Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

Glacial Lakes rise as glaciers retreat

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Glacial Lakes

Why in the News?

Since 1977, the South Lhonak Lake, a glacial lake in Sikkim has expanded significantly, growing from 17 hectares to 167 hectares by 2023.

Formation of Glacial Lakes:

  • When a glacier melts and retreats, the hollow left behind often fills with water, creating a glacial lake.
  • The rocky moraine at the glacier’s end can act as a natural dam, holding the water to form the lake.
  • Glacial lakes act as hydrological buffers, regulating water flow from melting ice, which can sometimes pose challenges to downstream communities.
  • Glacial lakes often have a vivid blue color, similar to swimming pools, due to the scattering of light by fine rock particles (rock flour) in the water.
  • There are several types of glacial lakes, each formed by specific processes and glacier dynamics:
    • Moraine-Dammed Lakes: Formed when moraine debris piles up at the end of a glacier and traps meltwater behind it. These are common and pose risks of outburst flooding.
    • Kettle Lakes: This was created when a chunk of glacier ice is buried in the moraine and eventually melts, leaving a depression filled with water.
    • Cirque Lakes: Formed in circular basins (cirques) carved by glaciers at high elevations. These lakes are often small and located at the glacier’s original head.
    • Pro-glacial Lakes: Situated in front of the glacier, between the ice and the moraine dam. These lakes are sometimes formed when the glacier’s snout melts and deposits water in the valley.
    • Tarn Lakes: Formed in depressions left behind in the cirques or basins after the glacier has completely melted.

Major Glacial Lakes in India

India’s Himalayan region is home to numerous glacial lakes, each with unique characteristics:

  • Gurudongmar Lake (Sikkim): One of the highest lakes in the world at 5,430 meters above sea level, fed by glacial melt and known for its religious significance.
  • Chandra Taal (Himachal Pradesh): A stunning crescent-shaped lake in the Lahaul-Spiti region at 4,300 meters. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and fed by glacier melt.
  • Samiti Lake (Sikkim): Located along the trek to Kanchenjunga and known for its clear blue waters and reflective quality.
  • Satopanth Tal (Uttarakhand): Found in the Garhwal Himalayas, this lake lies close to Satopanth Glacier and is considered sacred by locals.
  • South Lhonak Lake (Sikkim): A growing lake fed by three glaciers, expanding rapidly due to climate change and posing risks of glacial lake outburst floods.

PYQ:

[2019]  Consider the following pairs:

Glacier: River

  1. Bandarpunch: Yamuna
  2. Bara Shigri: Chenab
  3. Milam: Mandakini
  4. Siachen: Nubra
  5. Zemu: Manas

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 5 only
(d) 3 and 5 only

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