Investigation of glacier bursts of the Yarkant River in Xinjiang, China

The jökulhlaups in the Yarkant (Yarkand) River are usually caused by the sudden drainage of glacier-dammed lakes through rapidly expanding subglacial channels. The lakes are dammed by Keyajir (Kyagar) Glacier and Telamukanli (Singye) Glacier which are situated in the upper reaches of the Keleqin (Shaksgam) River. In recent years the glaciers have become thinner, and the glacier-dammed lakes and their outbursts have become smaller.