Elucidating the role of soil hydraulic properties on aspect-dependent landslide initiation

• Published in: Hydrology and earth system sciences 2023-04, Vol.27 (8), p.1667-1682
• Main Authors: Guo, Yanglin, Ma, Chao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Antecedent precipitation; Classical mechanics; Field investigations; Field tests; Flowers & plants; Geomorphology; Hydraulic properties; Hydraulics; Hydrology; Hydrostatic pressure; Image resolution; Landslides; Landslides & mudslides; Leakage; Lithology; Mechanics; Physical properties; Plant roots; Pore pressure; Pore water; Pore water pressure; Precipitation; Probability theory; Rain; Rain water; Rainfall; Rainy season; Remote sensing; Roots; Slope; Slope gradients; Slopes; Soil properties; Soils; Vegetation; Water flow; Water pressure; Water storage; Weathering; Wet season
• ISSN: 1607-7938; 1027-5606; 1607-7938
• DOI: 10.5194/hess-27-1667-2023

Aspect-dependent landslide initiation is an interesting finding, and previous studies have attributed this to the mechanical effects of plant roots. In the present study, an overwhelming landslide probability on a south-facing slope over a north-facing slope was found in a localized area with only granite underneath and high cover of Larix kaempferi. These observations cannot be attributed to plant roots but may result from factors related to hillslope hydrology. Differential weathering associated with hillslope hydrology behaviors such as rainfall water storage and leakage, pore water pressure, particle component, and hillslope stability fluctuation were used to examine these observations. Remote sensing interpretation using the high-resolution GeoEye-1 image, digitalized topography, and field investigations showed that landslides on south-facing slopes have a higher probability, larger basal area, and shallower depth than those on a north-facing slope. The lower limits of the upslope-contributing area and slope gradient condition for south-facing landslides were less than those for north-facing landslides. The higher basal areas of south-facing landslides than those of the north-facing landslides may be attributed to the high peak values and slow dissipation of pore water pressure. The absorbed and drained water flow in a given time interval, together with the calculated water storage and leakage measured during the rainy season, demonstrate that the soil mass above the failure zone for south-facing slope is more prone to pore water pressure, which results in slope failures. In comparison, the two stability fluctuation results from the finite and infinite models further verified that landslides on south-facing slopes may fail under conditions of prolonged antecedent precipitation and intensive rainfall. Meanwhile, those on north-facing slopes may fail only in response to intensive rainfall. The results of this study will deepen our knowledge of aspect-dependent landslide initiation from both classical mechanics and the state of stress.