Low Ice Research Articles

The Extraordinary March 2022 East Antarctica “Heat” Wave. Part II: Impacts on the Antarctic Ice Sheet

Abstract Between 15 and 19 March 2022, East Antarctica experienced an exceptional heat wave with widespread 30°–40°C temperature anomalies across the ice sheet. In Part I, we assessed the meteorological drivers that generated an intense atmospheric river (AR) that caused these record-shattering temperature anomalies. Here, we continue our large collaborative study by analyzing the widespread and diverse impacts driven by the AR landfall. These impacts included widespread rain and surface melt that was recorded along coastal areas, but this was outweighed by widespread high snowfall accumulations resulting in a largely positive surface mass balance contribution to the East Antarctic region. An analysis of the surface energy budget indicated that widespread downward longwave radiation anomalies caused by large cloud-liquid water contents along with some scattered solar radiation produced intense surface warming. Isotope measurements of the moisture were highly elevated, likely imprinting a strong signal for past climate reconstructions. The AR event attenuated cosmic ray measurements at Concordia, something previously never observed. Last, an extratropical cyclone west of the AR landfall likely triggered the final collapse of the critically unstable Conger Ice Shelf while further reducing an already record low sea ice extent. Significance Statement Using our diverse collective expertise, we explored the impacts from the March 2022 heat wave and atmospheric river across East Antarctica. One key takeaway is that the Antarctic cryosphere is highly sensitive to meteorological extremes originating from the midlatitudes and subtropics. Despite the large positive temperature anomalies driven from strong downward longwave radiation, this event led to huge amounts of snowfall across the Antarctic interior desert. The isotopes in this snow of warm airmass origin will likely be detectable in future ice cores and potentially distort past climate reconstructions. Even measurements of space activity were affected. Also, the swells generated from this storm helped to trigger the final collapse of an already critically unstable Conger Ice Shelf while further degrading sea ice coverage.

An Approximate Criterion for Morphological Transformations in Small Vapor Grown Ice Crystals

Abstract Observations and measurements show that crystals remain relatively compact at low ice supersaturations, but become increasingly hollowed and complex as the ice supersaturation rises. Prior measurements at temperatures >−25°C indicate that the transition from compact, solid ice to morphologically complex crystals occurs when the excess vapor density exceeds a threshold value of about 0.05 g m−3. A comparable threshold is not available at low temperatures. A temperature-dependent criterion for the excess vapor density threshold (Δρthr) that defines morphological transformations to complex ice is derived from laboratory measurements of vapor grown ice at temperatures below −40°C. This criterion depends on the difference between the equilibrium vapor density of liquid () and ice (ρei) multiplied by a measurement-determined constant, . The new criterion is consistent with prior laboratory measurements, theoretical estimates, and it reproduces the classical result of about 0.05 g m−3 above −25°C. Since Δρthr defines the excess vapor density above which crystals transition to a morphologically complex (lower density) growth mode, we can estimate the critical supersaturation (scrit) for step nucleation during vapor growth. The derived values of scrit are consistent with previous measurements at temperatures above −20°C. No direct measurements of scrit are available for temperatures below −40°C; however, our derived values suggest some measurement-based estimates may be too high while estimates from molecular dynamics simulations may be too low.

Aerosol-related effects on the occurrence of heterogeneous ice formation over Lauder, New Zealand ∕ Aotearoa

Abstract. The presented study investigates the efficiency of heterogeneous ice formation in natural clouds over Lauder, New Zealand / Aotearoa. Aerosol conditions in the middle troposphere above Lauder are subject to huge contrasts. Clean, pristine air masses from Antarctica and the Southern Ocean arrive under southerly flow conditions, while high aerosol loads can occur when air masses are advected from nearby Australia. This study assesses how these contrasts in aerosol load affect the ice formation efficiency in stratiform midlevel clouds in the heterogeneous freezing range (−40 to 0 ∘C). For this purpose, an 11-year dataset was analyzed from a dual-wavelength polarization lidar system operated by National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Taihoro Nukurangi, at Lauder in collaboration with the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan and the Meteorological Research Institute of the Japan Meteorological Agency. These data were used to investigate the efficiency of heterogeneous ice formation in clouds over the site as a function of cloud-top temperature as in previous studies at other locations. The Lauder cloud dataset was put into context with lidar studies from contrasting regions such as Germany and southern Chile. The ice formation efficiency found at Lauder is lower than in polluted midlatitudes (i.e., Germany) but higher than, for example, in southern Chile. Both Lauder and southern Chile are subject to generally low free-tropospheric aerosol loads, which suggests that the low ice formation efficiency at these two sites is related to low ice-nucleating-particle (INP) concentrations. However, Lauder sees episodes of continental aerosol, more than southern Chile does, which seems to lead to the moderately increased ice formation efficiency. Trajectory-based tools and aerosol model reanalyses are used to relate this cloud dataset to the aerosol load and the air mass sources. Both analyses point clearly to higher ice formation efficiency for clouds which are more strongly influenced by continental aerosol and to lower ice formation efficiency for clouds which are more influenced by Antarctic/marine aerosol and air masses.

