Spatial Distribution of the Extreme Hydrological Events in Xinjiang
2013-08-21
Over the past few decades, damage caused by extreme natural hazards has increased worldwide. Of particular concern are areas of China such as Xinjiang, which has experienced severe damage due to extreme flood and snow events. There has been an evident upward trend in the number of injuries, fatalities, and losses each year as a consequence of rapid economic development, which has, in turn, seen a marked increase in scientific efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of extreme hydrological events. Determining spatial distribution of hydrological events has become a major research area, offering an effective application tool for early warning and hydrological disaster preparedness.
Based on data from 1901 to 2010, SUN Guili et al. studied the spatial distribution patterns in different types and briefly analyzed the factors that influence such patterns for extreme historical hydrological events in Xinjiang.
Frequency distribution showed a general symmetry along the Tianshan Mountains, with even distribution in Junggar Basin and Tarim Basin. Frequency was more in the north-west than in the southeast. The maximum incidence was in west Tianshan Mountains and generally decreased south-eastward. There were significant regional variations in type distribution. Rainstorm floods were more common in central Xinjiang. Hailstorms mainly occurred in the central Junggar Basin, the southern slope of the western Tianshan Mountains and north-west of Tarim Basin. Debris flow was mainly distributed in Ili Valley and the central northern Tianshan Mountains. Glacier lake outburst floods were more common in the Karakorum Mountains and southern slopes of the western Tianshan Mountains. Ice floods were mainly distributed in the western Tianshan Mountains. Snow hazards were mainly distributed in the wide northern areas, especially the Altai Mountains and Hamilton Basin. Snowmelt floods were mainly distributed in the Tacheng Basin and Ili Valley. The incidence of extreme hydrological events was greatly affected by weather systems and terrain features.
Result from this study will help bridge the gap between scientific studies of the physical properties of extreme hydrological events and their human impacts and mitigation strategies. The result was published in Natural Hazards in June 2013.
Based on data from 1901 to 2010, SUN Guili et al. studied the spatial distribution patterns in different types and briefly analyzed the factors that influence such patterns for extreme historical hydrological events in Xinjiang.
Frequency distribution showed a general symmetry along the Tianshan Mountains, with even distribution in Junggar Basin and Tarim Basin. Frequency was more in the north-west than in the southeast. The maximum incidence was in west Tianshan Mountains and generally decreased south-eastward. There were significant regional variations in type distribution. Rainstorm floods were more common in central Xinjiang. Hailstorms mainly occurred in the central Junggar Basin, the southern slope of the western Tianshan Mountains and north-west of Tarim Basin. Debris flow was mainly distributed in Ili Valley and the central northern Tianshan Mountains. Glacier lake outburst floods were more common in the Karakorum Mountains and southern slopes of the western Tianshan Mountains. Ice floods were mainly distributed in the western Tianshan Mountains. Snow hazards were mainly distributed in the wide northern areas, especially the Altai Mountains and Hamilton Basin. Snowmelt floods were mainly distributed in the Tacheng Basin and Ili Valley. The incidence of extreme hydrological events was greatly affected by weather systems and terrain features.
Result from this study will help bridge the gap between scientific studies of the physical properties of extreme hydrological events and their human impacts and mitigation strategies. The result was published in Natural Hazards in June 2013.