Work

Catastrophic multi-phase mass flow from temperate glacier catchments in Southeast Tibetan Plateau

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Catastrophic multi-phase mass flows (CMMFs) constitute significant geohazards in high mountain cryosphere area, particularly in Southeastern Tibet Plateau (SETP) where temperate glaciers retreat rapidly. Research on the CMMFs is still limited for a systematic understanding of relationships between their magnitude-frequency and susceptibility. In this study, we re-evaluated eight temperate glacial catchments affected by recurrent CMMFs using multi-source geophysical data to quantitatively evaluate their hypsometry, glacier characteristics, and instability. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) framework was employed to evaluate the CMMFs susceptibility. We showed that these CMMF events typically transpire during summer monsoon seasons, while ice avalanches can occur during cold seasons, glacier debris flows showing significantly elevated susceptibility. This study provides an analysis strategy for hazard assessment and risk adaptation of CMMFs.

Source: Geomatics Natural Hazards and Risk

DOI: 10.1080/19475705.2025.2577172

Authors: Xueyuan Lu, Qiao Liu, Yunyi Luo, Yongsheng Yin, Jiawei Yang

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Landslides and related hazards

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,790