Date: 19-30 August 2024
Location: Dushanbe, Jirgatol, and Kyzylsu Lake, Tajikistan
As part of our ongoing efforts to mitigate the risks associated with Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Central Asia, we are excited to announce an upcoming research mission in Tajikistan. Led by the University of Zurich (UZH) scientist Dr. Evan Miles, this mission will take place from August 19 to 30, 2024. The mission aims to deepen our understanding of the hazards posed by glacier lake outburst floods, particularly those affecting the Baralmos Glacier.
Key Activities and Objectives
Meetings with Key Partners Dr. Evan Miles will commence his visit with crucial meetings involving key stakeholders, including Tajik Hydromet and the Tajik Academy of Sciences. These discussions will focus on enhancing collaboration and sharing insights on recent developments in glacier monitoring and risk assessment.
Field Activities A significant portion of the mission will be dedicated to fieldwork at the Baralmos Glacier and Kyzylsu Lake. Dr. Miles, along with local scientists, will engage in several critical activities:
- Measuring Glacier Thickness: This involves detailed surveys to assess the glacier’s current thickness, providing data essential for understanding its stability and potential for future outburst floods.
- Assessing Volume Changes in Glacier Lakes: The team will evaluate recent volume changes in the lakes that are causing annual floods, posing threats to local infrastructure, particularly a key road along the Vahksh River.
- Reinstalling Pressure Transducers: To monitor water pressure and lake levels accurately, the team will reinstall and calibrate pressure transducers at strategic points around the glacier.
- Bathymetric Surveys: These surveys will map the underwater topography of the glacier lakes, helping to predict future water displacement and flood patterns.
- Downloading Rock Temperature Loggers: Data from these loggers will aid in understanding the thermal dynamics of the glacier environment, which is crucial for predicting melt rates and associated risks.
- Ice Thickness Survey: Conducting a comprehensive ice thickness survey to gather more data on the glacier’s health and its potential impact on downstream areas.
Expected Outcomes
The mission is expected to yield critical insights into the current state of the Baralmos Glacier and its associated lakes. By measuring the glacier’s thickness and assessing lake volume changes, the team will be able to:
- Improve Hazard Prediction: Enhance our understanding of the future risks posed by GLOFs, facilitating better hazard prediction models.
- Develop Mitigation Strategies: Provide data that will inform the development of effective measures to mitigate the impacts of GLOFs on local communities and infrastructure.
- Strengthen Local Collaboration: Foster stronger relationships with local scientific and governmental institutions to ensure that research benefits local stakeholders and supports regional resilience to climate-related hazards.
Next Steps
Post-mission, the findings will be compiled into a comprehensive report and shared with relevant stakeholders, including governmental agencies, developmental organizations, and research institutions. This will support informed decision-making and contribute to ongoing efforts to enhance climate resilience in Central Asia.