Marine oil spill detection using improved polarimetric feature based on polarization SAR image

ABSTRACT Monitoring marine oil pollution holds both practical and scientific significance. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is an active microwave remote sensing technique capable of all-weather and all-day with fine spatial resolution. However, under low wind conditions, rain cells and young ice are examples of look-alikes affect the accuracy of oil spill detection. Polarimetric SAR assumes a crucial role in this context, as it can extract abundant polarimetric features by polarimetric target decomposition. Drawing inspiration from this advancement, an improved polarimetric feature named relative feature based on Cloude-Pottier target decomposition was proposed. The Jeffries-Matusita distance indicates the substantial potential of the relative feature in detecting oil spills. The improved polarimetric feature within U-Net, FCN-8s, and DeepLabv3+ResNet-18 for oil spill detection using polarization SAR images. Experiment results demonstrated that the relative feature has superior performance compared to other polarimetric features and obtained the highest accuracy and dice within U-Net compared to the other two models. These findings introduce promising concepts for achieving rapid and precise detection of oil spills in future applications.

Round-Robin Study for Ice Adhesion Tests

Ice adhesion tests are widely used to assess the performance of potential icephobic surfaces and coatings. A great variety of test designs have been developed and used over the past decades due to the lack of formal standards for these types of tests. In many cases, the aim of the research was not only to determine ice adhesion values, but also to understand the key surface properties correlated to low ice adhesion surfaces. Data from different measurement techniques had low correspondence between the results: Values varied by orders of magnitude and showed different relative relationships to one another. This study sought to provide a broad comparison of ice adhesion testing approaches by conducting different ice adhesion tests with identical test surfaces. A total of 15 test facilities participated in this round-robin study, and the results of 13 partners are summarized in this paper. For the test series, ice types (impact and static) as well as test parameters were harmonized to minimize the deviations between the test setups. Our findings are presented in this paper, and the ice- and test-specific results are discussed. This study can improve our understanding of test results and support the standardization process for ice adhesion strength measurements.

Sea Ice Examination for Ice Class Ships visiting Horseshoe Island, Antarctica, Using MODIS in 2000-2022

Sea ice has a significant impact on numerous areas, ranging from the reflection of the sun rays back on the albedo scale, to spurring intense phytoplankton blooms that help maintain the marine ecosystem and making the navigation of some maritime routes challenging. The formation of sea ice in the Southern Ocean affects maritime logistics and scientific operations on Antarctica, especially on the Antarctic Peninsula, which hosts half of the scientific stations. Ships needed to supply British and Turkish scientific bases on Horseshoe Island in the southernmost part of the Antarctic Peninsula are in high demand. Therefore, the analysis of the oldest trends of sea ice that affect maritime operations is crucial. The goal of the study was to examine the formation of sea ice, and especially ice-free days, by using images collected between 2000 and 2022 by over 8000 NASA’s Terra/MODIS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instruments (MODIS). An analysis of maritime traffic gives a better understanding of maritime operation needs and usage of natural ports, including bays within the research area. Therefore, the study focused on four sites: western approach to Horseshoe Island, Sally Cove (hosting a British station), Lystad Bay (hosting a Turkish station) and Gaul Cove. The results indicate that there has been no multiyear sea ice around Horseshoe Island. The most suitable months for the safe navigation of any type of ship in the area, due to the greatest number of ice-free days, are March, February, April and January. The study reveals that, in accordance with the Polar Code, lower ice class ships are required for safe navigation during scientific expeditions to Horseshoe Island. Also, as the average number of days with clear skies was 38, and average cloudiness very high, the use of optical satellites for long-term monitoring studies on Horseshoe Island is not recommended.

