PUCAJIRCA

 

Event description

 

On April 22, 2002, a rock avalanche occurred immediately to the south-west of Laguna Safuna Alta, in the Cordillera Blanca. Field mapping indicated that the avalanche deposited 8 - 20 Mio m3 of rock into the lake onto the surface of the frontal region of Glaciar Pucajirca, which flows into the lake. To achieve overtopping, the maximum wave height must have been greater than 100 m. The resulting flood damaged lake security structures, and killed cattle that had been grazing in the area; but the moraine dam remained substantially intact and was largely contained within a lower lake, Laguna Safuna Baja.

 

Damage

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The resulting flood damaged lake security structures, and killed cattle that had been grazing in the area.

 

Data source

 

Hubbard et al. (2005): Impact of a rock avalanche on a moraine-dammed proglacial lake: Laguna Safuna Alta, Cordillera Blanca, Peru. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 30, 1251 - 1264.

 

Remarks