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Abstract
Climate warming leads to permafrost degradation and permafrost melting phase transition, resulting in an increasing number of landslides. This study uses the road segments and road area at the intersection between Bei’an-Heihe Highway and the northwest section of the Lesser Khingan Range in north China as the study area. By means of geological survey combined with meteorological data, we analyzed the impact of climate change on landslide movement in the permafrost zone. Over a 60 year period, the average annual temperature of the study area has increased by 3.2 °C, and permafrost degradation is severe. Loose soil on the hillside surface provides appropriate conditions for the infiltration of atmospheric precipitation and snowmelt, and seepage from thawing permafrost. As it infiltrates downwards, water is blocked by the underlying permafrost or dense soil, and infiltrates along this barrier layer toward lower positions，forming a potential sliding zone. The representative Landslide in the study area was examined in detail. Displacement monitoring points were set up on the surface of the landslide mass, and at the trailing edge of the landslide mass. The data collected were used to investigate the relationship between landslide movement and pore water pressure at the tailing edge as well as the ground temperature. The results show that the landslide movement process changes with the season, showing a notable annual cyclical characteristic and seasonal activity. Landslide movement is characterized by low angles and intermittence. The time of slide occurrence and the slip rate show a corresponding relationship with the pore water pressure at the tailing edge of the landslide mass. The seepage of water from thawing into the landslide mass will influence the pore water pressure at the tailing edge of the landslide mass, and is the main cause of landslide movement.
Highlights
In northeast China, the area north of 47◦N contains widespread permafrost
Using Landslide K178 + 530 in the landslide area as an example, we used monitoring data of point displacement on the landslide mass, ground temperature at the trailing edge, and pore water pressure to perform a comprehensive analysis of the impact of climate change on the pore water pressure at the measuring points and the landslide movement process
We found that, over the 60 year period from 1954 to 2013, the annual average temperature in the study area increased by 3.2◦C; the average annual maximum temperature increased by 1.5◦C, or 21.99%; the average annual minimum temperature increased by 5.2◦C, or 69.04%; and the average annual precipitation decreased by 4.85 cm, or 8.93%
Summary
In northeast China, the area north of 47◦N contains widespread permafrost. This is China’s only high-latitude permafrost region, and is China’s second largest permafrost region (Guo et al, 1981; Zhou et al, 1996; Sun et al, 2007). The impact of landslides induced by glacier and permafrost degradation in cold regions; on the topography, geological environment, water resources, and biodiversity has been examined; and the role of climate, a main factor influencing the landslide movement, in the evolution of landslides in cold areas has been discussed (Fischer et al, 2013; Haeberli, 2013; Kliem et al, 2013; Starnberger et al, 2013; Ballantyne et al, 2014; Grab and Linde, 2014; Nussbaumer et al, 2014). There has been no report on the mechanisms, movement characteristics, and patterns of landslides induced by the combined effect of permafrost thawing and extreme weather events due to climate change and geological conditions. Cma.gov.cn/home.do), we analyzed the impact of climate change on permafrost thaw, geological environment, and landslide mechanisms in the study area. Using Landslide K178 + 530 in the landslide area as an example, we used monitoring data of point displacement on the landslide mass, ground temperature at the trailing edge, and pore water pressure to perform a comprehensive analysis of the impact of climate change on the pore water pressure at the measuring points and the landslide movement process
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