Landslide Research Articles

Fast physically-based probabilistic modelling of rainfall-induced shallow landslide susceptibility at the regional scale considering geotechnical uncertainties and different hydrological conditions

The inherent uncertainty in hydro-geotechnical parameters presents a significant challenge for accurately predicting rainfall-triggered shallow landslides in mountainous regions. In this study, a novel probabilistic framework was developed and implemented in the “Py.GIS-FSLAM-FORM” software, designed to address the complexities associated with parameter uncertainty, correlation, and distribution. By combining the Fast Shallow Landslide Assessment Model (FSLAM) with the First-Order Reliability Method (FORM), we have enhanced the traditional probabilistic approach to create more accurate landslide susceptibility maps. This study emphasizes the uncertainly of geotechnical parameters and the critical influence of hydrological conditions on landslide susceptibility, especially focusing on the interaction between antecedent recharge (qa) and event rainfall (Pe). In our study area (Val d’Aran, Spain), the probabilistically based results revealed that areas of very high susceptibility are significantly affected by event rainfall, particularly on slopes of 30–40 degrees and aspects between 100 and 250 degrees. The variability in geotechnical parameters, especially the coefficient of variation (COV) in cohesion and friction angle, plays a crucial role in landslide susceptibility assessment, with increased COVs leading to greater landslide uncertainty. Additionally, cross-negative correlations and non-normal distributions of geotechnical parameters substantially influence the spatial distribution of landslides, notably when combining antecedent recharge with event rainfall. These results highlight the importance of incorporating parameter variability and hydrological conditions in susceptibility models to improve the precision of regional landslide forecasts. While the study was performed in Val d'Aran, its methodologies and conclusions are relevant to mountainous areas worldwide, offering insights for refining landslide prediction models and susceptibility assessments, contributing to global efforts in landslide disaster prevention.

Predisposing, triggering and runout processes at a permafrost‐affected rock avalanche site in the French Alps (Étache, June 2020)

AbstractAlthough numerous recent studies have explored the relationship between permafrost degradation and rock slope failure, there is still a need for in‐depth investigations to develop relevant hazard assessment approaches. We investigate the predisposing, triggering and propagation processes of a rock avalanche (c. 225,000 m3) that occurred in Vallon d'Étache (France) on 18 June 2020, whose scar was coated by ice and water. Weather records and energy balance models show that the rock avalanche occurred right after the warmest spring and winter since at least 1985, but also right after the spring with the highest water supply anomaly (snowmelt and rainfall). Measured ground surface temperature and geoelectrical surveys reveal that relatively ice‐rich permafrost could exist in the NW face (release area) while it is inexistent below the SE face, contradicting certain permafrost maps. Heat transfer simulations suggest that the rock avalanche occurred during a transition from cold to warm permafrost conditions at failure depth (30 m), with a temperature increase of up to 0.6°C per decade since 2012 (when considering potential snow cover effect), and current temperature ranging between −3 and −1°C, depending on the applied model forcing. This warming certainly contributed to predispose slope to failure. In addition, the shift towards warm permafrost and water infiltration potentially enhancing permafrost degradation along fractures through heat advection or favouring the development of high hydrostatic pressures may have played as triggering factors. Finally, propagation simulations show that the rock avalanche involved several phases with different rheological properties due to the incorporation of snow and material segregation within the deposit. These new insights at various scales highlight the complexity of the triggering and propagation processes of rock slope failure occurring in high mountains, a significant part of which can be linked to snow effects on ground temperature, water supply and rheological properties.

An Integrated Infrastructure Resilience Approach, from the Geotechnical Asset to the Transport Network

The main objective of this work is to present a comprehensive and integrated methodology to enhance the resilience of transportation critical infrastructure (TCI), focusing on the interplay between geotechnical assets and the transport network. Societies are greatly dependent on transport infrastructure systems, and as the mobility of passengers and the transport of freight is continuously growing, a disruption due to natural or man-made hazards creates significant impacts and dysfunctionalities on their operation and necessitates response measures to minimize vulnerability and ensure continuous functionality and robustness through resilience. Therefore, resilience quantification allows the design of ad hoc operation action plans before, during, and after a disruption, considering the dynamics of societal, ecological, and technological (SET) environments. The current work focuses on resilience quantification methodologies for TCIs and on the influence of single geotechnical asset (i.e., slope failure) resilience capacity on the overall system (i.e., national road network) resilience. Two case studies of unexpected transport network disruptions that took place in Greece are presented, and resilience metrics and performance indicators are applied to quantify the influence of the recovery stage.

