Large-scale outbursts of lakes in the Antarctic oases: current knowledge

Abstract

In recent decades, the importance of studying the outburst lakes of Antarctic oases has been increasing, which is associated with a number of applied and fundamental problems. First of all, because supraglacial, englacial, and glacier-dammed lakes are characterized by a quick response to the climate changes. In the applied aspect, active (unstable) lakes and seasonal streams are relevant for research since they often provoke catastrophic natural disasters. Monitoring and prevention of such events are primarily necessary in the areas of Antarctic stations, where many year-round and seasonal research programs are implemented. This article presents historical and the present- day data and descriptions of lake outbursts located in the oases of East Antarctica. The study is based on the generalization of both published and unpublished materials presented in the funds of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (St. Petersburg), in scientific and technical reports of the Soviet Antarctic Expedition and Russian Antarctic Expedition, Information bulletins (newsletters) of the Soviet Antarctic expeditions, and foreign articles. In addition to that, the results of fieldwork carried out in 2017–2020 were used. Currently, the aforementioned materials are in different form and funds, so the proposed study is the first step of generalizing research on the potential outburst water bodies on the Antarctic Continent. Through to the ongoing work, albeit irregular, our understanding of functioning of the surface hydrological systems of Antarctic oases is steadily growing.

Keywords

• антарктические оазисы
• опасные гидрологические явления
• прорывы озёр
• гидрологические исследования
• восточная антарктида