Current:Home > ScamsWhat caused an Alaskan glacier to cause major flooding near Juneau -Stellar Wealth Sphere
What caused an Alaskan glacier to cause major flooding near Juneau
View
Date:2025-04-12 21:57:43
A glacier lake outburst flood is wreaking havoc near Juneau, Alaska, where structures have been destroyed as a result of a break on the Mendenhall Glacier.
The flooding is due to an outburst flood on Suicide Basin, a side basin on the Mendenhall Glacier, located about 12 miles north of Alaska's state capital. A glacial lake outburst flood occurs when a dam containing a glacial lake breaks.
The flooding has destroyed several structures along the Mendenhall River, according to the National Weather Service. Trees and debris are currently littering the river.
MORE: Greenland Ice Sheet melting faster than previously thought, scientists say
Video taken by resident Sam Nolan shows a multi-story structure collapsing into the river. Nolan watched for more than an hour as the home succumbed to the floodwaters, he said.
"It was really sad to see, but all we could do was stand there and watch," Nolan said.
Other videos taken by residents show debris and trees floating in Mendenhall River close to Juneau International Airport.
MORE: Greenland Ice Sheet melting faster than previously thought, scientists say
The Mendenhall Lake level crested at 14.97 feet on Saturday around 11:15 p.m. local time, well above the previous record of 11.99 feet in July 2016. Significant flooding was reported in areas that previously have not seen flooding, and there has been significant erosion along the riverbanks, according to the NWS.
Waters have been falling at a rapid pace of .7 feet per hour, but flooding is ongoing, the NWS said.
The flooding has closed several roads in the region, including bridges, according to the city of Juneau.
MORE: Antarctic sea ice has reached a record low for the year, researchers say
City emergency operations urged residents to stay away from the river during the duration of the flood event.
Suicide Basin has been releasing glacier lake outburst floods that cause inundation along Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River since 2011, according to the National Weather Service.
The risk of flooding from melted glaciers to increase as climate warms, a study published in Nature Climate Change in 2021 found.
ABC News' Helena Skinner and Samira Said contributed to this report.
veryGood! (1476)
Related
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Vibrating haptic suits give deaf people a new way to feel live music
- Court pauses order limiting Biden administration contact with social media companies
- Tom Cruise and Son Connor Cruise Make Rare Joint Outing Together in NYC
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Climate Change and Habitat Loss is Driving Some Primates Down From the Trees and Toward an Uncertain Future
- Lawyers Press International Court to Investigate a ‘Network’ Committing Crimes Against Humanity in Brazil’s Amazon
- U.S. is barred from combating disinformation on social media. Here's what it means
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Get Shiny, Frizz-Free, Waterproof Hair With These 30% Off Color Wow Deals From Amazon Prime Day 2023
Ranking
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Boats, bikes and the Beigies
- Claire Danes Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Hugh Dancy
- Las Vegas just unveiled its new $2.3 billion spherical entertainment venue
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Britney Spears’ Upcoming Memoir Has a Release Date—And Its Sooner Than You Might Think
- What the Supreme Court's rejection of student loan relief means for borrowers
- Prime Day 2023 Deal: 30% Off the Celeb-Loved Laneige Lip Mask Used by Sydney Sweeney, Alix Earle & More
Recommendation
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
'Barbie' beats 'Oppenheimer' at the box office with a record $155 million debut
This is Canada's worst fire season in modern history — but it's not new
A Big Federal Grant Aims to Make Baltimore a Laboratory for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
KitchenAid Mixer Flash Deal: Take $180 off During the Amazon Prime Day 2023 Sale
At a Global Conference on Clean Energy, Granholm Announces Billions in Federal Aid for Carbon Capture and Emerging Technology
Legacy admissions, the Russian Ruble and Final Fantasy XVI