Role of rainfall temporal distribution on effective infiltration in the loess slope and prediction model

Rainfall is one of the main causes of landslides, particularly in the Loess Plateau. When rainfall occurs, rainfall thresholds can be used to predict whether it will cause landslides in monitoring and early-warning system. However, most rainfall thresholds are established based on constant rainfall processes. Therefore, this study takes the temporal distribution of rainfall into account in rainfall threshold studies and proposes four well-delineated temporal distribution types and an innovative three-step model. Rainfall thresholds are derived from 45 months of rainfall data and slope moisture data obtained through in-situ monitoring of the loess slope in Yan'an city, northwest China. Our analysis focuses on effective rainfall infiltration rather than shallow landslides as the monitoring index for thresholds. The results revealed a total of 189 rainfall events over the course of 45 months. Among these, 167 were classified as ineffective rainfall events with an infiltration depth of <10 cm, while 22 were categorized as effective rainfall events with an infiltration depth exceeding 10 cm, accounting for only 11.6% of the total. In this study, the temporal distribution of rainfall was classified into four types: transitory, constant, unimodal, and multimodal. Analysis of the monitoring data showed that transitory rainfall events were all effective, constant rainfall events were mostly effective (> 76%), unimodal rainfall events were 86.7% effective, and all multimodal rainfall events were effective, with the deepest infiltration depth. A three-step method was employed to establish thresholds for different types of rainfall. Firstly, cumulative rainfall exceeding 34 mm at a single time point was considered the most effective rainfall. Secondly, multimodal or constant rainfall with a constant value of Ac > 3.5 mm/3 h and a peak value of Ap > 9.5 mm/3 h was deemed the most effective rainfall. Lastly, a temperature difference Tr during rainfall below 7.7 °C was indicative of mostly ineffective rainfall. The model demonstrated an accuracy of 96%, as validated by existing monitoring data in the nearby loess area. This model has been demonstrated to be superior to previous model and is currently suitable for application in loess regions of China.

Modelled effectiveness of NbS in reducing disaster risk: Evidence from the OPERANDUM project

The use of nature-based solutions (NbS) to address the risks posed by hydro-meteorological hazards have not yet become part of the mainstream policy response, and one of the main reasons cited for this, is the lack of evidence that they can effectively reduce disaster risk. This paper addresses this issue, by providing model-based evidence from five European case studies which demonstrate the effectiveness of five different NbS in reducing the magnitude of the hazard and thus risk, in present-day and possible future climates. In OAL-Austria, the hazard is a deep-seated landslide, and the NbS analysed is afforestation. Modelling results show that in today's climate and a landcover scenario of mature forest, a reduction in landslide velocity of 27.6 % could be achieved. In OAL-Germany, the hazard is river flooding and the NbS analysed is managed grazing with removal of woody vegetation. Modelling results show that the NbS could potentially reduce maximum flood water depth in the near-future (2031–2060) and far-future (2070–2099), by 0.036 m and 0.155 m, respectively. In OAL-Greece, the hazard is river flooding, and the NbS is upscaled natural storage reservoirs. Modelling results show that in a possible future climate the upscaled NbS show most potential in reducing the total flooded area by up to 1.26 km2. In OAL-Ireland, the hazard is surface and river flooding, and the NbS is green roofs. Results from a modelled upscaling analysis under two different climate scenarios show that both maximum flood water depth, and total flooded area were able to be reduced. In OAL-UK, the hazard is shallow landslides, and the NbS is high-density planting of two different tree species. Modelling results under two different climate scenarios show that both tree species were able to improve slope stability, and that this increased over time as the NbS matured. The significance of these results is discussed within the context of the performance of the NbS over time, to different magnitude events, impact with stakeholders in engendering wider support for the adoption of the NbS in the OALs, and the uncertainty in the modelling analyses.

