudden occurrence, extensive magnitude, destructive potential, and wide-ranging impact. It poses a significant threat to human life and property downstream. Understanding the formation mechanism of GLOFs is crucial for conducting research on early detection, risk assessment, and emergency management. However, geographical challenges (extreme cold, high altitude, steep terrain) and methodological shortcomings (singular approaches, limited evidence) hinder GLOF formation mechanism research. This study addressed these challenges through a combination of methods, including field investigation, remote sensing, and the analysis of archival data to compile 47 GLOF events from 39 Tibetan glacial lakes since the 20th century, documenting information such as locations, dates, and triggering factors. Additionally, detailed descriptions were provided for 6 representative GLOF events: Ranzeranco, Tulagou, Zhemaico, Nalongzangbu tributary, Jinwuco, and Gebumaco. The study analyzed six triggering factors—ice avalanche, buried ice melting, meltwater, debris flow, landslide, and upstream outburst flood—that drove glacial lake outburst processes, identified critical characteristics such as precursors, formation processes, and failure mechanisms, and provided foundational data and references for GLOF risk management in China’s Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.</p>

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An overview of the formation mechanism characteristics of glacial lake outburst floods in Tibet, China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月31日

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  • Jiankang Liu,
  • Ruilin Xu,
  • Linjun Zhou,
  • Ting Yi,
  • Jianxun Liu,
  • Jiajia Zhang,
  • Bo Gao,
  • Yuanling Li,
  • Hai Huang

摘要

The glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a prominent cryospheric hazard in Tibet, characterized by its sudden occurrence, extensive magnitude, destructive potential, and wide-ranging impact. It poses a significant threat to human life and property downstream. Understanding the formation mechanism of GLOFs is crucial for conducting research on early detection, risk assessment, and emergency management. However, geographical challenges (extreme cold, high altitude, steep terrain) and methodological shortcomings (singular approaches, limited evidence) hinder GLOF formation mechanism research. This study addressed these challenges through a combination of methods, including field investigation, remote sensing, and the analysis of archival data to compile 47 GLOF events from 39 Tibetan glacial lakes since the 20th century, documenting information such as locations, dates, and triggering factors. Additionally, detailed descriptions were provided for 6 representative GLOF events: Ranzeranco, Tulagou, Zhemaico, Nalongzangbu tributary, Jinwuco, and Gebumaco. The study analyzed six triggering factors—ice avalanche, buried ice melting, meltwater, debris flow, landslide, and upstream outburst flood—that drove glacial lake outburst processes, identified critical characteristics such as precursors, formation processes, and failure mechanisms, and provided foundational data and references for GLOF risk management in China’s Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.