CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
Search Results
Author : Clague, J.J.; and Evans, S.G.
Date : 1994
Title : Formation and failure of natural dams in the Canadian Cordillera
Publication : Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin
Issue : 464
Page(s) : 35 p
Abstract
In western Canada, existing and former lakes dammed by landslides, moraines, and glaciers have drained suddenly to produce floods, orders of magnitude larger than normal streamflows. Landslide dams consisting of failed bedrock generally are stable, whereas those comprising Quaternary sediments or volcanic debris fail soon after they form, typically by overtopping and incision. Moraine dams are susceptible to failure because they are steep-sided and consist of loose, poorly sorted sediment. Irreversible rapid incision of a moraine dam may result from a large overflow associated with a severe rainstorm, avalanche, or rockfall. Some glacier-dammed lakes drain suddenly through englacial and subglacial tunnels to produce large floods.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology