 Glacial lake outburst flood

A glacial lake outburst flood is rapid release of water stored in or behind glacial ice or its associated dam. Melt-driven enlargement of a subglacial channel can create positive feedback between discharge, frictional heating and further channel opening. Lake depletion and pressure-dependent material creep closure then alter the event. Channel models explain one mechanism and should not be taken as a universal description of every glacial flood.