Catastrophic multi-phase mass flow from temperate glacier catchments in Southeast Tibetan Plateau

Catastrophic multi-phase mass flows (CMMFs) constitute significant geohazards in high mountain cryosphere area, particularly in Southeastern Tibet Plateau (SETP) where temperate glaciers retreat rapidly. Research on the CMMFs is still limited for a systematic understanding of relationships between their magnitude-frequency and susceptibility. In this study, we re-evaluated eight temperate glacial catchments affected by recurrent CMMFs using multi-source geophysical data to quantitatively evaluate their hypsometry, glacier characteristics, and instability. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) framework was employed to evaluate the CMMFs susceptibility. We showed that these CMMF events typically transpire during summer monsoon seasons, while ice avalanches can occur during cold seasons, glacier debris flows showing significantly elevated susceptibility. This study provides an analysis strategy for hazard assessment and risk adaptation of CMMFs.