A new look at roles of the cryosphere in sustainable development

While the cryosphere may bring in adverse impacts on natural and built environment, it may also provide benefits resulting from cryosphere services. By looking into the effect of the cryosphere on human-being, the study develops a unified approach in the analysis of cryospheric risks and services, with one focusing on the adverse impacts by cryospheric hazards and another emphasizing on the benefits that people can obtain from the natural capitals in the cryosphere. Meanwhile, climate change could further alter and complicate the roles of the cryosphere, not only by the changes in risks to cryospheric hazards, but also the changes in services that could potentially add more risks. The study further proposed a risk-based approach for the development of climate adaptation in the cryosphere. The approach essentially takes options to reduce exposure and vulnerability of societies to cryospheric hazards, and to better manage natural capitals and demands together with enhancing utility of the cryosphere, so as to maintain the benefit of cryosphere services in a sustainable way. The study further addresses the role of cryosphere services in strengthening sustainable development in terms of its relation with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and provides a preliminary results on how the services contributes to SDGs. Overall, the approach developed in this study creates a new way to comprehensively assess the effect of cryosphere changes on our society and identify measures to maximize the benefit while minimizing the risk in relation to the cryosphere.

A preliminary study of cryosphere service function and value evaluation

Cryosphere science research and development(R&D) has been strongly committed to public service, integrating natural sciences with socioeconomic impacts. Owing to the current shift from purely natural cryosphere scientific research to linking cryosphere science with socioeconomic and cultural science, cross-disciplinary research in this field is emerging, which advocates future cryosphere science research in this field. Utilizing the cryosphere service function(CSF), this study establishes CSF and its value evaluation system. Cryosphere service valuation can benefit the decisionmakers' and public's awareness of environmental protection. Implementing sustainable CSF utilization strategies and macroeconomic policymaking for global environmental protection will have profound and practical significance as well as avoid environmental degradation while pursuing short-term economic profits and achieving rapid economic development.

Plateau archives of lithosphere dynamics,cryosphere and paleoclimate:The formation of Cretaceous desert basins in east Asia

Southeastern Eurasia is a global window to the Cretaceous paleoclimate and lithosphere coupling.China contains one of the most complete and complex sedimentary records of Mesozoic desert basins on planet Earth.In this study,we perform the spatio-temporal tracking of 96 Cretaceous palaeoclimate indicators during 79 Myr which reveal that the plateau paleoclimate archives from East Asia resulted from an Early to Mid-Cretaceous ocean–atmosphere coupling and a shift to a preponderant role of Late Cretaceous lithosphere dynamics and tectonic forcing on high-altitude depositional systems linked to the subduction margins of the Tethys and Paleo-Pacific realms beneath the Eurasian plate.The crustal response to tectonic processes linked with the spatio-temporal evolution of the Tethyan and Paleo-Pacific margins defined the configuration of major sedimentary basins on this region.The significant increase and decrease in the number of active sedimentary basins that occur during the Cretaceous,from 16 in the Early Cretaceous,to 28 in the Mid-Cretaceous,and a decreasing to 20 sedimentary basins in the Late Cretaceous,is a direct response of lithospheric dynamics associated with the two main subduction zones(Tethys and Pacific domains).A shift in subduction style from an Early Cretaceous Paleo-Pacific Plate slab roll back to a Late Cretaceous flat-slab mode might have triggered regional plateau uplift,blocked intraplate volcanism,thus enhancing the denudation and sediment availability,and created wind corridors that led to the construction and accumulation of extensive Late Cretaceous aeolian sandy deserts(ergs)that covered Mid-Cretaceous plateau salars.At the same time,plateau uplift associated with crustal thickening following terrane assembly in the Tethyan margin triggered altitudinal cryospheric processes in sandy desert systems.Evidence of an active Cretaceous cryosphere in China include ValanginianHauterivian glacial debris flows,Early Aptian geochemical signature of melt waters from extensive ice sheets,and Cenomanian–Turonian ice-rafted debris(IRD).These cryospheric indicators suggest an already uplifted plateau in southeastern Eurasia during the Cretaceous,and the marked correlation between cold plateau paleoclimate archives and marine records suggests a strong ocean-atmosphere coupling during Early and Mid-Cretaceous cold snaps.We thus conclude that lithospheric tectonics during Cretaceous played a fundamental role in triggering high-altitude basin desertification and spatiotemporal plateau paleohydrology variability in the Cretaceous of south-eastern Eurasia.

