A dataset of glacier and glacial lake distribution in key areas of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor during 2013–2017

The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor is characterized by complex landform and geology, unique hydrological and climate conditions, rich mountain snow and glacier of altogether, which altogether provide sufficient material conditions for ice disaster development. However, due to geographical factors, field investigation and on-site data collection are difficult to conduct. Remote sensing technology thus provides an important means to obtain data on the change and development of glacier and glacial lake in this region. We determined a classification standard to delimit glacier and glacial lake in the study area, based on the concept of glacial lake and the requirements of glacial lake cataloging and glacial calamity studies. The dataset of glacier and glacial lake distribution in key areas of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is built with an object-oriented approach based on the Landsat 8 OLI images for 2013–2017. The data have a spatial scope between 34° to 42° latitude and 73° to 82° longitude approximately, covering Gaizi River Basin, Nubra Basin, Shaksgam River Basin, and Hunza River Basin in northern Pakistan. The object-oriented classification method can be used to improve the interpretation speed and accuracy compared with traditional methods. Long-term and regular monitoring of glacier and glacial lake in the areas can provide data support for further construction of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, as well as for scientific decision-making concerning regional water resource change and the risk assessment of glacial lake outburst.