Yihua Zhong
Assistant professor
climate change; earthquake; high mountain Asia; mountain hazards; tree-ring; risk
PhD (University of Geneva, 2024). Master's at Sichuan University (2020). Bachelor degree at Tianjin Chengijan University (2017).
My research focuses on mountain hazard and risk assessment, with an emphasis on flash floods, debris flows, avalanches, and rockfalls. By studying historical and recent events, the goal is to predict future hazard trends. I employed a multidisciplinary approach, integrating dendrogeomorphology, hydrological modelling, historical archives, aerial imagery, radar data, flow gauges, rainfall observations, and reanalysis datasets to investigate hazard frequency, intensity, extreme weather events, and associated risks.
Previous research areas included the Swiss Alps and Mediterranean mountain regions, while current efforts are focused on the Tibetan Plateau and its national parks, particularly Southeastern Tibet and the Eastern Himalayas (e.g., Bomi, Nyingchi, Medog), as well as the natural landscapes of Western Sichuan (e.g., Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Siguaniang Mountain).
Publications
Qie J, Favillier A, Ballesteros-Cánovas JA, Lopez-Saez J, Guillet S, Francon L, Zhong Y, Stoffel M, Christophe C. 2024. A supply-limited torrent that does not feel the heat of climate change. Nature Communications 15, 9078. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53316-z
Zhong Y, Ballesteros–Cánovas JA, Favillier A, Corona C, Zenhäusern G, Muñoz-Torrero Manchado A, Guillet S, Giacona F, Eckert N, Qie J, Tscherrig G, Stoffel M. 2024. Historical flood reconstruction in a torrential alpine catchment and its implication for flood hazard assessments, Journal of Hydrology 629, 130547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.130547
Zhong Y, Guillet S, Corona C, Favillier A, Ballesteros Cánovas JA, Huneau F, Qie J, Stoffel M. 2024. Mediterranean cyclones are a substantial cause of damaging floods in Corsica. Nature Communications Earth & Environment 5, 711. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01836-3
2024
2023
Zhong Y, Favillier A, Ballesteros Cánovas JA, Qie J, Muñoz-Torrero Manchado A, Guillet S, Huneau F, Corona C, Stoffel M. 2023. 250 years of flood frequency and discharge in an ungauged Corsican mountain catchment: A dendrogeomorphic reconstruction. Science of The Total Environment 879, 163138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163138
2022
Qie J, Zhang Y, Trappmann D, Zhong Y, Ballesteros-Cánovas JA, Favillier A, Stoffel M. 2022. Long-term reconstruction of flash floods in the Qilian Mountains, China, based on dendrogeomorphic methods. Journal of Mountain Science 19, 3163-3177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-022-7577-1