A review of the interaction between the cryosphere and atmosphere

The interaction between the cryosphere and atmosphere is an essential and extremely sensitive mutual action process on the earth.Due to global warming and the cryospheric melting,more and more attention has been paid to the interaction process between the cryosphere and atmosphere,especially the feedback of the cryosphere change to the atmosphere.A comprehensive review of the studies on the interaction between the cryosphere and atmosphere is conducted from two aspects:(1)effects of climate change on the cryosphere or responses of the cryosphere to climate change;and(2)feedback of the cryosphere change to the climate.The response of the cryosphere to climate change is lagging.Such a lagging and cumulative effect of temperature rise within the cryosphere have resulted in a rapid change in the cryosphere in the 21st century,and its impacts have become more significant.The feedback from cryosphere change on the climate are omnifarious.Among them,the effects of sea ice loss and snow cover change,especially the Arctic sea ice loss and the Northern Hemisphere snow cover change,are the most prominent.The Arctic amplification(AA)associated with sea ice feedback is disturbing,and the feedback generated by the effect of temperature rise on snow properties in the Northern Hemisphere is also of great concern.There are growing evidence of the impact of the Arctic cryosphere melting on mid-latitude weather and climate.Weakened storm troughs,steered jet stream and amplified planetary waves associated with energy propagation become the key to explaining the links between Arctic cryosphere change and atmospheric circulation.There is still a great deal of uncertainty about how cryosphere change affects the weather and climate through different atmospheric circulation processes at different spatial and temporal scales due to observation and simulation problems.

Melting and shrinkage of cryosphere in Tibet and its impact on the ecological environment

Global warming is having a profound impact on global ecological systems,and has inevitably induced changes in the cryosphere,one of the five layers of the earth.Major changes include the shrinking and reduction in the area and volume of both the mountain glaciers and the ice caps covering the North and South poles,and the melting of permafrost and thickening of the active frost layer.Swift changes in the cryosphere have inevitably induced ecological and environmental changes in its zone.While some of these changes are beneficial to mankind,such as an increase in water circulation,short term increases in water volumes and the enlargement of the cultivatable area,others are extremely hazardous,like the flooding of lowlands caused by an increased sea level elevation,debris flow caused by glaciers,glacier lake bursts,undermined building safety caused by permafrost melting,the deterioration of alpine cold meadows,and the surface aridization and desertification of land.Tibet,having a major part of the cryosphere in China,is home to the most widely spread glaciers and permafrost,which play a vital role in regulating water resources,climate,environment and the ecological safety in China and Asia.However,due to global warming,the glaciers and permafrost in Tibet have recently changed dramatically,exhibiting shrinkage and melting,which threatens long-term water resources,and the ecological and environmental safety of China.Based on existing research,this paper discusses the relationship between global warming and the melting and shrinkage of the cryosphere.The results show that the cryosphere＇s melting and shrinkage in Tibet are the direct result of global warming.The melting of glaciers has led to a series of disasters,such as changes in river runoff,the heightened frequency of debris flows induced by glaciers and the outbursts of glacier lakes.The melting of the permafrost also resulted in a series of ecological and environmental problems in Tibet,such as the degradation and population succession of the alpine grassland and meadows,the aridization of the land surface,and the occurrence of freeze-thaw erosion.

Cryosphere evapotranspiration in the Tibetan Plateau:A review

Land surface actual evapotranspiration is an important process that influences the Earth's energy and water cycles and determines the water and heat transfer in the soil-vegetation-atmosphere system.Meanwhile,the cryosphere's hydrological process is receiving extensive attention,and its water problem needs to be understood from multiple perspectives.As the main part of the Chinese cryosphere,the Tibetan Plateau faces significant climate and environmental change.There are active interaction and pronounced feedback between the environment and ETa in the cryosphere.This article mainly focuses on the research progress of ETa in the Tibetan Plateau.It first reviews the ETa process,characteristics,and impact factors of typical underlying surfaces in the Tibetan Plateau(alpine meadows,alpine steppes,alpine wetlands,alpine forests,lakes).Then it compares the temporal and spatial variations of ETa at different scales.In addition,considering the current greening of cryosphere vegetation due to climate change,it discusses the relationship between vegetation greening and transpiration to help clarify how vegetation activities are related to the regional water cycle and surface energy budget.

