Identification, Characterization and Dynamic-Risk Assessment of High-Mountain Geohazards

Dear Colleagues,

Worldwide, high-mountain areas have experienced an increase in the frequency and magnitude of geohazards such as rockslides, rockfalls, and debris flows, partially due to the effects of climate change and rock uplift, including permafrost degradation, glacier retreat, and river incision. Meanwhile, because of the increasing number of exposed elements (e.g., transportation infrastructures, hydropower stations, tourists, and settlements) in high mountains, the spatial–temporal probability of exposed elements threated by geohazards has increased significantly. Therefore, a quantification of risk and its variation in time (dynamic risk concept) is fundamental for the prevention and mitigation of such geohazards.

The rock mass characterization of high-relief slopes where geohazards occur has traditionally been difficult due to limited accessibility. However, recently developed technologies, including Earth observation platforms and sensors (satellite, UAVs, airplanes), terrestrial laser scanning, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and 3D digital twins, are enabling researchers to acquire new and detailed spatially distributed information about these challenging landscapes.

This Topic aims to present innovative applications of new technologies for the characterization of high-mountain rock slopes, the identification of landslide and rockfall source areas, and the dynamic risk assessment of geohazards.

We welcome submissions of original research and review articles addressing the development of theories and methodologies in field investigations, laboratory tests, numerical and physical modeling, and geohazard risk assessment of natural and engineered slopes in high-mountain areas. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Applications of advanced technologies in the characterization of rock mass;
• Spatial distribution of structural characteristics of rock mass in high-mountain areas;
• Monitoring of climate change processes in high-mountain slopes;
• Identification of source areas of landslides and rockfalls;
• Susceptibility, hazard, and dynamic risk assessment of landslide, rockfall, and other geohazards;
• Indoor and outdoor laboratory, field test physical modeling, and numerical simulation of geohazards;
• Case study of geohazards to explore their mechanisms of formation and evolution processes.

Prof. Dr. Xueliang Wang
Prof. Dr. Paolo Frattini
Prof. Dr. Dongpo Wang
Prof. Dr. Wen Zhang
Prof. Dr. Jie Dou
Dr. Juanjuan Sun
Topic Editors