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Glacier and Permafrost Hazards in High Mountains

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Book cover Global Change and Mountain Regions

Part of the book series: Advances in Global Change Research ((AGLO,volume 23))

Abstract

Glacier- and permafrost-related hazards represent a continuous threat to human lives and infrastructure in high mountain regions. Related disasters can kill hundreds or even thousands of people at once and cause damage with a global sum on the order of 108 Euro annually. Glacier and permafrost hazards in high mountains include:

  • outbursts of glacier lakes, causing floods and debris flows;

  • ice break-offs and subsequent ice avalanches from steep glaciers;

  • stable and unstable glacier length variations;

  • destabilisation of frozen or unfrozen debris slopes;

  • destabilisation of rock walls; and

  • combinations or chain reactions of these processes.

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Kääb, A., Reynolds, J.M., Haeberli, W. (2005). Glacier and Permafrost Hazards in High Mountains. In: Huber, U.M., Bugmann, H.K.M., Reasoner, M.A. (eds) Global Change and Mountain Regions. Advances in Global Change Research, vol 23. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3508-X_23

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