Collection 

Extreme Mountain Hazards: Implications and Recommendations for Early Warnings for All

Submission status
Closed
Submission deadline

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to           SDG 11 -  Sustainable Cities & Communities; SDG 13 - Climate Action

Mountains, with their intricate topography and steep gradients, represent complex social-ecological systems that are highly vulnerable to extreme weather and geological hazards, posing significant risks to livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems. This Collection examines the complex dynamics of extreme mountain hazards, with a focus on their impacts on vulnerable communities and ecosystems. Aligned with the United Nations’ “Early Warnings for All” initiative, it aims to advance scientific knowledge and practical solutions for mitigating risks associated with catastrophic events such as avalanches, landslides, glacial lake outburst floods, extreme weather, and earthquakes. By integrating interdisciplinary research, this Collection underscores the escalating threats posed by climate change, which amplifies the frequency, severity, and interaction of these extreme hazards in high-altitude environments.

This Collection serves as a critical resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working toward the UN’s goal of ensuring early warnings reach all at-risk populations by 2027. By bridging the gap between science and policy, it offers deepened understanding and actionable recommendations to enhance resilience, improve hazard forecasting, and foster international scientific collaboration.

We welcome Original Research articles, Reviews, Perspectives, and Comments addressing the following focus areas that include, but are not limited to

  • Distribution and mechanisms of extreme hazard events in mountain regions
  • Development of advanced early warning systems adaptable to mountain hazards and environments
  • Best practices for emergency response and post-disaster management of acute and extreme mountain hazards
  • Case studies from diverse mountain regions highlighting localized challenges, adaptive strategies, and best practices
Extreme Mountain Hazards: Implications and Recommendations for Early Warnings for All

Editors

  • Rongkun Liu, PhD

    Rongkun Liu, PhD

    International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, Nepal

Rongkun Liu, PhD, Water Policy Specialist, Strategic Group 'Climate and Environmental Risks', International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, Nepal

My research interests lie at the intersection of social and natural sciences, focusing on social-ecological resilience, climate and water-related hazard risk reduction, and integrated river basin management. I conduct transdisciplinary research that addresses the challenges of understanding, situating, and contextualizing hazard mechanisms, risk management, and human well-being through a holistic systems perspective. With over a decade of experience living and working in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, I have extensive experience in promoting sustainable development while navigating the diverse and complex social-ecological dynamics of mountain systems.