Future glacier lakes in the Swiss Alps: a projection of their evolution

• DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu22-53
• Publication Date: 2022-03-25T13:45:28Z
• Authors: Daniel Farinotti; Tim Steffen; Matthias Huss; Rebekka Estermann; Elias Hodel
• Keywords: Landform; Rock glacier

<p>With the ongoing, rapid glacier retreat, high-alpine landscapes are poised to change drastically over coming decades. The newly exposed areas will not only give rise new environments that can be eventually colonized by plants and organisms, but also characteristic landforms. Amongst these, future lakes forming in topographical depressions left behind have already been focus of earlier studies. interest these features is given a number factors, ranging from ecological significance such lakes, potential hazards posed emerging water bodies, their optical appeal terms landscape elements.</p><p>Here, we add existing body literature dealing with formation do so leveraging both (1) recently released, measurement-based estimate for subglacial topography all glaciers Swiss Alps, (2) results regional-scale evolution model driven different climate scenarios. Whilst first point significantly increases robustness our projections, second allows quantification timing which expected emerge. In this time-dependent analysis, include possibility disappear again due re-filling sediments – process neglected studies far.</p><p>Our indicate that, if were entirely up 683 could These hold storing 1.16 ± 0.16 km<sup>3</sup> water, total lake area 45 9 km<sup>2</sup>. For middle-of-the-road scenario, about 14% volume (i.e. 0.07 km<sup>3</sup>) emerge 2050. 2100, changes 57% (0.66 0.17 km<sup>3</sup>), indicating substantial increase pace after mid-century. Our first-order assessment re-sedimentation indicates 45% (ca. 260 out ca. 570) before end century, between 12 20% lost process. This suggests sedimentation processes taken into account when aiming at anticipating how look like.</p>