Summary On September 20, 2002, a disaster struck unprepared villages in North Ossetia, Russia. Colossal debris flow resulting from the complete detachment of the Kolka (Evans et al, 2009; Kotlyakov et al, 2004). The glacier moved at extreme speeds, reaching a distance of approximately 20 km from the glacial bed to Kamadon in the Genaldon Valley (Kotlyakov et al, 2004). A mudflow traveled another 15 km and stopped a few kilometers from Gisel (Haeberli et al, 2004). The slide directly claimed the lives of 125 people, while overflows from newly formed lakes dammed by sedimentary debris threatened local villages with flooding and further losses (Kotyakov et al, 2004). The catastrophic acceleration and complete ejection of the valley glacier from its bed is unique to this event and has not been documented elsewhere (Chernomorets, 2007). The mechanism of this risk involves a complex interaction between the unique climatic and geological conditions of the region. The 2002 disaster prompted much research into the natural hazards associated with glaciers, which provided options for improved preventive measures that will reduce losses in future events. Location: Geographical position of the Kolka GlacierThe Kolka Glacier is located in the North Caucasus Mountains of Ossetia, Russia (Fig.1). The glacier is located on the northern slope of the Kazbek massif, in the Genaldon River basin. The basin is home to several glaciers, the largest being the Maili Glacier, adjacent to the Kolka Glacier. The coordinates of the Kolka Glacier are 42° 44′ 23″ N, 44° 28′ 24″ E (Google Earth). Physical morphology: the Kolka glacier and its surroundings. The Kolka glacier is classified as a cirque valley glacier (Fig. 1), with its accumulation z...... middle of paper ...... debris flows in areas similar to the Kazbek massif (Stoffel et al, 2012). These events must be treated as complex systems, unlike the simple mechanisms currently used to explain a large number of processes linked to natural hazards (Chernomorets et al, 2007). When using models to predict such events, variables associated with climate change are important and should not be excluded. The use of satellites will facilitate constant long-term monitoring of the region's glaciers (Quincey et al, 2005). If glaciers are monitored consistently and carefully, it will be possible to distribute a warning signal to local residents when natural hazard conditions are very likely. Relocating settlements to higher ground, as in historic times, will help reduce the costs inflicted by debris flow events on infrastructure and in terms of lives lost.