The loess landslide on 15 march 2019 in Shanxi Province, China

Abstract

On 15 March 2019, a fatal deep-seated landslide occurred at the village of Zaoling in Xiangning County of Shanxi Province, China. Extending to an area of about 120 m by 85 m, with an estimated displaced mass volume of 72,000 m3, the landslide left 20 people dead, 13 injured, and 8 buildings destroyed. There were no precursory signals prior to the event, and usual triggering mechanisms for a landslide were absent. Investigation conducted immediately after the incident revealed that the landslide was initiated in a 1.0 to 1.5-m thick-softened layer located at 40 m depth along the contact between the loess and interbedded paleosol layer. This softened layer was highly saturated due to the perched water on top of the relatively impervious paleosol layer and became a critical weak zone since the shear strength of loess is very sensitive to water content. We suggest that the perched water originated from extensive long-term unsaturated seepage of rainwater and local rapid percolation along preferential channels such as sinkholes and root network. The Zaoling landslide confirms that unlike most landslides in non-loess areas, loess landslides can occur without identifiable triggering events. They can result from gradual build up of instability due to slow (in the span of hundred years) accumulation of deep soil water. Based on the lessons learned from this landslide event, suggestions are given for the planning of urban and rural development in loess areas. Due to the fact that the process leading to the development of such a landslide is largely concealed, further research should be aimed at gaining a more thorough understanding of the mechanism of this landslide type.

Analysis of landslide deformation in eastern Qinghai Province, Northwest China, using SBAS-InSAR

“…On July 10, 2013, the Wulipo landslide transformed into a debris ow, destroying 12 houses, 44 deaths, and 117 missing persons(Chen and Science 2017). On March 15, 2019, a large-scale fatal loess landslide occurred, leading to 20 fatalities, 13 injuries, and the destruction of 8 buildings (Shi et al 2020). On June 24, 2017, a sudden high-level collapse of a mountain occurred in Mao County, Sichuan Province, causing a 2-kilometer blockage of the river channel, burying over 100 people, with 10 deaths, 73 missing persons, and 64 houses buried (Dong et al 2018).…”

Research on Identification and Location of Mining Landslide in Mining Area Based on Improved YOLO Algorithm

“…After the landslide disaster occurs, accurate and rapid acquisition of landslide location information is very important for subsequent rescue and governance work [7]. Indeed, the rapid identification and location of landslide-prone areas has become an urgent issue that needs to be addressed.…”

Water Sensitivity and Structural Properties of Loess

“…This phenomenon is one of the main reasons for frequent engineering and natural disasters in loess regions. For example, the 2019 landslide in Zaoling Village, Yongning County, Shanxi Province, resulted in severe casualties and building damage [3]. In 2011, the Bailuyuan landslide in Baqiao District, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, caused 32 deaths.…”