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In the increasing heating of the atmosphere due to climate change Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are becoming more critical in the current century. Last decades GLOFs have already taken thousand of lives.

Does the current demand of research of GLOFs and Geo-Risk-Managment fit into a Master-Thesis in "Applied Geoscience" ?

Our Institute covers Hydrogeology, Georisks and Geological Engineering.

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The latest satellite images have been utilized to update the inventories of glaciers and glacial lakes in the Pumqu river basin, Xizang (Tibet), in the study [Che et al. 2014]. Compared to the inventories of the 1970s, the areas of glaciers are reduced by 19.05% while the areas of glacial lakes are increased by 26.76%. The magnitudes of glacier retreat rates and glacial lake increase rates during the period of 2001–2013 are more significant than those of the period of the 1970s–2001. The accelerated changes in areas of the glaciers and glacial lakes, as well as the increasing temperature and rising variability of precipitation, have resulted in an increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in the Pumqu river basin.

Integrated criteria were established to identify potentially dangerous glacial lakes based on a bibliometric analysis method. It was found that in total, 19 glacial lakes were identified as dangerous. Such findings suggest that there is an immediate need to conduct field surveys, not only to validate the findings, but also to acquire information for further use in order to assure the welfare of humans.

Also, it is concluded that global warming is the main reason for glacier recession and glacial lake expansion in the region of Pumqu river basin.

Can flood paths be identified in mountainous areas? What is the solution? And what solutions can be offered to prevent flooding in human settlements in cities and villages?

like incessant rain, increased hydrostatic pressure, and rapid ice melt, a large amount of lake water can be suddenly released. This leads to dam instability and eventual breach, triggering a GLOF (number . Similarly, LLOFs also involve breaching dams. However, LLOFs dams are formed by earthquakes or rainfall-induced landslides blocking streams and rivers. The landslide carries soil, debris, and other materials blocking streams and rivers to form landslide dams .which in turn create dammed lakes. Rising lake levels and erosion of the dam’s sidewall can destabilize its structural integrity. If the dam fails, it can suddenly release large volumes of water downstream, triggering an LLOF (number .Overall, climate conditions interact with cryospheric and geological environments, collectively driving the occurrence and development of GLOFs and LLOFs. Y. Bai et al. Science Bulletin Our analysis shows that humans and infrastructure in HMA have been exposed to increased risk from various floods in the past seven decades. PFs have the broadest impact, causing at least 23,900 deaths and displacing 105 million people from 1950 to 2023. The PFs triggered by monsoon rains are particularly concerning due to their widespread impact, prolonged duration, and tendency to cause severe casualties and displacements (Fig. S11 online). Additionally, our statistical analysis reveals a significant positive correlation between the number of fatalities and rainfall intensity . Unlike PFs, SFs often mobilize large ice blocks and meltwater, potentially transforming or cascading into debris flows and landslides. On average, each SF in HMA has caused 18 fatalities, affected approximately 128,000 people, damaged 3,378 ha of crops and killed 553 livestock . GLOFs on the other hand have far-reaching impacts, also causing devastating damage to settlements and infrastructure downstream. For instance, over 6,000 fatalities were reported in June 2013 due to the Chorabari glacial lake outburst in the western Himalayas . Like GLOFs, when LLOFs occur, they release a huge volume of water, generating extremely high peak flows and catastrophic floods. Meanwhile, we observe a marked population growth and expansion of infrastructure (e.g., hydropower, buildings, and transportation) in HMA (Fig. S13 online), with an average annual growth rate of 1.53% and 7.11%, respectively. This growth trend is expected to continue under various socio-economic development scenarios .and the exposure to flood risks may further intensify in the future. Besides their direct impact on population and infrastructure, floods can trigger a series of environmental issues and landscape instabilities . Very extreme floods can transport large amounts of sediment and pollutants which could accumulate in downstream river channels and floodplains. These pose serious threats to human health and environmental safety and even delay postflood recovery efforts. For instance, in 1975, spring SFs in Xinjiang, China, washed a large amount of sediment into channels, resulting in 70,000 m3 of sediment accumulation and delaying channel discharge for several months (Fid16 in Table S2 online). Extreme floods can also alter river morphology, resulting in riverbed elevation changes, channel widening, or even river avulsion . For instance, such processes were observed when the Kosi River was flooding in 2008. . Additionally, floods may transport long buried soil organic carbon .and mercury, affecting the regional carbon cycle and drinking water quality. Our state-of-the-art flood inventory is comprehensively compiled from public databases, flood yearbooks, media reports, and literature, and highlights the changes of flood complexity over the past seven decades. We highlight the flood complexity and increasing flood exposure risks due to the growth of infrastructure and population in HMA. The complex trends in flooding frequency arise from the interplay between climate warming, shifted precipitation patterns, rapid melting of glaciers, snow cover, and permafrost, as well as more research and public attention (Supplementary Text S6 online). In a warming future accompanied by accelerating glacier melting, snowfall-rainfall shift, more frequent rainfall extremes, and growing human activities, flooding risk in HMA is expected to further increase without effective adaptive measures. We emphasize that identifying risk-sensitive areas and adjusting the spatial distribution of population and socio-economic activities are essential in the future. Additionally, international data sharing and encouraging indigenous people, especially the youth, to participate in local flood mitigation efforts are vital for creating further awareness and addressing climate challenges in HMA.

