The Cryosphere
The Cryosphere
TC
Articles | Volume 11, issue 1
Articles | Volume 11, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-443-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-443-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Articles | Volume 11, issue 1
Brief communication
 | 
08 Feb 2017
Brief communication |  | 08 Feb 2017

Brief communication: Observations of a glacier outburst flood from Lhotse Glacier, Everest area, Nepal

David R. Rounce, Alton C. Byers, Elizabeth A. Byers, and Daene C. McKinney

Abstract. Glacier outburst floods with origins from Lhotse Glacier, located in the Everest region of Nepal, occurred on 25 May 2015 and 12 June 2016. The most recent event was witnessed by investigators, which provided unique insights into the magnitude, source, and triggering mechanism of the flood. The field assessment and satellite imagery analysis following the event revealed that most of the flood water was stored englacially and that the flood was likely triggered by dam failure. The flood's peak discharge was estimated to be 210 m3 s−1.

How to cite. Rounce, D. R., Byers, A. C., Byers, E. A., and McKinney, D. C.: Brief communication: Observations of a glacier outburst flood from Lhotse Glacier, Everest area, Nepal, The Cryosphere, 11, 443–449, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-443-2017, 2017.
Received: 13 Oct 2016 – Discussion started: 08 Nov 2016 – Revised: 18 Jan 2017 – Accepted: 20 Jan 2017 – Published: 08 Feb 2017
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Short summary
On 12 June 2016, the authors witnessed a glacier outburst flood with origins from Lhotse Glacier, located in the Everest region of Nepal. Observations regarding the size of the flood and a reconstruction of its path immediately following the event were performed. Most of the flood water was stored in the glacier's subsurface and likely released by dam failure. A similar flood from Lhotse Glacier was also reported by local community members on 25 May 2015.
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