Seismic and radon signatures: A multiparametric approach to monitor surface dynamics of a hazardous 2021 rock–ice avalanche, Chamoli Himalaya

AbstractThe observation of precursory signals of the 2021 Chamoli rock–ice avalanche provides an opportunity to investigate the multidisciplinary analysis approach of rock failure. On 7 February 2021, a huge rock–ice mass detached from the Raunthi peak at Chamoli district in Uttarakhand, India. The tragic catastrophe resulted in more than 200 deaths and significant economic losses. Here, we analyse radon concentration and seismic signals to characterise the potential precursory anomalies prior to the detachment. Continuous peaks of radon anomalies were observed from the afternoon of 5 to 7 February and decreased suddenly after the event, while a cumulative number of seismic tremors and amplitude variations are more intensified ~2.30 h before the main event, indicating a static to dynamic phase change within the weak zone. This study not only characterises abnormal signals but also models the rock failure mechanisms. The analysis unveils three time‐dependent nucleation phases, physical mechanisms of signal generation and a complete scenario of physical factors that affected the degree of criticality of slope failure. The results of this study suggest gradual progression of rock cracks/joints, subsequent material creep and slip advancement acceleration preceded the final failure. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of an early warning system to mitigate the impact of events like the 2021 Chamoli rock–ice avalanche.

Earthquake-induced paleo-landslides in the Tehran Region and its role in assessing the seismic hazard, Iran

In the central portion of the Arabia-Eurasia collision zone, the Tehran domain is positioned at a transitional boundary between seismotectonic zones of the Central Iranian lowland (to the south) and the Alborz highland (to the north). Consequently, numerous destructive seismic events have occurred in this active tectonic domain. This study delves into the tectonic geomorphology of the region within its northern highland domain, specifically focusing on the hanging wall of the E-striking north-dipping North Tehran fault (NTF) zone. Our findings in this northern domain emphasize several prominent topographic scars as significant co-seismic features. These include huge landslides, rockfalls, rock avalanches, and offset geomorphic surfaces and could be present as the main indirect co-seismic morphological features. Within this seismically active region, the extensive dimensions of these geomorphic pieces of evidence reveal the seismic potential of the Tehran Region to experience really strong earthquakes (i.e. M&gt;7.5). These results contrast with the previous Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) magnitude estimated for the Tehran Region (i.e. M~7.2) through different approaches in Seismic Hazard Assessments (SHAs). Consequently, the previous SHAs of the Tehran Region might have underestimated the seismic risk, and therefore, it is necessary to conduct an updated and complementary deterministic SHA based on the more detailed seismogenic geological features in this crucial area.

Disturbance range characterization and reinforcement design method of concealed bedding slope

The concealed bedding slopes exhibit sudden and extensive failure characteristics, harboring significant safety hazards. It is crucial to employ rapid and accurate methods to determine excavation disturbance ranges and reinforcement forces to prevent such slope disasters. This paper first analyzes the failure characteristics of slope excavation to reveal the mechanism of slope failure. Secondly, a novel method was proposed to calculate excavation disturbance ranges and solve for active reinforcement forces. Thirdly, the rationality of the method was validated through numerical simulation experiments. Finally, the method was applied to engineering. The results are as follows:(1) Excavation induces plastic shear failure of structural planes first, and the strength of the structural plane will be reduced, resulting in extrusion shear deformation of the rock mass at the foot of the slope under greater unidirectional load along the structural plane, forming a shear sliding surface. (2) From both strength and deformation perspectives, a method for calculating disturbance ranges in excavated slopes is proposed. This method determines key indicators for analyzing two disturbance range factors: ultimate height and disturbance thickness. The disturbance range is divided into shear plastic zones and traction sliding zones. (3) An active reinforcement design method is proposed considering the timing, scope, and force of reinforcement. The disturbance thickness is used to determine the reinforcement range, while the ultimate height is used to determine the timing of reinforcement. Active reinforcement forces are calculated based on the equilibrium of forces and deformation amounts. (4) A comparison with the Finite Element Method (FEM) shows that during excavation, the disturbance ranges and reinforcement forces calculated using this method are slightly larger than those obtained from the FEM. The calculations are fast, and as the excavation height approaches the limit slope height, the disturbance thickness and horizontal deformations closely match the FEM results, ensuring safety. It can provide monitoring, early warning and reinforcement guidance for bedding slope construction.

