Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Susceptibility Assessment of Thaw Slumps Associated with Climate Change in the Hoh Xil Region, in the Hinterland of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

A threefold increase in the number and twofold expansion in the total area of thaw slumps have been observed in the Hoh Xil region, part of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, between 1968 and 2019. This rapid degradation of permafrost, driven by climate change, highlights significant environmental risks, including potential large-scale landslides and debris flows. Researchers assessed thaw slump susceptibility using data from three periods (1968–1970, 2006–2009, and 2018–2019) combined with field surveys. Findings indicate that approximately 26% of the region is very highly susceptible to thaw slumping, while 36% is highly susceptible. The study also projects future thaw slump occurrences, ranging from 41 to 405 annually, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive risk assessments across the plateau.

Fan, X., Lin, Z., Yao, M., Wang, Y., Gu, Q., Luo, J., Wu, X., & Gao, Z. (2025). Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Susceptibility Assessment of Thaw Slumps Associated with Climate Change in the Hoh Xil Region, in the Hinterland of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Remote Sensing, 17(9), 1614. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17091614