Citation

Zhao B, Wang Y, Luo Y, Liang R, Li J, Xie L. R. Soc. Open Sci. 2019; 6(1): 180844.

Affiliation

State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, People's Republic of China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Royal Society Publishing)

DOI

10.1098/rsos.180844

PMID

30800347

PMCID

PMC6366217

Abstract

Large landslides (volume greater than or equal to 10⁶ m³) usually have disastrous consequences and clearly influence the evolution of the local landscape. In this study, a detailed investigation of large landslides, across 20 towns over an area of 5000 km², was carried out on the northeastern margin of the Bayan Har Block, at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, China. The results show that there are 129 large landslides in this area. Among them, 79 landslides have volumes within 10⁶-10⁷ m³, 52 landslides have volumes within 10⁷-10⁸ m³ and 2 landslides have volumes larger than 10⁸ m³. Most of these landslides are distributed along rivers, and more than 32% are densely concentrated in three small regions. The landslides mainly occur in high slopes and exhibit obvious sturzstrom characteristics. Analysis of the factors controlling landslide occurrence shows that elevation, slope angle, slope aspect, lithology, faults and rivers (valley) clearly influence landslide occurrence, while rainfall has no obvious influence. Earthquakes are considered an important trigger of and contributor to landslide occurrence.

Language: en

Keywords

control factors; large landslide; northeastern margin of the Bayan Har Block; typical characteristics