A40 Brecon bypass landslide: investigation, remediation and asset management for climate resilience

During February 2020, a 300 m 3 slope failure occurred within a trunk road earthwork at Brecon, Wales, leading to the initial closure of all four lanes of the dual carriageway. As part of Welsh Government's strategy for climate resilient infrastructure and in accordance with the CD622 Managing Geotechnical Risk framework, the site investigation commenced in 2020 and proceeded through various phases to the completion of remedial works in 2022. This paper discusses the approach to management of geotechnical risk for the scheme, from desk study through implementation of an on-slope ground investigation and interim risk mitigation, to design and implementation of the remedial measures. The paper describes the nature and trigger of the landslide case study, adaptations in the design phase to provide resilience to geohazards and future climatic conditions, the constraints that were overcome during the site works and measures taken to manage residual risk and ensure ease of maintenance. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Geo-resilience and infrastructure collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/geo-resilience-and-infrastructure

Mitigation of Soil Erosion and Enhancement of Slope Stability through the Utilization of Lignin Biopolymer.

Human activities have had a profound impact on the environment, particularly in relation to surface erosion and landslides. These processes, which are natural phenomena, have been exacerbated by human actions, leading to detrimental consequences for ecosystems, communities, and the overall health of the planet. The use of lignin (LIG) as a biopolymer soil additive material is regarded as an eco-friendly solution against soil erosion and slope failure which holds immense promise. However, significant research gaps currently hinder a comprehensive understanding of its mechanisms and effectiveness. Experimental studies offer a robust platform to address these gaps by providing controlled conditions for assessing soil stability, exploring mechanisms, and evaluating adaptability. Bridging these research gaps will contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable strategies for mitigating soil erosion and preventing slope failure, thereby promoting environmental resilience and resource conservation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the LIG biopolymer on mitigation of soil erosion, slope failure and the enhancement of soil strength by conducting laboratory tests (UU triaxial, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and soaking) as well as flume experiments under uniform rainfall events. The alterations in the engineering characteristics and erosion resistance of silty soil mixed with a LIG additive at concentrations of 1% and 3.0% by weight have been examined. The results show that the LIG-treated samples demonstrated an enhanced resistance to surface erosion and an enhanced prevention of slope failure, as well as improved shear stress, cohesion, stiffness, and resistance to water infiltration.

Assessing locations susceptible to shallow landslide initiation during prolonged intense rainfall in the Lares, Utuado, and Naranjito municipalities of Puerto Rico

Assessing locations susceptible to shallow landslide initiation during prolonged intense rainfall in the Lares, Utuado, and Naranjito municipalities of Puerto Rico

Seismic analysis of coastal slope stability considering strength nonlinearity and tension cut-off

Tensile stresses may lead to cracks forming at the crest of coastal slopes and subsequent slope failure, particularly under seismic load conditions. Traditional shear strength failure criteria often overestimate the tensile strength of geomaterials, and in turn the factor of safety against sliding. This paper presents an improved nonlinear analysis method for assessing the stability of slopes, while considering tension cut-off in the failure criterion as well as the detrimental effects of inertial seismic loading and pore water pressure. The method employs the principle of energy consumption to obtain solutions for the geometry of the potential sliding surface and stress distribution, while the critical slope height and the stability factor are determined by means of a particle swarm optimization algorithm. Comparison with existing methods is conducted to validate the effectiveness and accuracy of this method. Results showed that the tensile strength of geomaterials had a significant impact on the stability of the slope and its associated failure mechanism, particularly for the vertical slope. This study could avoid the assumptions of the dilatancy angle on the velocity discontinuity and critical slope sliding surface, and reflect the tensile and nonlinear characteristics of the geomaterials well.

Evaluation of the Impact of Climate Variability on the Soil-Water Characteristics Curve

The hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soil, particularly expansive soil, is influenced significantly by cyclic wetting and drying. Understanding the soil parameters is crucial when evaluating the performance of infrastructures constructed on expansive clay. As a result of extreme rainfall events, highway slopes containing highly expansive Yazoo clay in Mississippi, U.S., become vulnerable to volume change. The phenomenon creates perched water zones within the slopes and poses a risk of slope failure. The soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) defines the relationship between water content and soil suction, which can be obtained from different laboratory procedures. However, conventional laboratory methods have some limitations. To address this, various analytical and predictive models have been developed, but they can only offer estimates based on soil characteristics and lack seasonal variations occurring in field conditions. Studying seasonal SWCC through field measurements can help understand soil responses to changing moisture conditions. The current study utilized field data from six highway slopes in Mississippi and classified the data into different seasons: spring, summer, and fall. After obtaining van Genuchten parameters from the fitted curve for each season, the finite element method was applied to evaluate the parameters for accurate numerical analysis of infrastructures containing expansive clay. The study observed the variations in flow parameters with seasonal change that cannot be achieved when data from only one season is considered. The findings underscore the importance of field instrumentation data for developing SWCC and the significance of seasonal flow parameters in infrastructure design.

