Abstract:
The Yarlung Tsangpo River basin in southwestern China is characterized by complex topography, high mountains, deep gorges, and large elevation gradients, making it prone to frequent geohazards.
Objective This study investigates the distribution characteristics of rock glaciers along the Linzhi-Shannan section of the upper Yarlung Tsangpo River and their response mechanisms to environmental change.
Methods Sentinel-1 ascending- and descending-track data were combined with optical remote-sensing imagery. Stacking-InSAR and SBAS-InSAR techniques were used to identify rock glaciers, and cross-wavelet transform and wavelet coherence analyses were applied to examine relationships between rock-glacier deformation, air temperature, and precipitation.
Results A total of 164 rock glaciers were identified. Spatial distribution analysis shows that they are mainly distributed at elevations of 4,500-5,500 m, slopes of 10°-40°, and distances of 4-10 km from the Yarlung Tsangpo River, with north- and northwest-facing rock glaciers being the most developed. Cross-wavelet transform and wavelet coherence analyses indicate that periodic components of rock-glacier deformation in the study area show significant time-frequency coupling with precipitation and air temperature on an approximately 340-day cycle.
Conclusion Air temperature affects rock-glacier deformation through freeze-thaw processes, whereas precipitation affects deformation dynamics through short-term disturbances; together, these factors regulate rock-glacier deformation.
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