Public Perceptions of Cryosphere Change and the Selection of Adaptation Measures in the rmqi River Basin

This study focuses on the characters of public perceptions on climate and cryosphere change,which are based on a questionnaire survey in the(U|¨)r(u|¨)mqi River Basin.In comparison with scientific observation results of climate and cryosphere change,this paper analyzes the possible impact of the change on water resources and agriculture production in the area.Perceptions of most respondents on climate and cryosphere changes confirm the main objective facts.For the selection of adaptation measures addressing the shortage of water resource,the results are as follows:most people preferred to choose the measures like "policy change" and "basic facility construction" which are mostly implemented by the government and the policy-making department;some people showed more preference to the measures of avoiding unfavorable natural environment,such as finding job in or migrating to other places.The urgency of personal participation in the adaptation measures is still inadequate.Some adaptation measures should be implemented in line with local conditions and require the organic combination of "resource-development" with "water-saving".

Research progress on behaviors and environmental effects of mercury in the cryosphere of the Tibetan Plateau:a critical review

The behavior and fates of environmental pollutants within the cryosphere and the associated environmental impacts are of increasing concerns in the context of global warming.The Tibetan Plateau(TP),also known as the"Third Pole",represents one of the most important cryospheric regions in the world.Mercury(Hg)is recognized as a global pollutant.Here,we summarize the current knowledge of Hg concentration levels,pools and spatio-temporal distribution in cryospheric environments(e.g.,glacier,permafrost),and its transfer and potential cycle in the TP cryospheric region.Transboundary transport of anthropogenic Hg from the surrounding heavily-polluted regions,such as South and Southeast Asia,provides significant sources of atmospheric Hg depositions onto the TP cryosphere.We concluded that the melting of the cryosphere on the TP represents an increasing source of Hg and brings a risk to the TP environment.In addition,global warming acts as an important catalyst accelerating the release of legacy Hg from the melting cryosphere,adversely impacting ecosystems and biological health.Furthermore,we emphasize on the remaining gaps and proposed issues needed to be addressed in future work,including enhancing our knowledge on some key release pathways and the related environmental effects of Hg in the cryospheric region,integrated observation and consideration of Hg distribution,migration and cycle processes at a key region,and uses of Hg isotopic technical and Hg models to improve the understanding of Hg cycling in the TP cryospheric region.

Seismic Tremors and Their Relation to Cryosphere Dynamics in April 2015 around the Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica

Characteristics and statistics of seismic tremors occurring during April 2015 were investigated by using short-period and broadband seismographs deployed at Syowa Station (SYO), in the Lützow-Holm Bay (LHB), East Antarctica. In order to examine a relationship between surface environments in particular cryosphere variation, the MODIS satellite images were utilized for comparison with the detected tremor events. Since a large volume of sea-ice was discharged during the April, together with several large icebergs passed through from the west to the east at northern edge of the fast sea-ice of LHB, it was expected to detect seismic tremors involving cryospehre dynamics. During the month, a total number of 49 tremor events including short duration ice shocks were identified. Majority of the events (N = 39) had their duration times more than 15 minutes, which were divided into both tremors and ice shocks on the basis of experienced definition at SYO. Cryospheric sources recorded by seismic tremors were classified into several origins (collision, calving, crevassing, crashing, etc.): “crevassing events” along the large cracks inside the fast sea-ice in LHB (04 April), “discharge events” of fast sea-ice from the Bay (07 April), “collision events” between iceberg and the edge of fast sea-ice (14 April), “crashing movement” between fragmentation of fast sea-ice and packed sea-ice (18 April), and other origins. In particular, strong amplitude tremors with harmonic overtones were assumed to be occurred independently from whether condition, because these overtone tremors were identified at less stormy days by comparison with infrasound data at SYO.

Distinguishing the Effects of Cryosphere Change in the Background of Climate Change in China

Climate change has major impacts directly on the natural ecosystem and human society, of which the cryosphere is most easily affected be-cause of its frangibility and sensitivity. Similarly, cryosphere change has numerous impacts on the natural ecosystem and human society, which may resemble an indirect influence of climate change. These two types of impacts, in shared fields, are distinguished in space and time by effective mechanisms and processes. Climate change has positive and negative impacts on some systems, which may be adjusted by cryosphere change. These indirect and direct impacts may be distinguished, and then correct policies and measures can be made against these changes.

