Today’s Video of the Day from NASA Goddard describes the largest-ever study of glacial lakes based on 30 years of satellite data.
The researchers found that, as a result of global warming, the volume of glacial lakes has increased by about 50 percent worldwide over the last three decades.
The lakes that form as a result of glacier retreat lack stability and can burst through their sediment banks or ice dams at any time, which often causes major floods downstream.
These “outburst floods” have destroyed entire villages and killed thousands of people over the last century, according to NASA.
Video Credit: NASA Goddard
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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer