Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are catastrophic discharges of water resulting primarily from melting glaciers. The accelerated retreat of the glaciers worldwide in recent times has led to an increased number and an enlargement of several glacial lakes (either moraine- or glacier- dammed) in mountain regions worldwide and is a matter of great concern. Over the past few years there has been an increase in understanding of glacier-impounded, ice- or moraine dammed lake behaviour and on their drainage mechanisms (e.g. j�¶kulhlaups). This session aims at giving an overview of the current knowledge related to GLOFs, highlighting key developments and outlining areas of study still subject to difficulties.

This year we are trying to attract contributions on the following topics with respect to glacial hazards:

* Supra-glacial lake formation and development
* En-glacial hydrological processes
* Glacier dynamics and hydrology
* Geophysical investigation methods
* Hazard assessment and prediction
* Technological advances in remote sensing, GIS and flood modelling
* Geopolitics of glacial hazard management