Phase change surfaces with porous metallic structures for long-term anti/de-icing application

HypothesisIce mitigation has received increasing attention due to the severe safety and economic threats of icing hazards to modern industries. Slippery icephobic surface is a potential ice mitigation approach due to its ultra-low ice adhesion strength, great humidity resistance, and effective delay of ice nucleation. However, this approach currently has limited practical applications because of serious liquid depletion in the icing/de-icing process. ExperimentsA new strategy of phase change materials (PCM)-impregnation porous metallic structures (PIPMSs) was proposed to develop phase changeable icephobic surfaces in this study, and aimed to solve the rapid depletion via the phase changeable interfacial interactions. FindingsEvaluation of surface icephobicity and interfacial analysis proved that the phase changeable surfaces (PIPMSs) worked as an effective and durable icephobic platform by significantly delaying ice nucleation, providing long-term humid tolerance, low ice adhesion strength of as-prepared samples (less than 5 kPa), and signally improved maintaining capacity of impregnated PCMs (less than 10 % depletion) after 50 icing/de-icing cycles. To explore the interfacial responses, phase change models consisting of the unfrozen quasi-liquid layer and solid lubricant layer at the ice/PIPMSs interfaces were established, and the involved icephobic mechanisms of PIPMSs were studied based on the analysis of interfacial interactions.

In Situ Crystallization, Differential Growth, and Multicolor Emission of Silver Nanoclusters.

The real-time monitoring of the stepwise growth process of the molecular crystal reveals a conclusive understanding of the morphological evolution, which otherwise remains elusive during the conventional crystallization processes. Herein, we report the in situ crystallization of silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) with special emphasis on their differential growth and multicolor emissive properties. A subtle variation of the methanol (MeOH) proportion in the reaction mixture induces the differential growth of these AgNCs, and thereby, a dramatic modulation in their optical properties was observed. Additionally, by increasing the temperature of the reaction (from a low temperature ice bath to 25 °C), an uncontrolled formation of AgNCs along with metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was observed, which was primarily induced by accelerating the reaction kinetics. We hope that this investigation comprehensively uncovers the serious bottlenecks of the conventional crystallization processes by showcasing systematic monitoring of structural evolution to the higher-ordered crystalline state.

Impact of atmospheric rivers on Arctic sea ice variations

Abstract. Arctic sea ice has been declining rapidly in recent decades. We investigate how the poleward transport of moisture and heat from lower latitudes through atmospheric rivers (ARs) influences Arctic sea ice variations. We use hourly ERA5 (fifth-generation European Reanalysis) data for 1981–2020 at 0.25∘ × 0.25∘ resolution to examine the meteorological conditions and sea ice changes associated with ARs in the Arctic. In the years 2012 and 2020, which had an extremely low summer Arctic sea ice extent, we show that the individual AR events associated with large cyclones initiate a rapid sea ice decrease through turbulent heat fluxes and winds. We carry out further statistical analysis of the meteorological conditions and sea ice variations for 1981–2020 over the entire Arctic Ocean. We find that on weather timescales the atmospheric moisture content anticorrelates significantly with the sea ice concentration tendency almost everywhere in the Arctic Ocean, while the dynamic sea ice motion driven by northward winds further reduces the sea ice concentration.

Using Psyllium Husk Powder as Fat Replacer and Stabilizer to Improve Low Fat Ice Cream Properties

Using Psyllium Husk Powder as Fat Replacer and Stabilizer to Improve Low Fat Ice Cream Properties

Preparation of superhydrophobic nanowires on polypropylene surface via injection compression molding for efficient fog collection.

