Enhanced glacial lake activity threatens numerous communities and infrastructure in the Third Pole
Abstract Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are among the most severe cryospheric hazards in the Third Pole, encompassing the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Tianshan Mountains. Recent studies on glacial lake changes and GLOF characteristics and risks in this region have...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44123-z |
| _version_ | 1797388197915787264 |
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| author | Taigang Zhang Weicai Wang Baosheng An Lele Wei |
| author_facet | Taigang Zhang Weicai Wang Baosheng An Lele Wei |
| author_sort | Taigang Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are among the most severe cryospheric hazards in the Third Pole, encompassing the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Tianshan Mountains. Recent studies on glacial lake changes and GLOF characteristics and risks in this region have shown scattered and insufficiently detailed features. Here, we conduct an appraisal of the GLOF risks by combining high-resolution satellite images, case-by-case high-precision GLOF modeling, and detailed downstream exposure data. The glacial lake changes from 2018 to 2022 in the region were primarily driven by the accelerated expansion of proglacial lakes. The GLOF frequency has exhibited a significant increasing trend since 1980, with intensified activity in Southeastern Tibet and the China-Nepal border area over the past decade. Approximately 6,353 km2 of land could be at risk from potential GLOFs, posing threats to 55,808 buildings, 105 hydropower projects, 194 km2 of farmland, 5,005 km of roads, and 4,038 bridges. This study directly responds to the need for local disaster prevention and mitigation strategies, highlighting the urgent requirement of reducing GLOF threats in the Third Pole and the importance of regional cooperation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:37:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5a7c4e76c2e349dcab1a7a3bfe940550 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:37:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-5a7c4e76c2e349dcab1a7a3bfe9405502023-12-17T12:23:15ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232023-12-0114111210.1038/s41467-023-44123-zEnhanced glacial lake activity threatens numerous communities and infrastructure in the Third PoleTaigang Zhang0Weicai Wang1Baosheng An2Lele Wei3State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of SciencesState Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of SciencesState Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of SciencesState Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are among the most severe cryospheric hazards in the Third Pole, encompassing the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Tianshan Mountains. Recent studies on glacial lake changes and GLOF characteristics and risks in this region have shown scattered and insufficiently detailed features. Here, we conduct an appraisal of the GLOF risks by combining high-resolution satellite images, case-by-case high-precision GLOF modeling, and detailed downstream exposure data. The glacial lake changes from 2018 to 2022 in the region were primarily driven by the accelerated expansion of proglacial lakes. The GLOF frequency has exhibited a significant increasing trend since 1980, with intensified activity in Southeastern Tibet and the China-Nepal border area over the past decade. Approximately 6,353 km2 of land could be at risk from potential GLOFs, posing threats to 55,808 buildings, 105 hydropower projects, 194 km2 of farmland, 5,005 km of roads, and 4,038 bridges. This study directly responds to the need for local disaster prevention and mitigation strategies, highlighting the urgent requirement of reducing GLOF threats in the Third Pole and the importance of regional cooperation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44123-z |
| spellingShingle | Taigang Zhang Weicai Wang Baosheng An Lele Wei Enhanced glacial lake activity threatens numerous communities and infrastructure in the Third Pole Nature Communications |
| title | Enhanced glacial lake activity threatens numerous communities and infrastructure in the Third Pole |
| title_full | Enhanced glacial lake activity threatens numerous communities and infrastructure in the Third Pole |
| title_fullStr | Enhanced glacial lake activity threatens numerous communities and infrastructure in the Third Pole |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhanced glacial lake activity threatens numerous communities and infrastructure in the Third Pole |
| title_short | Enhanced glacial lake activity threatens numerous communities and infrastructure in the Third Pole |
| title_sort | enhanced glacial lake activity threatens numerous communities and infrastructure in the third pole |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44123-z |
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