Mont Blanc Glacier Flood Risk
Tete Rousse glacial water level poses risk
After we reported last Otober that the Tete Rousse glacial water levels were brought safely under control, recent inspections have shown that water levels have crept back up.
Last spring researchers from the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) discovered a huge water packet in the glacier that posed a flood threat to the village of Saint Gervais if it were to burst.
The water pocket was said to have previously cumulated to a massive 65,000 cubic metres and sensors are now showing that after drainage the water level has already climbed up to 4,000 cubic metres.
This proves quite a surprise considering the major summer melt has not started yet.
A new detection system has allowed technicians to survey the threat level so they can decide when to start the drainage process again.
The pocket is situated 40 metres under the ice however in some areas the ice layer is a mere 6 metres thick, whilst the cavity itself is 30 metres deep - if you have difficulty imagining this then check out this video where we get a inside view of the glacier pocket:
