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Elevation-dependent landsliding driven by climate change in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis
Chengbin Zou1, John D Jansen2, Xiangyang Dou1,3
1State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China.
Climate change is increasing landslide volumes in high mountain regions. Warming temperatures cause more rain and less snow, leading to upslope migration of landslides in the Himalayas.
Area of Science:
- Earth Science
- Climate Science
- Geology
Background:
- High mountain regions, especially cryospheric landscapes, are sensitive to climate change.
- Recent trends in precipitation and temperature are altering hillslope stability.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for hazard assessment in areas like the eastern Himalayas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of climate change on landsliding in high mountain regions.
- To quantify changes in landslide activity in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis.
- To assess the role of warming temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of a comprehensive landslide inventory (8607 events, 1987-2020).
- Analysis of climate-related landslide distribution and volumes at high elevations (>3000 m).
- Correlation of landslide trends with precipitation and temperature data.
Main Results:
- A five-fold increase in annual landslide volumes at high elevations over the past three decades.
- Upslope migration of landslide distribution linked to retreating glaciers and melting permafrost.
- Extreme denudation rate of 1.0 ± 0.3 mm yr⁻¹ driven by climate-related landsliding.
Conclusions:
- Climate change is significantly escalating landsliding in high mountain areas.
- Warming-induced shifts in precipitation (rain vs. snow) are a key driver.
- Increased landslide activity amplifies sediment cascades and risks of cascading hazards in High Mountain Asia.
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