160 glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) across the Tropical Andes since the Little Ice Age

Assessing the extent to which glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are increasing in frequency in modern times and whether their incidence is driven by anthropogenic climate change requires historical context. However, progress on this issue is hampered by incomplete GLOF inventories, especially in remote mountain regions. Here, we exploit high-resolution, multi-temporal satellite and aerial imagery, and documentary data to identify GLOF events across the glacierized Cordilleras of Peru and Bolivia, using a set of diagnostic geomorphic features. A total of 160 GLOFs from 151 individual sites are characterised and analysed, tripling the number of previously reported events. We provide statistics on location, magnitude, timing and characteristics of these events with implications for regional GLOF hazard identification and assessment. Furthermore, we describe several cases in detail and document a wide range of process chains associated with Andean GLOFs.

Automated summary

This study examines GLOF events in glacierized areas of the Cordilleras of Peru and Bolivia using high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery, as well as documentary data. A total of 160 GLOF events from 151 individual sites are characterized and analyzed, tripling the number of previously reported events. The study provides important statistics on these events for regional GLOF hazard identification and assessment.