Drainage of the Austre Okstindbreen ice-dammed lake, Okstindan, Norway

• Main Authors: Knudsen, N. T., Theakstone, W. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1988
• Subjects: austre Okstindbreen; Dammed Lake; Norway; Okstindbreen; glacier; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/fbcb1699-db25-4eab-ae17-b5d5ce2f9a69

Observations of the discharge, electrical conductivity, cationic content, and isotopic composition of glacier-river water indicate that drainage of the lake dammed at the margin of the glacier Austre Okstindbreen, Okstindan, Norway, is preceded by disruption of the glacier's drainage system(s). Annual studies over a period of 12 years have demonstrated that intense storm precipitation, changes of ablation conditions, and the stage of development of drainage systems all may play a role in triggering drainage of the ice-dammed lake. Water temperature may influence the course of the outburst. The lake has drained on at least ten occasions in the last 12 years. -Authors