Effects of Tectonic Setting and Hydraulic Properties on Silent Large-Scale Landslides: A Case Study of the Zhaobishan Landslide, China

Shufeng Tian; Guisheng Hu; Ningsheng Chen; Mahfuzur Rahman; Huayong Ni; Marcelo Somos-Valenzuela

doi:10.1007/s13753-023-00502-0

Volume 14 Issue 4

Sep. 2023

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Article Navigation > International Journal of Disaster Risk Science > 2023 > 14(4): 600-617

Shufeng Tian, Guisheng Hu, Ningsheng Chen, Mahfuzur Rahman, Huayong Ni, Marcelo Somos-Valenzuela. Effects of Tectonic Setting and Hydraulic Properties on Silent Large-Scale Landslides: A Case Study of the Zhaobishan Landslide, China[J]. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2023, 14(4): 600-617. doi: 10.1007/s13753-023-00502-0

Citation:

Shufeng Tian, Guisheng Hu, Ningsheng Chen, Mahfuzur Rahman, Huayong Ni, Marcelo Somos-Valenzuela. Effects of Tectonic Setting and Hydraulic Properties on Silent Large-Scale Landslides: A Case Study of the Zhaobishan Landslide, China[J]. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2023, 14(4): 600-617. doi: 10.1007/s13753-023-00502-0

Citation:

Shufeng Tian, Guisheng Hu, Ningsheng Chen, Mahfuzur Rahman, Huayong Ni, Marcelo Somos-Valenzuela. Effects of Tectonic Setting and Hydraulic Properties on Silent Large-Scale Landslides: A Case Study of the Zhaobishan Landslide, China[J]. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2023, 14(4): 600-617. doi: 10.1007/s13753-023-00502-0

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Effects of Tectonic Setting and Hydraulic Properties on Silent Large-Scale Landslides: A Case Study of the Zhaobishan Landslide, China

doi: 10.1007/s13753-023-00502-0

1. Key Lab of Mountain Hazards and Surface Processes, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610299, China;
2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China;
3. Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability, Xining, 810016, China;
4. Kathmandu Center for Research and Education, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Tribhuvan University, Beijing, 100101, China;
5. Department of Civil Engineering, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology(IUBAT), Dhaka, 1230, Bangladesh;
6. Department of Civil Engineering, Kunsan National University, Gunsan, 54150, Republic of Korea;
7. Institute of Exploration Technology, China Geological Survey, Chengdu, 611734, China;
8. Department of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, 4780000, Temuco, Chile

Funds:

This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. U20A20110), the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP) of China (Grant No. 2019QZKK0902), the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS (ID 2020367), and the International Cooperation Overseas Platform Project, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. 131C11KYSB20200033). All financial supports are greatly appreciated. The authors would like to thank the Sichuan Huadi Construction Engineering Co. Ltd. and Liangshan Meteorological Office for their data and help.

Accepted Date: 2023-07-20
Publish Date: 2023-08-24

Abstract

Abstract

Unlike strong earthquake-triggered or heavy rainfall-triggered landslides, silent large-scale landslides (SLL) occur without significant triggering factors and cause unexpected significant disaster risks and mass casualties. Understanding the initiation mechanism of SLLs is crucial for risk reduction. In this study, the mechanism of the Zhaobishan SLL was investigated, and the SLL was jointly controlled by weak-soil (fractured rock mass) and strong-water (abundant water replenishment) conditions under the impact of active tectonism and complex hydraulic properties. Strong tectonic uplift, high fault density, and historical earthquakes led to weak-soil conditions conducive to the Zhaobishan SLL. The combined effect of unique lithology, antiform, and cultivated land contributed to the water replenishment characteristics of extensive runoff confluence (3.16 times that of the landslide body) and supported long-distance groundwater replenishment, thereby forming strong-water conditions for the landslide. The amplified seepage amount caused the strength of the soil mass on the sliding surface to decrease to 0.4 times its initial strength, eventually triggering the Zhaobishan SLL, which occurred 4.6 days after the peak rainfall. Moreover, the landslide deposits have accumulated on the semi-diagenetic clay rock, thereby controlling the subsequent recurring debris flows in the Lengzi Gully. To reduce disaster risk of SLL in vulnerable mountainous regions, the water confluence area behind the main scarp of the landslides and the hysteresis characteristics between landslides and peak rainfall should be further considered, and recurring debris flows following massive landslides also should be focused.
- Debris flow,
- Hydraulic properties,
- Risk reduction,
- Runoff amplification,
- Silent large-scale landslides (SLL),
- Tectonic setting

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References(76)

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