Evaluation Index System for Thermokarst Lake Susceptibility: An Effective Tool for Disaster Warning on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China

Approximately 19.02% of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau's permafrost region is highly susceptible to thermokarst lake formation, a phenomenon accelerated by climate change and posing significant risks to infrastructure and ecosystems. This finding stems from an innovative evaluation index system developed using Landsat imagery and human-computer interaction, which improved the accuracy of thermokarst lake classification in remote, data-scarce areas. Key factors identified include lake density, soil moisture, slope, vegetation, snow cover, ground temperature, precipitation, and permafrost stability. The study highlights the most vulnerable regions—southwestern Qinghai, northeastern Tibet, and Hoh Xil—as critical zones for disaster warning and mitigation efforts.

Li, L., Zhao, Y., Li, X., Ni, W., & Niu, F. (2025). Evaluation Index System for Thermokarst Lake Susceptibility: An Effective Tool for Disaster Warning on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China. Sustainability, 17(4), 1464. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041464