Kazakhstan scientists inspect moraine lakes in Zailiysky Alatau
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Scientists from three research organizations have begun detailed monitoring of moraine lakes in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains, commissioned by Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry. The goal is to assess the condition of the most breach-prone natural reservoirs. Based on the data, Kazselezashchita will develop a forecast and action plan for potential threats.
The Survey
Eight potentially dangerous glacial lakes are located in the upper reaches of major mountain rivers flowing through Almaty and Almaty region, according to Kazselezashchita. Scientists from the Central Asian Glaciological Center under UNESCO, the Kazakhstan Institute of Ionosphere, and the geological faculty of Kazakh National University are conducting the research. They use specialized equipment delivered by Emergency Ministry aviation.
Lake No. 15
Moraine lake No. 15 sits at 3,600 meters above sea level on the northern slope of the Zailiysky Alatau. Its size and depth depend on the melting of nearby glaciers. Glaciologists note that this season in the Northern Tien Shan region has unusually high average daily temperatures. Monitoring will continue until the end of summer.
Technology Used
Bathymetric surveys are conducted using two drones — an aerial one with a lidar and a surface hydrographic device Apache-6 with a powerful sonar. The lidar creates a precise 3D model of the terrain, which takes 8 to 12 hours to process. The surface drone measures depth, which ranges from 40 centimeters to several tens of meters, and assesses the condition of the lake's natural dam.
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