Failure mechanisms and characteristics of the 2016 catastrophic rockslide at Su village, Lishui, China

Abstract

This paper describes a recent large rockslide, which occurred at Su village in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China, on September 28, 2016. In the past decade, a vegetation-free deformed surface was clearly visible and frequent rockfalls were noticed. Due to strong sustained rainfall, approximately 0.4 million m3 of granite blocks rapidly descended from the upper part of the hillside. The mass rushed into the V-shaped valley resulting in the formation of a barrier dam and dammed lake. The catastrophic rockslide caused 27 deaths and more than 20 houses were destroyed. The evolutionary process before the rockslide is clearly captured by high-resolution remote sensing images and photos. Video of the rockslide and field investigations show entrainment of superficial material in the middle and lower parts of the slope.