Risk of debris flow downstream of glaciers, Peru

Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 02 February 2016 at 10:46:34 UTC
Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 16 May 2018 at 10:45:59 UTC
Sentinel-2 MSI acquired on 23 June 2018 at 15:26:39 UTC
Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 17 February 2021 at 10:46:16 UTC
Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 17 June 2021 at 10:46:20 UTC
Author(s): Sentinel Vision team, VisioTerra, France - svp@visioterra.fr
Keyword(s): Geohazard, cryosphere, glacier, climate change, global warming, lake, earthquake, landslide, urban planning.
Fig. 1 - S2 (23.06.2018) - In Peru, former Yungay (red) and new Yungay (orange) lie beneath Andean glaciers and glacial lakes.
2D view
Fig. 2 - S2 (23.06.2018) - Earthquake and ice melt may trigger debris flow in this landslides-prone region.
3D view
Fig. 3 - S2 (23.06.2018) - Former Yungay was located downstream of glacier and glacial lakes.
3D view
In 1962 an avalanche killed 4000 people of Yungay. On 31 May 1970, an earthquake caused an unstable mass of glacial ice to fall of the 6746m high mountain, causing a debris avalanche. Over 50 million m3 of debris slid approximately 15 km downhill, reaching speeds between 500 and 1000 km/h. It buried Yungay and Ranrahirca which of only 400 out of 20 000 inhabitants survived.
Fig. 4 - S1 - Next to the dark area of Former Yungay, New Yungai has been built in a safer location.
3D view
Fig. 5 - S2 (23.06.2018) - Many other cities in the region are concerned by this threat such as Huaraz downstream of Lake Palcacocha.
3D view
Fig. 6 - Landsat-5 (15.05.1987) - The lake has grown largely since this image, it causes the risk of an landslide-triggered tsunami.
3D view
The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency or the European Union.
Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2024, processed by VisioTerra.
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