In this work, a superhydrophobic polypropylene (PP) replica with nanowires is fabricated using an injection compression molding (ICM) process. The morphology, superhydrophobicity and fog water harvesting efficiency of the as-prepared PP replica surface are investigated. Morphological characterization indicates that the PP replica surface exhibits nanowires with intertwined tips. Compared to the untreated PP surface (referred to as the PP counterpart), the PP replica surface shows a higher contact angle (CA) and lower rolling angle (RA). Furthermore, the complete transfer of a water droplet with no volume loss from the PP replica surface to the filter paper shows that nanowires on the PP replica surface are responsible for the superhydrophobic and low-adhesive properties of the surface. The Cassie-Baxter state with a CA of ∼153°, low ice adhesion strength (13.3 kPa at -20 °C) and good fog water harvesting efficiency (∼7.26 g m-2 s-1) demonstrate that the prepared PP replica has economic potential for fog water harvesting applications.

Numerical investigation of the influences of ridge ice parameters on lift and drag coefficients of airfoils through design of experiments

The complexity of ice accretion shapes on aircraft brings challenges in establishing the physical correlations between the geometric parameters of ice and the aerodynamic performances of an airfoil. The present study applied a quarter-circle simplified ridge ice model and designed four parameters, including the lower ice horn, the height of the upper ice horn, the angle of the upper ice horn, and the location of the upper ice horn. Design of Experiments (DOE) was adopted to design the simulation process and analyze the obtained data. Numerical investigations were carried out to study the effects of these four design parameters on the lift coefficients ( CL) and drag coefficients ( CD) of three airfoils at various angles of attack. The results revealed that the four design parameters had influences on CL and CD in all simulation cases. The influence of the height of the upper ice horn was always dominant, followed by the angle and location of the upper ice horn. The influence degrees of the lower ice horn varied with the angles of attack and airfoils. The change trends of CL and CD were opposite while changing the value of any parameter in most simulation cases. In addition, the leading-edge radii of these three airfoils, as well as the shapes of the upper and lower surfaces, could alter the influences of design parameters on CL and CD.

Sea ice concentration inversion based on ASI algorithm combined with Bootstrap algorithm

Weather filters are frequently used to lessen the interference while using the ARTSIST Sea Ice (ASI) algorithm, which is based on Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS/Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-2 (AMSR-E/AMSR-2) 89 GHz brightness temperature (Tb) data to calculate sea ice concentration (SIC) with high spatial resolution. However, the weather filters may cause low concentration sea ice to be mistaken for sea water, which decreases the accuracy of the SIC inversion. This paper proposed the ASI algorithm combined with the Bootstrap (BT) algorithm for SIC inversion to increase the accuracy of the SIC inversion. First, use the weather filters to screen out an area that has been disrupted by the external factors like clouds and water vapor. Second, the BT algorithm is used in this area to accomplish SIC inversion. Based on the proposed method, the Antarctic SIC results in February 2018 were obtained and compared with the SIC obtained from the ASI algorithm. The results demonstrated that the SIC inversion based on ASI algorithm combined with BT algorithm is practicable. By comparing the SIC results of Landsat-8 data, it was further verified that the SIC inversion based on ASI algorithm combined with BT algorithm has higher accuracy compared to the ASI algorithm. As a result, the accuracy of SIC inversion can be improved to some extent by combining the ASI algorithm and the BT algorithm.

Ice‐Shedding Endurance Enhancement of Lubricated Polyurethane NP‐GLIDE Coating Through Dual Cross‐Linking with Covalent and Hydrogen Bonds

AbstractAn NP‐GLIDE coating, featuring a liquid‐like polymer brush layer on its surface and nanopools of a grafted liquid ingredient for dewetting enablement within its matrix, is normally covalently cross‐linked (CX). This paper introduces a dually cross‐linked (DX) NP‐GLIDE coating, employing urethane bonds and H─bonds for crosslinking. Both the DX and CX coatings, utilizing poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) as the dewetting enabler, exhibit low ice adhesion strengths (τ). Post‐lubrication with silicone oil (SO), ice is readily shed under gravity from the coatings. The DX coating maintains low τ over numerous icing/de‐icing cycles, outlasting the CX coating. This durability is likely due to the lubricant‐loss‐responsive nature of the DX matrix. The matrix increases its H─bond cross‐links responding to lubricant loss and the cross‐linking density increase triggers additional lubricant release into the PDMS brush layer. This cyclic process persists over time. Under optimal conditions after 31 icing/de‐icing cycles, the lubricated DX coating demonstrates an impressively low τ of 1.8 ± 0.5 kPa. In contrast, the lubricated CX counterpart has a τ of 32 ± 11 kPa, while plain glass records a τ of 325 ± 14 kPa. This study underscores the significant potential of dual cross‐linking for enhancing ice‐shedding endurance of coatings.

