Mountain area monitoring using modern communication and information technologies: global experience and implementation prospects in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania

Abstract

The relevance of the study is determined by the persistent threat of a catastrophic repetition of the Kolka glacier collapse (Republic of North Ossetia–Alania) against the background of anomalous hydrometeorological phenomena and seismic activity in the region, as well as the necessity to establish a modern monitoring system utilizing advanced communication means, information technologies, and mechanisms for involving citizens in natural hazard observation processes. The objective of this research is to substantiate the necessity and develop the architecture of a monitoring system for hazardous glacial processes based on the analysis of global experience in applying modern communication tools, information technologies, seismic forecasting, and citizen science mechanisms (citizen science), adapted to the conditions of North Ossetia with a focus on domestic technological solutions. The research methods encompass a systematic literature review, comparative analysis of national glacier monitoring programs, analysis of the current hydrometeorological and seismic situation, as well as project modeling. The results demonstrated that a three-tier system architecture for the Kolka glacier is effective, incorporating the modernization of the field sensor network using domestic equipment, regular InSAR satellite monitoring, integration of seismic forecast data, and establishment of a regional situational center based on the commercial Data Processing Center «Kavkaz» (DPC «Kavkaz»). The conclusions confirm that the proposed model, which combines automated technical monitoring with the integration of seismic forecasting and citizen science mechanisms, makes it possible to create a sustainable monitoring loop for the Kolka glacier with an alert time of less than 15 minutes, which complies with modern international standards.