An outstanding example of cooperation between Arctic and non-Arctic countries in cryosphere and climate research: Sino-Finnish cooperation for more than 30 years

The cryosphere is interconnected with other components of the climate system through global exchange of water,energy,and carbon.Long-term sustainable and pragmatic scientific and technological cooperation on the cryosphere and climatology in polar and sub-polar regions between China and Finland began in the 1980s.The fields of bilateral cooperation include joint training of young scientists,joint field observations,climatological and ecological researches of polar and sub-polar sea ice,glaciers and frozen lakes,etc.The year 2020 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Finland.In order to celebrate the great achievements by Chinese and Finnish scientists in the fieldsof cryosphere and climate research,the Advances in Polar Science invited scientists from both sides to jointly organize a Special Issue entitled“Sino-Finnish cooperation on cryosphere and climatology in polar and sub-polar regions”.In this Special Issue,we have collected 10 papers,with most papers created jointly by scientists of both sides.The fruitful scientific achievement is strongly benefited from the sustainability of cooperation.Monitoring,research,prediction,mitigation,and adaptation to the climate change in the polar and sub-polar regions will definitively stay in the focus for many decades to come.A new era of Finnish-Chinese scientific collaboration on cryosphere has begun.

High Asia cryospheric observation:a proposed network under Global Cryosphere Watch(GCW)

In coordination with Global Cryosphere Watch （GCW） initiated by World Meteorology Administration （WMO）, a regional ob- servation network is proposed based on existing stations/sites over High Asia and cryospberic elements required by GCW. Thus, High Asian Cryosphere （HAC） network is preliminary designed, composing of seven ＂supersites＂, each containing several refer- ence sites. The network covers major mountain ranges in High Asia, such as East Tianshan, Qilian, Tanggula, Nyainqentanglha, Himalayas as well as the central and eastern Qinghai-Xizang （Tibet） Plateau. Although multiple cryospberic elements were ob- served at the existing HAC network, many others, which are required by Integrated Global Observation System-Cryosphere Theme （IGOS-Cryosphere）, are not yet included. More comprehensive observations are necessary to be included into ＂supersites＂ of HAC, so that the basic requirements for validation of satellite data, assimilation and coupled regional models can be met.

Variability of atmospheric freezing level height derived from radiosonde data in China during 1958-2005 and its impact to cryosphere changes

Atmospheric air temperature data from 92 stations in China＇s radiosonde network were used to analyze changes in the freezing level height （FLH）, glacier snow line, and ice edge from 1958-2005 （48 years） and to examine the impact of these changes on the cryosphere. In general, the FLH, glacier snow line, and ice edge exhibited latitudinal zonation, declining from south to north. Trends in the FLH, glacier snow line, and ice edge showed spatial heterogeneity during the study period, with prevailing upward trends. Temporally, the FLH, glacier snow line, and ice edge trends differed on various time scales.

Reliability and Validity Test of Questionnaire on the Adaptation Strategy of Cryosphere Changes in Arid Inland River Basin

[Objective] The aim was to test the reliability and validity of questionnaire on the adaptation strategy of cryosphere changes in arid inland river basin. [Method] A questionnaire on 'the adaptation strategy of cryosphere changes in arid inland river basin' was carried out in Urumchi River basin and Aksu River basin, and its reliability and validity were tested by means of statistical method, so as to investigate the stability and accuracy of questionnaire. [Result] Reliability analysis of questionnaire showed that the split-half reliability coefficient of questionnaire in Urumchi River basin and Aksu River basin was 0.729 and 0.750, respectively, and Cronbach’s α reliability coefficient was 0.613 and 0.616, respectively, which revealed that the questionnaire had good equivalence and internal consistency which reflected good reliability and stability. According to validity analysis on questionnaire, there was significant correlation between the score of most questions and questionnaire, and it indicated that questionnaire had high content validity. There were 8 common factors collected from 26 questions, which were summarized as agricultural planting, agricultural water conservation, life satisfaction, cultivated land variation, social integration sense, climate and cryosphere changes, capital input improved by environment and family economic condition, respectively. Meanwhile, the contribution rate of various questions in corresponding indexes was higher, and reflected structure was in full accord with questionnaire content, which revealed that questionnaire owned good construct validity. [Conclusion] With higher stability and accuracy, the questionnaire could determine the desired topic and content and was suitable for the study on the perception of common people and choices of adaptive strategy under cryosphere changes in arid inland river basin in northwestern China.