Analysis of the distribution across media, migration, and related driving factors of fluoride in cold and arid lakes during the freezing period

Fluoride pollution in water has become a global challenge. This challenge especially affects China as a country experiencing serious fluoride pollution. While the have been past studies on the spatial distribution of fluoride, there has been less attention on different forms of fluoride. This study collected 176 samples (60, 40, and 76 ice, water, and sediment samples, respectively) from Lake Ulansuhai during the freezing period. The occurrence and spatial distribution characteristics of fluoride in lake ice-water-sediment were explored using Kriging interpolation, Piper three-line diagram, and Gibbs diagram analysis methods. The migration and transformation of fluoride during the freezing period were revealed and the factors influencing fluoride concentration in the water body were discussed considering the hydrochemical characteristics of lake surface water. The results showed that the average fluoride concentrations in the upper ice, middle ice and lower ice were 0.18, 0.09, and 0.12 mg/L, respectively, decreasing from north to south in the lake. The average concentrations of fluoride in surface water and bottom water were 0.63 and 0.83 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of fluoride in ice and water were within the World Health Organisation drinking water threshold of 1.50 mg/L and the Class III Chinese surface water standard (GB3838-2002). The average sediment total fluorine was 1344.38 ± 200 mg/kg, significantly exceeding the global average (321 mg/kg) and decreasing with depth. The contents of water soluble, exchangeable, Fe/Mn bound, organic bound, and residual fluorides were 40.22–47.18, 13.24–43.23, 49.52–160.48, and 71.59–173.03 mg/kg, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between fluoride concentration in ice and that in water. The change in fluoride concentration in water was mainly due to specific climatic and geographical conditions, pH, hydrochemical characteristics and ice sealing. This study is of great significance for the management of high-fluorine lakes in arid and semi-arid areas.

Multidecadal variability and predictability of Antarctic sea ice in the GFDL SPEAR_LO model

Abstract. Using a state-of-the-art coupled general circulation model, physical processes underlying Antarctic sea ice multidecadal variability and predictability are investigated. Our model simulations constrained by atmospheric reanalysis and observed sea surface temperature broadly capture a multidecadal variability in the observed sea ice extent (SIE) with a low sea ice state (late 1970s–1990s) and a high sea ice state (2000s–early 2010s), although the model overestimates the SIE decrease in the Weddell Sea around the 1980s. The low sea ice state is largely due to the deepening of the mixed layer and the associated deep convection that brings subsurface warm water to the surface. During the high sea ice period (post-2000s), the deep convection substantially weakens, so surface wind variability plays a greater role in the SIE variability. Decadal retrospective forecasts started from the above model simulations demonstrate that the Antarctic sea ice multidecadal variability can be skillfully predicted 6–10 years in advance, showing a moderate correlation with the observation. Ensemble members with a deeper mixed layer and stronger deep convection tend to predict a larger sea ice decrease in the 1980s, whereas members with a larger surface wind variability tend to predict a larger sea ice increase after the 2000s. Therefore, skillful simulation and prediction of the Antarctic sea ice multidecadal variability require accurate simulation and prediction of the mixed layer, deep convection, and surface wind variability in the model.

Triple conversion strategy to build anti-de-icing sheets for the leading edge of the rotor blade

Aircraft anti-icing and de-icing, aimed at reducing energy consumption, is a compelling technology that enables a plethora of eco-friendly energy applications to overcome long-standing crisis challenges. In this study, we present a tri-conversion strategy, inspired by superhydrophobicity, photothermal conversion, and electrothermal conversion, to develop an all-weather, high-efficiency, and low-energy rotor leading edge anti-icing and de-icing patch. The experimental samples not only possess stable superhydrophobic photothermal conversion capabilities but also achieve a 610-second delay in droplet icing, a 1-second nitrogen blow for frost, and a low ice adhesion strength of 11.6 KPa. Under one sun illumination, it can achieve a stable 54-second static melt and 37-second dynamic melt. With a connection to a 24 V DC stabilized power supply, it showcases an excellent 146-second de-icing capability. The synergistic action of multiple barriers enhances the anti-icing and de-icing performance. This work not only provides rational design principles for high-energy consumption de-icing but also offers insights into harnessing the power of nature for photothermal conversion de-icing.

