New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics abstracts
Outburst flooding at Franz Josef Glacier, South Westland, New
Zealand
B. Goodsell
B. Anderson
W. J. Lawson
I. F. Owens
Department of Geography
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand
Abstract During February and March 2003, a series
of unusual events involving supraglacial flooding and ice collapse
affected an area of Franz Josef Glacier, South Westland, New Zealand.
This paper describes these events and examines rainfall and river stage
data in order to explain their occurrence. Relationships between
rainfall events, supraglacial flooding, and stage of the Waiho River
suggest that subglacial water was rerouted to a supraglacial position,
most likely resulting from blockage of the subglacial route by ice
collapse near the base of the main icefall on the lower part of the
glacier. Review of previous literature reveals that a variety of flood
and ice collapse events are frequent at Franz Josef Glacier. While this
is only one of several natural hazards in the Franz Josef area, it is
of considerable importance because of the large number and significant
duration of tourist visits to the terminus and onto the lower part of
the glacier.
Keywords Franz Josef Glacier; glacier hydrology;
glacier outburst floods; jökulhlaups; Waiho River; natural hazard
G03025; Received 13 August 2003; accepted 17 March 2004; Online
publication date 23 March 2005
New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 2005, Vol. 48:
95–104
0028–8306/05/4801–0095 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2005
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