Assessment of Ice Volume Changes in the Cryosphere via Simplified Heat Transport Model

In order to describe changes in ice volume in the cryosphere, a differential equation mathematical model is used in this paper. The dominating effects of freezing and thawing in the cryosphere enable simplification of the heat transport equations. This results in a mathematical model that can be solved exactly and is useful in investigating other climatic components, which in turn may be similarly analyzed for possible Global Circulation Model (GCM) validation. Data forms representing temperature and ice volume during the Pleistocene are available and can be directly compared with the exact solution of the simplified differential equation used in this paper. The model parameters may then be adjusted to approximate the effects of climate change;the adjusted model then run in reverse time, to develop an alternative history of ice volume of the cryosphere to be compared with the actual data interpretations previously published in the literature. In this fashion, an assessment may be made as to possible climate impacts in the cryosphere.

Changes in the global cryosphere and their impacts:A review and new perspective

As one of the five components of Earth's climatic system,the cryosphere has been undergoing rapid shrinking due to global warming.Studies on the formation,evolution,distribution and dynamics of cryospheric components and their interactions with the human system are of increasing importance to society.In recent decades,the mass loss of glaciers,including the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets,has accelerated.The extent of sea ice and snow cover has been shrinking,and permafrost has been degrading.The main sustainable development goals in cryospheric regions have been impacted.The shrinking of the cryosphere results in sea-level rise,which is currently affecting,or is soon expected to affect,17 coastal megacities and some small island countries.In East Asia,South Asia and North America,climate anomalies are closely related to the extent of Arctic sea ice and snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere.Increasing freshwater melting from the ice sheets and sea ice may be one reason for the slowdown in Atlantic meridional overturning circulation in the Arctic and Southern Oceans.The foundations of ports and infrastructure in the circum-Arctic permafrost regions suffer from the consequences of permafrost degradation.In high plateaus and mountainous regions,the cryosphere's shrinking has led to fluctuations in river runoff,caused water shortages and increased flooding risks in certain areas.These changes in cryospheric components have shown significant heterogeneity at different temporal and spatial scales.Our results suggest that the quantitative evaluation of future changes in the cryosphere still needs to be improved by enhancing existing observations and model simulations.Theoretical and methodological innovations are required to strengthen social economies'resilience to the impact of cryospheric change.

Contribution of the cryosphere to runoff in“Chinese water tower”based on environmental isotopes

Cryospheric meltwater is an important runoff component and it profoundly influences changes in water resources in the Tibetan Plateau.Significant changes in runoff components occur in the three-river headwater region(TRHR),which is an important part of“Chinese Water Tower”due to climate warming.However,these effects remain unclear owing to the sparse and uneven distribution of monitoring sites and limited field investigations.Quantifying the contribution of cryospheric meltwater to outlet runoff is a key scientific question that needs to be addressed.In this study,we analyzed 907 precipitation,river water,ground ice,supra-permafrost water,and glacier snow meltwater samples collected from October 2019 to September 2020 in the TRHR.The following results were obtained:(1)There was significant spatio-temporal variation in stable isotopes in different waters;(2)The seasonal trends of stable isotopes for different waters,the relationship between each water body and the local meteoric water line(LWML)confirmed that river water was mainly recharged by precipitation,supra-permafrost water,and glacier snow meltwater;(3)Precipitation,supra-permafrost water,and glacier snow meltwater accounted for 52%,39%,and 9%of river water,respectively,during the ablation period according to the end-member mixing analysis(EMMA);(4)In terms of future runoff components,there will be many challenges due to increasing precipitation and evaporation,decreasing snow cover,glacier retreat,and permafrost degradation.Therefore,it is crucial to establish the“star-machine-ground”observation networks,forecast extreme precipitation and hydrological events,build the“TRHE on the Cloud”platform,and implement systematic hydraulic engineering projects to support the management and utilization of water resources in the TRHR.The findings of environmental isotope analysis provide insights into water resources as well as scientific basis for rational use of water resources in the TRHR.