Can flood paths be identified in mountainous areas? What is the solution? And what solutions can be offered to prevent flooding in human settlements in cities and villages?

like incessant rain, increased hydrostatic pressure, and rapid ice melt, a large amount of lake water can be suddenly released. This leads to dam instability and eventual breach, triggering a GLOF (number . Similarly, LLOFs also involve breaching dams. However, LLOFs dams are formed by earthquakes or rainfall-induced landslides blocking streams and rivers. The landslide carries soil, debris, and other materials blocking streams and rivers to form landslide dams .which in turn create dammed lakes. Rising lake levels and erosion of the dam’s sidewall can destabilize its structural integrity. If the dam fails, it can suddenly release large volumes of water downstream, triggering an LLOF (number .Overall, climate conditions interact with cryospheric and geological environments, collectively driving the occurrence and development of GLOFs and LLOFs. Y. Bai et al. Science Bulletin Our analysis shows that humans and infrastructure in HMA have been exposed to increased risk from various floods in the past seven decades. PFs have the broadest impact, causing at least 23,900 deaths and displacing 105 million people from 1950 to 2023. The PFs triggered by monsoon rains are particularly concerning due to their widespread impact, prolonged duration, and tendency to cause severe casualties and displacements (Fig. S11 online). Additionally, our statistical analysis reveals a significant positive correlation between the number of fatalities and rainfall intensity . Unlike PFs, SFs often mobilize large ice blocks and meltwater, potentially transforming or cascading into debris flows and landslides. On average, each SF in HMA has caused 18 fatalities, affected approximately 128,000 people, damaged 3,378 ha of crops and killed 553 livestock . GLOFs on the other hand have far-reaching impacts, also causing devastating damage to settlements and infrastructure downstream. For instance, over 6,000 fatalities were reported in June 2013 due to the Chorabari glacial lake outburst in the western Himalayas . Like GLOFs, when LLOFs occur, they release a huge volume of water, generating extremely high peak flows and catastrophic floods. Meanwhile, we observe a marked population growth and expansion of infrastructure (e.g., hydropower, buildings, and transportation) in HMA (Fig. S13 online), with an average annual growth rate of 1.53% and 7.11%, respectively. This growth trend is expected to continue under various socio-economic development scenarios .and the exposure to flood risks may further intensify in the future. Besides their direct impact on population and infrastructure, floods can trigger a series of environmental issues and landscape instabilities . Very extreme floods can transport large amounts of sediment and pollutants which could accumulate in downstream river channels and floodplains. These pose serious threats to human health and environmental safety and even delay postflood recovery efforts. For instance, in 1975, spring SFs in Xinjiang, China, washed a large amount of sediment into channels, resulting in 70,000 m3 of sediment accumulation and delaying channel discharge for several months (Fid16 in Table S2 online). Extreme floods can also alter river morphology, resulting in riverbed elevation changes, channel widening, or even river avulsion . For instance, such processes were observed when the Kosi River was flooding in 2008. . Additionally, floods may transport long buried soil organic carbon .and mercury, affecting the regional carbon cycle and drinking water quality. Our state-of-the-art flood inventory is comprehensively compiled from public databases, flood yearbooks, media reports, and literature, and highlights the changes of flood complexity over the past seven decades. We highlight the flood complexity and increasing flood exposure risks due to the growth of infrastructure and population in HMA. The complex trends in flooding frequency arise from the interplay between climate warming, shifted precipitation patterns, rapid melting of glaciers, snow cover, and permafrost, as well as more research and public attention (Supplementary Text S6 online). In a warming future accompanied by accelerating glacier melting, snowfall-rainfall shift, more frequent rainfall extremes, and growing human activities, flooding risk in HMA is expected to further increase without effective adaptive measures. We emphasize that identifying risk-sensitive areas and adjusting the spatial distribution of population and socio-economic activities are essential in the future. Additionally, international data sharing and encouraging indigenous people, especially the youth, to participate in local flood mitigation efforts are vital for creating further awareness and addressing climate challenges in HMA.

Sara Conejo Fernández added a reply

15 hours ago

Las áreas propensas a inundaciones en regiones montañosas se pueden reconocer utilizando mapas de riesgo y técnicas de mapeo. Para evitar inundaciones en comunidades, se utilizan métodos tanto estructurales como no estructurales.

Las soluciones estructurales comprenden estructuras como muros de contención, presas, embalses y la desviación de cursos de ríos. Las opciones no estructurales incluyen sistemas de alerta anticipada, planificación del uso de la tierra y reforestación.

La integración de estas tácticas, adaptadas a cada región particular, es fundamental para una prevención eficaz de inundaciones en zonas montañosas pobladas.

The journal Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292, IF 5.349) is currently running a Special Issue entitled, “Remote Sensing Applications in Flood Forecasting and Monitoring.” Dr. Sk Ajim Ali, Dr. Bahram Choubin, Dr. Farhana Parvin, Dr. Quoc Bao Pham, and Dr. Meriame Mohajane are serving as Guest Editors for this issue. We think you could make an exceptional contribution based on your expertise in this particular field.

Considering all these advantages of remote sensing, the main objective of this Special Issue is to provide a scientific forum for advancing the successful application of remote sensing (RS) technologies and geographic information system (GIS)-based methods toward flood forecasting and monitoring in various flood-prone terrains on Earth, as well as to foster informed discussions among scientists and stakeholders on this pressing issue.

This Special Issue aims to provide an outlet for high-quality peer-reviewed publications that implement state-of-the-art methods and techniques incorporating geoinformatics-based methods to map, evaluate, and model flood forecasting, its monitoring, and their implications, together with the framing of newer hypotheses that can further understandings of the operative processes.

The Special Issue may include (without being limited to) the following themes:

Given your competence in this area, we invite you to contribute a paper on the aforementioned subjects or any relevant issues.

With best regards,

Dr. Sk Ajim Ali Dr. Bahram Choubin Dr. Farhana Parvin Dr. Quoc Bao Pham Dr. Meriame Mohajane Guest Editors

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.