Large-scale geohazards risk of submarine landslides considering the subsea cables vulnerability: A case study from the northern continental slopes of South China Sea

• Published in: Engineering geology 2024-12, Vol.343, p.107788, Article 107788
• Main Authors: Zheng, Defeng, Fang, Qingkang, Lei, Deyu, Wang, Zehao, Yan, Chenglin, Rong, Ze
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Large-scale geohazard risk; Monte Carlo simulation; Northern continental slopes of South China Sea; Slope failure probability; Submarine landslides; Subsea cable vulnerability
• ISSN: 0013-7952
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107788

Submarine landslides pose significant threats to subsea cables distributed on the global seabed. However, regional scale risk assessment of landslide geohazards is rarely reported. This study introduces a methodology for regional-scale geohazard risk prediction of submarine landslides, focusing on the northern continental slopes of the South China Sea. Initially, the study employed the infinite-slope method to calculate safety factors for typical submarine slopes. Addressing uncertainties in geotechnical and seismic parameters, Monte Carlo simulations determine slope failure probabilities. Using kriging interpolation, localized failure probabilities are extrapolated to regional scales, establishing a spatiotemporal distribution method for large-scale geohazard susceptibility. Hazard levels are subsequently determined considering the volumes of potential landslides. The density of subsea cables is used as a vulnerability factor to guide the regional-scale assessment of cable vulnerability. Finally, integrating vulnerability with hazard levels provides a comprehensive assessment of landslide-induced large-scale geohazard risks. The findings highlight elevated geohazard risks in the Taiwan Bank slope segment, moderate risks in the Zhujiang Valley and Shenhu slope segments, with lower risks in other areas. •A methodology for large-scale geohazard risk assessment considering the vulnerability of subsea cables is proposed.•Geohazard risk maps across the northern South China Sea are presented, integrating vulnerability with hazard levels.•Slope failure probabilities are calculated using Monte Carlo simulations considering the parameter uncertainties.•A method for assessing large-scale geohazard susceptibility and hazard levels induced by submarine landslides is suggested.