Frontiers in Earth Science (Journal)

Description

High-mountain regions of the world are home to hundreds of millions of people, but are connected economically, socially and environmentally to the piedmont areas in such a way that change in the mountains influences the lives of billions. These regions are characterized by rapid environmental and societal changes, altering the occurrence, frequency, and magnitude of hazards, as well as the exposure and vulnerability of societies, especially in low-income countries. Notably, deglaciating areas are experiencing diverse process responses to climate change, including far-reaching process chains. Mitigating the potentially disastrous impacts of such events requires novel approaches that can account for historically unprecedented conditions. Studies that integrate societal exposure and vulnerability in addressing natural hazards are of particular interest in this Research Topic.

To tackle the challenges of natural hazards and risks associated with changing conditions in high-mountain regions, we invite studies that employ the latest conceptual and methodological approaches to enhance our understanding of (i) the physical causes, mechanisms, and Spatio-temporal patterns of hazards, and (ii) the societal and economic components and drivers of risks. Given the breadth and complexity of the Research Topic, we are particularly looking for interdisciplinary approaches, combining natural and social sciences. Accentuating the implications for natural hazard science and disaster risk reduction is essential for this collection.

We welcome all relevant contributions addressing diverse aspects of natural hazards and risks in mountain regions across the world. The scope of the Research Topic comprises both the evaluation and analysis of specific cases from small to large scales. This includes, but is not strictly limited to: landslides, lake outbursts, glacier- and permafrost-related hazards and risks, extreme sediment yield, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and interactions between them. We seek Original Research Papers, Methodological Papers, and state-of-the-art Reviews. We welcome conceptual studies that help to inform climate change mitigation and adaptation, including methodological aspects of hazard and risk assessments. We especially encourage interdisciplinary contributions dealing with more than one component of risk, and global-scale studies, or studies with broader and transferable implications.

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Jennifer Sherry has acted as coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.

Period	1 Jan 2021 → 8 Sept 2021
Degree of Recognition	International