Story: Glaciers and glaciation

Glacial lakes

Glacial lakes

Two large glacial lakes lie in the central part of the Southern Alps: Pūkaki (left) and Tekapo. Both are dammed by moraines. The turquoise colour is caused by finely ground rock flour suspended in the water.

Lake Pūkaki is mainly fed by the braided Tasman River, which flows out of the Tasman Glacier. Because the glacier has been gradually melting, its surface is covered by dark-coloured moraine, so it does not stand out clearly here. Lake Tekapo is mainly fed by the Godley River, which flows from the relatively small Godley Glacier.

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Glaciers and glaciation - Tasman, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/10732/glacial-lakes (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 24 Sep 2007, updated 1 Apr 2021