Abstract ID: 28.7287 | Accepted as Poster | Poster | 2025-02-28 12:45 - 14:15 | Ágnes‐Heller‐Haus/Small Lecture Room

In the Himalayas, thawing permafrost is widely recognized as a major risk for initiating mass movements, influencing hydrological runoff or impacting biodiversity. However, information and knowledge on the occurrence and changes of mountain permafrost in the Himalayas are still very scarce or absent in most areas, such as Bhutan. In the recently launched CRYO-SPIRIT project, Bhutan and Switzerland are joining hands to initiate permafrost research in Bhutan and to fill this important white spot. The project strategy focuses on three main aspects, namely (i) collecting and computing permafrost data using in-situ and remote sensing technologies, (ii) assessing and raising awareness about (future) risks related to permafrost thaw, including the development of adaptation strategies and (iii) building capacity of local researchers to sustain permafrost related monitoring, research and teaching activities in Bhutan. To assess permafrost, we focus on compiling the first regional map of potential permafrost distribution in Bhutan using in-situ Ground Surface Temperature (GST) measurements and remote sensing-based mapping of permafrost characteristic landforms, particularly rock glaciers. The first CRYO-SPIRIT field campaign took place in autumn 2024 in the vicinity of Thana glacier (Chamkhar Chhu Basin, Bumthang). This site was selected for its proximity to one of the three benchmark glaciers visited annually by researchers from Bhutan’s National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (thus ensuring the long-term continuation of the measurements) as well as for the existence of an automatic weather station and the presence of identified periglacial landforms. During the field campaign, ground surface temperature loggers have been installed between 4300 m asl (below the lower limit of permafrost) and 5200 m asl along an elevation gradient and with different exposition. In this contribution, we present the results of the first field campaign of the CRYO-SPIRIT project and intend to foster discussions and potential collaborations with international permafrost experts.