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Landslides on the Loess Plateau of China: a latest statistics together with a close look

Author

Listed:
  • Xiang-Zhou Xu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources
    Dalian University of Technology)

  • Wen-Zhao Guo

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Ya-Kun Liu

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Jian-Zhong Ma

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources)

  • Wen-Long Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources)

  • Hong-Wu Zhang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Hang Gao

    (Dalian University of Technology)

Abstract

Landslide plays an important role in landscape evolution, delivers huge amounts of sediment to rivers and seriously affects the structure and function of ecosystems and society. Here, a statistical analysis together with a field investigation was carried out on the Loess Plateau of China to address the challenges. The study tracks landslide-related deaths and collects knowledge about this natural hazard. Since the 1980s, 53 fatal landslides have occurred, causing 717 deaths. As the most important trigger, rainfall induced 40% of the catastrophic landslides, while other factors, i.e., human activities, freeze–thaw and earthquake, accounted for 36, 23 and 1%, respectively. Furthermore, landslide frequency and death toll related to human activities were increasing as time went on. Landslide also plays an important role in sediment delivery, especially in areas with steep terrain. Sediment discharge from landslides accounts for a considerable proportion of the total soil loss in the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River. In some catchments of the Loess Plateau, landslides contributed over 50% of the total sediment discharge. The result shows that landslide is a widespread geologic hazard in the rural area of the Loess Plateau, China.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiang-Zhou Xu & Wen-Zhao Guo & Ya-Kun Liu & Jian-Zhong Ma & Wen-Long Wang & Hong-Wu Zhang & Hang Gao, 2017. "Landslides on the Loess Plateau of China: a latest statistics together with a close look," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 86(3), pages 1393-1403, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:86:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s11069-016-2738-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-016-2738-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Y. Tang & Q. Xue & Z. Li & W. Feng, 2015. "Three modes of rainfall infiltration inducing loess landslide," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 79(1), pages 137-150, October.
    2. Massimo Conforti & Stefania Pascale & Francesco Sdao, 2015. "Mass movements inventory map of the Rubbio stream catchment (Basilicata - South Italy)," Journal of Maps, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 454-463, May.
    3. Jane Qiu, 2014. "Landslide risks rise up agenda," Nature, Nature, vol. 511(7509), pages 272-273, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhuo Chen & Danqing Song, 2021. "Numerical investigation of the recent Chenhecun landslide (Gansu, China) using the discrete element method," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 105(1), pages 717-733, January.
    2. Xiangjian Rui & Lei Nie & Yan Xu & Hong Wang, 2019. "Land Degeneration due to Water Infiltration and Sub-Erosion: A Case Study of Soil Slope Failure at the National Geological Park of Qian-an Mud Forest, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Xing Su & Wanhong Wei & Weilin Ye & Xingmin Meng & Weijiang Wu, 2019. "Predicting landslide sliding distance based on energy dissipation and mass point kinematics," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 96(3), pages 1367-1385, April.
    4. Sen Zhang & Chong Xu & Zhenjiang Meng & Tao Li & Chao Li & Yuandong Huang & Xiaoyi Shao & Liye Feng & Penghan Luo & Changyou Luo, 2024. "Establishing a Landslide Traces Inventory for the Baota District, Yan’an City, China, Using High-Resolution Satellite Images," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-18, September.
    5. Zhilu Chang & Huanxiang Gao & Faming Huang & Jiawu Chen & Jinsong Huang & Zizheng Guo, 2020. "Study on the creep behaviours and the improved Burgers model of a loess landslide considering matric suction," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 103(1), pages 1479-1497, August.
    6. Fanyu Zhang & Jianbing Peng & Xiaowei Huang & Hengxing Lan, 2021. "Hazard assessment and mitigation of non-seismically fatal landslides in China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 106(1), pages 785-804, March.

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