Glaciers are massive ice bodies that move slowly due to gravity.
As glaciers move, they grind rocks into fine particles called moraine.
Moraine is deposited on the sides and at the end of the glacier.
When glaciers retreat, they leave behind depressions that fill with water, forming glacial lakes.
Moraine often acts as a natural dam for these lakes.
Glacial lakes are typically blue due to the scattering of light by fine rock particles.
Examples of glacial lakes include Gurudongmar Lake (Sikkim) , Pangong Tso (Ladakh), and Samiti Lake (Sikkim).
Impact of Climate Change:
Global warming is causing glaciers to retreat faster.
This can lead to the breaching of moraine dams, resulting in glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
The South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim is an example of a lake that has expanded rapidly and poses a significant flood risk.
Scientists are using models to predict the potential impact of GLOFs and develop mitigation strategies.
Overall, glacial lakes are both beautiful and dangerous.
Understanding their formation and the risks they pose is crucial for effective disaster management and environmental conservation.
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