Research Articles

Multi-scenario-based hazard analysis of high temperature extremes experienced in China during 1951-2010

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  • 1. Department of Geography, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China;
    2. Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China;
    3. School of Tourism and City Management, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China

Received date: 2012-11-14

  Revised date: 2013-01-16

  Online published: 2013-06-15

Abstract

China is physically and socio-economically susceptible to global warming-derived high temperature extremes because of its vast area and high urban population density. This article presents a scenario-based analysis method for high temperature extremes aimed at illustrating the latter’s hazardous potential and exposure across China. Based on probability analysis, high temperature extreme scenarios with return periods of 5, 10, 20, and 50 years were designed, with a high temperature hazard index calculated by integrating two differentially-weighted extreme temperature indices (maximum temperature and high temperature days). To perform the exposure analysis, a land use map was employed to determine the spatial distribution of susceptible human activities under the different scenarios. The results indicate that there are two heat-prone regions and a sub-hotspot occupying a relatively small land area. However, the societal and economic consequences of such an environmental impact upon the North China Plain and middle/lower Yangtze River Basin would be substantial due to the concentration of human activities in these areas.

Cite this article

YIN Zhan’e, YIN Jie, ZHANG Xiaowei . Multi-scenario-based hazard analysis of high temperature extremes experienced in China during 1951-2010[J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2013 , 23(3) : 436 -446 . DOI: 10.1007/s11442-013-1020-z

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