Over 100,000 landslides triggered by typhoon-induced rainfall in North China in July 2023
Citation
Xie, C., Huang, Y., Xu, C., et al. (2026). Over 100,000 landslides triggered by typhoon-induced rainfall in North China in July 2023. Landslides. Link to paper
Abstract
In July 2023, under the combined influence of the residual circulation of Typhoon Doksuri and orographic uplift in North China, the region experienced an unprecedented extreme rainstorm that triggered widespread, clustered landslide disasters. Based on remote sensing imagery and human-computer interactive interpretation, a total of 104,555 landslides were identified, with a cumulative area of approximately 113.11 km2. Using this complete landslide inventory, we analyzed their spatial distribution and mobility. In addition, we examined the distribution patterns and influencing factors in relation to topography, geology, soil types, and rainfall. The results show that the inventory is dominated by small- to medium-sized landslides with areas ranging from 100 to 3,000 m2, and their frequency-area distribution follows a power-law relationship. Landslides are highly concentrated in the northeastern and east-central parts of the study area, closely matching the typhoon rainfall path and zones of orographic uplift. Since the ratio of landslide height drop to runout distance is generally less than 1, the landslides exhibit strong mobility. Overall, landslides preferentially occur in zones characterized by the coupling of low- to moderate-relief terrain, weak geological conditions, and intense rainfall. These findings provide a scientific basis for typhoon-induced landslide risk assessment and disaster mitigation in North China, and also offer valuable reference for studies of rainfall-induced clustered landslides under global climate change.