Advancements in Remote Sensing for Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

Abstract

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) have emerged as a critical threat to high-mountain communities and ecosystems, driven by accelerated glacier retreat and lake expansion under climate change. This review synthesizes advancements in remote sensing technologies and methodologies for GLOF monitoring, risk assessment, and mitigation. Through a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-guided systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of studies from 2010 to 2025, we evaluate the transformative role of remote sensing in overcoming traditional field-based limitations. Central to this review is the exploration of multi-sensor data fusion for high-resolution lake dynamics mapping, machine learning algorithms for predictive risk modelling, and hydrodynamic simulations for flood propagation analysis. This review underscores the importance of these technologies in improving GLOF risk assessments and supporting early warning systems, which are crucial for safeguarding vulnerable high-mountain communities. It addresses existing challenges, such as data integration and model calibration, and advocates for collaborative efforts between scientists, policymakers, and local stakeholders to translate technological advancements into effective mitigation strategies, ensuring the sustainability of these at-risk regions.

Keywords

• GLOFs
• monitoring
• risk assessment
• remote sensing
• climate change