Top 100 Glacial Lakes¶

Introduction¶

Top 100 Glacial Lakes is a list of glacial lakes that are characterized by their high water levels, slow-moving water, and often pristine natural surroundings. These lakes are formed when glaciers carve out valleys and create depressions in the Earth's surface, which can then be filled with meltwater from surrounding mountains.

These lakes offer breathtaking scenery and diverse ecosystems, making them a popular destination for hikers, scientists, and nature enthusiasts.

Key Facts¶

The list includes glacial lakes in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Most of the lakes are located in mountainous regions at elevations above 1,000 meters (3,300 ft).
Glaciers that formed these lakes typically originated from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland, or Alaska.

Mountains Where Lakes Are Formed¶

Canadian Arctic Archipelago¶

Lake Louise: Located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.
Lake Agassiz: Also located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.
St. Elias Glacier Lake: A glacial lake formed by the St. Elias Glacier, located in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Greenland¶

Nares Lake: Located on Ellesmere Island, Greenland.
Ilulissat Icefjord: A fjord system with numerous glacial lakes, including Ilulissat Icefjord, located in Ilulissat, Greenland.

European Glaciers¶

Scandinavia¶

Sarek Lake: Located on Sarek Island in Abisko National Park, Sweden.
Blekinge Lake: A small lake formed by the Blekinge Glacier, located in Swedish Lapland.

Asia and Australia¶

Lake Vida, Antarctica: One of the few permanently ice-covered lakes outside the Arctic Circle.
Lake Poyang, China: The largest freshwater lake in Asia, but not strictly a glacial lake.

Historical Context¶

Human habitation in these regions dates back thousands of years. Indigenous peoples have traditionally relied on these lakes for food, transportation, and spiritual practices.

The first scientific study of glacial lakes was conducted by Swiss geographer Johann Karl Friedrich Lambert in the 19th century. He recognized the importance of glacial lakes as natural resources and developed methods to map their distribution.