Lakes grow in Kyrgyzstan's Ala-Archa gorge due to melting buried ice

A notable increase in the number and size of thermokarst lakes is occurring within the Adygen moraine complex, located in the Ala-Archa gorge of Kyrgyzstan. Glaciologist Gulbara Omorova has reported these findings, indicating a significant change in the region's glacial landscape.

These lakes are forming due to the melting of buried ice, a process characteristic of thermokarst development. As the buried ice thaws, the ground surface subsides, creating depressions that fill with water, forming new lakes or expanding existing ones.

The Ala-Archa gorge is a popular destination for mountaineering and trekking, situated within the Kyrgyz Alatau mountain range. The observed changes in glacial features like moraine complexes and the formation of thermokarst lakes are often indicators of broader climatic shifts and rising temperatures affecting high-mountain environments.

Omorova's observations underscore the dynamic nature of glacial and periglacial environments. The expansion of these lakes can have implications for local hydrology, landscape stability, and potentially pose risks such as outburst floods if lake structures become unstable. Further monitoring of these changes is crucial for understanding the impact of climate change on Kyrgyzstan's mountainous terrain.

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The number and area of thermokarst lakes are increasing in the Adygen moraine complex in the Ala-Archa gorge.