Spatial distribution characteristics of climate-induced landslides in the Eastern Himalayas

Climate warming is constantly causing hydro-meteorological perturbations,especially in high-altitude mountainous regions,which lead to the occurrences of landslides.The impact of climatic variables(i.e.,precipitation and temperature)on the distribution of landslides in the eastern regions of the Himalayas is poorly understood.To address this,the current study analyzes the relationship between the spatial distribution of landslide characteristics and climatic variables from 2013 to 2021.Google Earth Engine(GEE)was employed to make landslide inventories using satellite data.The results show that 2163,6927,and 9601 landslides were heterogeneously distributed across the study area in 2013,2017,and 2021,respectively.The maximum annual temperature was positively correlated with the distribution of landslides,whereas precipitation was found to have a non-significant impact on the landslide distribution.Spatially,most of the landslides occurred in areas with maximum annual precipitation ranging from 800 to 1600 mm and maximum annual temperature above 15℃.However,in certain regions,earthquake disruptions marginally affected the occurrence of landslides.Landslides were highly distributed in areas with elevations ranging between 3000 and 5000 m above sea level,and many landslides occurred near the lower permafrost limit and close to glaciers.The latter indicates that temperature change-induced freeze-thaw action influences landslides in the region.Temperature changes have shown a positive correlation with the number of landslides within elevations,indicating that temperature affects their spatial distribution.Various climate projections suggest that the region will experience further warming,which will increase the likelihood of landslides in the future.Thus,it is crucial to enhance ground observation capabilities and climate datasets to effectively monitor and mitigate landslide risks.

Cryosphere water resources supply function and service in China

With global warming and rapid shrinkage of the cryosphere,the decreasing cryosphere water resources(CWR)supply function would weaken its service and then affect local economic development and implement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)in the world,but how does the CWR supply affect its service and their variations in the past and future are still not clear at present.In this study,the past dynamics(1960-2020),current situation(2010s)and projected changes(2020-2100)of CWR in China were assessed by calculating the meltwater from glacier,snow cover and the ground ice of permafrost under Representative Concentration Pathways scenarios(RCP2.6,RCP4.5,and RCP8.5).Combined with projected data of population and economy,the CWR service potential was also estimated in the 2030s,2050s and 2090s under scenarios of Shared Socioeconomic Pathways(SSP1,SSP2,and SSP5).The annual CWR in China is about 310.7×10^(9)m^(3) in the 2010s,with glacier runoff,snowmelt,and ground ice meltwater accounting for 24.1%,72.7%and 3.2%,respectively.Under SSP1-RCP2.6,the quantity of CWR was projected to decline by 14%-18%over the next 80 years,and the service potential would reach the peak in 2100.While under SSP5-RCP8.5,CWR would be reduced by 40%by 2100,and the service would gradually decline from 2050.The study of CWR is of great significance for water security,sustainable development and risk avoidance in the arid endorheic region.

Impact of glacier changes and permafrost distribution on debris flows in Badswat and Shishkat catchments,Northern Pakistan

Knowledge of glacier changes and associated hazards is of great importance for the safety consideration of the population and infrastructure in the mountainous regions of Upper Indus Basin(UIB).In this study,we assessed the variations in glacier velocity,glacier surface elevation change,meteorological conditions,and permafrost distribution in Badswat and Shishkat catchments located in UIB to access the potential impact on the occurrence of debris flow in both catchments.We find that the glacier surface velocity increased during the debris flow event in the Badswat catchment and the mean daily temperature was 3.7℃to 3.9℃higher in most of the locations.The enhanced glacier surface elevation lowering period coincide with the rise in temperature during spring and autumn months between 2015 to 2019 in Badswat catchment.The source region of debris flow falls within the lower boundary of permafrost occurrence zone and lies below the 0℃isotherm during late spring and summer months.In Shishkat catchment the 0℃isotherm reaches above the debris flow source area during August and the glacier do not show any significant variations in velocity and surface elevation change.The debris flow source area is adjacent to the slow-moving rock glacier in Shishkat catchment while in Badswat catchment the debris flow initiated from the former glacier moraine.Both catchments are largely glacierized and thus sensitive to changes in climatic conditions and changes in the cryosphere response possess significant threats to the population downstream.Continuous monitoring of cryosphere-climate change in the region can contribute toward the improvement of disaster risk reduction and mitigation policies.