Glacier-Related Hazards Along the International Karakoram Highway: Status and Future Perspectives

The China–Pakistan international Karakoram Highway passes through the core area of “Karakoram Anomaly,” whose glaciers have maintained or increased their mass during a period when most worldwide receded. We synthesized literature and used remote-sensing techniques to review types, distribution, characteristics, causes frequency major glacial hazards along Highway. found that glacier-related could be divided into direct indirect hazards, including glacier surges, lake outburst floods, which are concentrated in East Pamir Hunza River Basin. In past 100 years, from surges floods only occurred once twice, respectively, appear suddenly, with hazard-causing process being short-lived occurring mainly summer. Glacial occur spring summer Among these, ice-dammed lakes highest flooding, formation outbursts closely related sudden advancement surge-type glaciers. Under background global climate warming, we speculate surge cycle may shorten increase. future, should combine models new field observations simulate, deepen our understanding physical mechanisms different hazards. particular, on-site monitoring carried out, include evolution subglacial hydrological systems, thermal state at base glaciers, opening closing drainage channels ice dams.