Topography and geology effects on travel distances of natural terrain landslides: evidence from a large multi-temporal landslide inventory in Hong Kong
Citation
Gao, L., Zhang, L.M., Chen, H.X., Fei, K., Hong, Y. (2021). Topography and geology effects on travel distances of natural terrain landslides: evidence from a large multi-temporal landslide inventory in Hong Kong. Engineering Geology, 292: 106266. Link to paper
Abstract
Based on 11,622 records from the Enhanced Natural Terrain Landslide Inventory (1984-2013), this study analyzes controls on travel distance for open hillslope landslides and channelized debris flows in Hong Kong. Mean horizontal travel distances are reported as 24.1 m for open hillslope landslides and 86.3 m for channelized debris flows. The study derives correlations combining horizontal travel distance, fall height, and landslide volume, and shows a strong relationship between travel distance and fall height for both landslide types. It also demonstrates that the L/H ratio alone is insufficient as a mobility descriptor. Geological effects are significant: channelized debris flows on colluvium exhibit substantially longer travel distances than those on weathered mantles due to entrainment processes.