Observation of wave propagation over 1,000 km into Antarctica winter pack ice

ABSTRACT A drifting wave-ice buoy (Medusa-766) was deployed at the Lützow-Holm Bay (LHB) marginal ice zone in Antarctica during the 63rd Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition to study the wave influence on the unstable LHB fast ice. Medusa-766 survived the Antarctic winter as it was located deep in the ice cover with the shortest distance to the ice-free Southern Ocean over 1,000 km; at this time, there was evidence of 8-cm-height wave signal at the buoy position. Using the the ECMWF’s reanalysis wave data, we show that the incoming waves were likely 4-m waves that were generated by an extratropical cyclone in the Southern Ocean. Wave-induced ice breakup potential for this event could extend hundreds of kilometres into the ice field. When Medusa-766 was in LHB in the summer months, it did not detect sizable wave energy despite the low sea ice concentration extent even during on-ice wave events. Understanding the wave attenuation characteristics is needed to elucidate the ocean wave effect to the unstable LHB fast ice. The success of Medusa-766 demonstrates the robustness of the general design and the high sensitivity of the sensor used, which is promising for future LHB wave–ice interaction research.

The kinematic significance of subglacial bedforms and their use in palaeo-glaciological reconstructions

Subglacial bedforms are relevant geomorphic markers for palaeo-glaciological reconstructions. Due to the complexity of thermomechanical interactions between ice, till and water on subglacial beds, their formation processes and significance in palaeo-glaciology are still controversial. Based on the measurement and comparison of morphometric characteristics (length, width, amplitude, area and volume) of ∼250 000 bedforms formed below terrestrial ice sheets during the last glacial period, we propose a unified kinematic model, consistent with the ‘bed deformation model’, whereby bedform shapes and orientations depend on their degree of evolution and reflect the magnitude and orientation of finite bed deformation in response to motion of the overlying ice. Two application examples from the Low Land Ice Dome (British-Irish Ice Sheet) and Keewatin Ice Dome (Laurentide Ice Sheet) demonstrate how this model enables the derivation of palaeo-glaciological maps of finite bed deformation, which can then be used to better constrain ice flow directions, their relative velocities, and the location of subglacial drainage routes.

Influence of Climate Warming on the Ground Surface Stability over Permafrost along the Qinghai–Tibet Engineering Corridor

The warming climate has posed a serious threat on ground surface stability. In permafrost regions, ground surface instability may induce engineering and geological disasters, especially for the engineering corridor. It is difficult to evaluate ground surface stability over permafrost because the stability is influenced by various factors in permafrost regions. Many single index models cannot comprehensively evaluate the ground surface stability for permafrost. We, therefore, proposed an evaluation model considering different influential factors based on the trapezoidal fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. And the ground surface stability was calculated and analyzed along the Qinghai–Tibet Engineering Corridor under three climate warming conditions (the slow climate warming, the medium climate warming and the rapid climate warming). The results show that the ground surface stability influential factors, including the mean annual ground temperature, the active layer thickness, and the volume ice content, will be greatly changed with the warming climate. By 2100, the percentage of high-temperature permafrost (−0.5 °C < T ≤ 0 °C) will increase about 29.45% with rapid climate warming. The active layer thickness will have an average thickening rate of about 0.030 m/year. Most of the high ice content permafrost will change to low ice content permafrost. The ground surface stability, therefore, will be greatly changed with the warming climate along the Qinghai–Tibet Engineering Corridor. Compared to the present, the stable area will decrease about 5.28% by 2050 under the slow climate warming. And that is approximately 7.91% and 21.78% under the medium and rapid climate warming, respectively. While in year 2100, the decrement is obviously increased. The stable area will decrease about 11.22% under the slow climate warming and about 17.3% under the medium climate warming. The proportion of stable area, however, has an increasing trend under the rapid climate warming. This phenomenon is mainly caused by the warming climate which can lead to the permafrost being degraded to melting soil. The unstable area is mainly distributed near the Chumaer River high plain, Tuotuohe–Yanshiping, Wudaoliang, Tangula Mountains, and other high-temperature permafrost areas. This paper provides a reference for geological hazard prevention and engineering construction along the Qinghai–Tibet Engineering Corridor.