Scientists from around the world are currently meeting in Huaraz, Peru to exchange knowledge about the critical importance of high mountain glacial watersheds and receive education and training on rapidly forming glacial lakes and the outburst flood threats that they pose.  The Glacial Flooding and Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Exchange and Field Training is being put on by The Mountain Institute in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  The conference is being attended by participants from Peru, Nepal, Bolivia, Japan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Switzerland and the United States.  The schedule consists of a series of presentations, discussions and knowledge exchanges followed by hands-on trainings and field studies in the Cordillera Blanca.

For more information on the High Mountain Glacial Watershed Program, please visit: www.highmountains.org.

Marcelo Somos points to the source of potential ice avalanches that could reach Llaca glacial lake located at an altitude of about 4,400m. Somos is currently modeling the risk posed by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) to the city of Huaraz down the valley.

Dr. Wilfried Haeberli from the University of Zurich is one of the world's most renowned glaciologists--and an enthusiastic and passionate teacher. Here he's explaining what happens when a mountain's permafrost melts: rock walls can collapse and strike glacial lakes like Llaca Laguna behind him. Large masses of rock or ice hitting the lake can trigger a GLOF like those in the past that have devastated towns located downstream in the Cordillera Blanca.

Dr. Wilfried Haeberli talking to conference participants at Llaca glacial lake about slope stability and glacial lake management issues.