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A Satellite Visual Analysis of the Albedo Effect on Glacial Recession, and its Use as a Predictor of Glacial Lake Changes

Author(s): Jason Huang

Publication: The Journal • 26 Janurary 2024

Abstract

This paper reviews recent studies concerning the relationship between glacial recession over the past 100 years, the weakened albedo effect, and the glacial lake changes in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. Geological indicators provided by NASA Worldview's satellite images were used to verify an inverse correlation between the albedo effect and glacial recession. Confirmation of this inverse relation suggests changes in glacial lakes, which increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) over time. This article also examines the impact of past GLOFs on the HKH region's population and assesses the vulnerability of local communities and infrastructure near potentially dangerous glacial lakes (PDGL). Understanding these relationships can ensure the safety of disaster-threatened communities and provide potential proactive measures that could prevent possible future lake outburst disasters.

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