PhD: Hazards assessment of glacier surge-dammed lakes and glacial lake outburst floods

Project Description

Glacial lakes in high mountain environments present a hazard to downstream communities because they can drain abruptly as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Whilst a large amount of attention is paid to moraine-dammed lakes that are expanding as glaciers retreat, lakes are also known to form when glaciers advance and block valleys as part of a surge cycle, known as ice-dammed lakes. These ice-dammed lakes are inherently unstable and are known to undergo episodic drainage events, presenting a persistent hazard over several years, and possibly trigger other hazards such as landslides. This PhD project seeks to investigate the characteristics and dynamics of ice-dammed lakes formed by glacier surges, with a primary focus on High Mountain Asia but with potential for a global analysis. The project will (1) explore the evolution of surge-dammed lakes through the various stages of formation, expansion and drainage using satellite imagery and digital elevation models; (2) develop a GIS based model for predicting surge-dammed lake hazards; and (3) explore how the model could be used for developing early warning systems or impact based forecasting. There may be opportunities for fieldwork as part of the project. The work has direct policy relevance to the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction through enhancing our understanding of ice-dammed lake outburst floods (Pillar 1) and enhancing preparedness and early warning systems (Pillar 4).

Research themes

Climate and Environmental Change

Project Specific Training

The student will receive training in project-specific GIS and remote-sensing data analysis and data modelling through one-to-one instruction by the supervisory team. The supervisory team and external partner have all of the relevant experience and expertise required for project-specific training, but external training opportunities such as the UNIS Glaciology Course (AG-325) will also be considered.

Potential Career Trajectory

This PhD project will support careers pathways within academia, e.g. postdoctoral research and lectureships, through training opportunities at UoP such as the Graduate Students Professional Development (GProf) course in teaching and learning in HE and departmental opportunities to demonstrate on undergraduate and masters level practicals and fieldwork. Outside of academia, the skills/experience acquired through the PhD will support careers in hazards management and mitigation, disaster response, and related industries such as GIS consultancy, reinsurance, humanitarian relief and policy and advocacy.