Geo-STEM learning ecosystems: A transdisciplinary theory-based framework to establish and engage communities in the geosciences

The geological sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (geo-STEM) have the capacity to investigate and address geological and environmental challenges. Many of these challenges (e.g., pollution, flooding, and slope failure) unjustly impact lower socio-economic communities in urban and rural settings where there is limited access to geo-STEM expertise. Geo-STEM learning ecosystems (GLEs) integrate geo-STEM and social science research paradigms to broaden civic engagement in the geosciences. GLEs are communities of practice consisting of geo-STEM professionals, educators, and learners who address local issues through place-based STEM research and education. The purpose of this study was to connect the concept of GLEs with the extant literature on learning ecosystems. We conducted a thematic review of the literature evaluating how the term “learning ecosystem” is used in psychology, educational technology, and STEM education research. We categorized the learning ecosystem components described in the literature in terms of inputs (e.g., motivation, software, learning environment), processes (e.g., cognition, device development, curriculum), and outputs (e.g., creativity, innovation, engagement). This approach revealed themes aligned with GLE-relevant research on communities of practice, and place-based and problem-based education, connecting GLEs to a century of existing research. To demonstrate how to use a GLE framework, we analyze the attributes of three existing programs through the GLE lens. Based on our findings, we recommend that to build GLEs geo-STEM researchers should: engage in transdisciplinary collaborations to develop local geo-STEM solutions, use the GLE framework to assess geoscience education and outreach programs, evaluate the role of place in efforts to engage diverse communities, and leverage other fields of inquiry to broaden our theoretical understanding of GLEs.

A holistic approach of remote sensing, GIS, and machine learning for shallow landslide susceptibility mapping in Gaganbawada region of Western Ghats, India

A holistic approach of remote sensing, GIS, and machine learning for shallow landslide susceptibility mapping in Gaganbawada region of Western Ghats, India

Cetin Dam – stabilising troubled abutment slopes

AbstractThe 420 MW Cetin Dam Project in Turkey was subject to severe setbacks, including substantial geotechnical problems. Since 2011, several concessionaires, contractors and designers were involved. In June 2016, a major failure occurred at a high cut slope of the right bank (RB) valley flank. In 2017, contractor Limak took over the project with a US$ 600 mio concession contract. To secure the contractual agreement for state‐guaranteed energy remuneration, Cetin Dam and hydro hydroelectric power plant (HEPP) had to be operative in 2020. Missing the time target would have implied high economic losses for the concessionaire, and this set‐in‐stone deadline imposed extraordinary pressure for developing fast and reliable solutions. Worryingly, progressing failure became evident at the failed RB cut slope, while rehabilitation works were ongoing. In late December 2017, shortly after a review of geotechnical conditions and slope design for the troubled RB slope had started, also parts of the left bank (LB) cut slope failed below crest level and threatened to grow into a global slope failure. With only 26 months’ time left for starting energy production, the slope instabilities jeopardised the economic success of the entire project. Within a 3‐month emergency mission for both RB and LB slopes, a dedicated team succeeded in understanding the geotechnical problems, planning and implementing immediate mitigation measures, and developing design solutions. Operation of Cetin Dam and HEPP commenced in 2020.

The effect of lateral thrust on the progressive slope failure under excavation and rainfall conditions

Large landslides can involve the multiple failures of regional slopes. To understand the effect of lateral thrust caused by the failure of one slope on its surroundings, the failures of two adjacent highway slopes in Guangdong Province, China, were investigated in detail. The interactive failure processes and landslide morphological characteristics of the two slopes were first analyzed based on the on-site investigation. Then, a plane mechanical model of a large-scale slope was established to evaluate the significant influence of the lateral thrust generated by the west slope acting on the east excavated slope. Furthermore, the extrusion effect of the west slope was modelled under the alternate excavation disturbance and rainfall by transferring the thrust forces onto the interface elements, and the induced failure mechanism and instability mode of the east slope under lateral thrust were reproduced numerically. The results show that the compression-shear failure occurred at the middle and rear slope bodies because of the lateral thrust, which led to the formation of a thrust landslide and the final instability of the east slope.

A Hydrodynamic‐Based Physical Unified Modeling for Simulating Shallow Landslide Local Failures, Mass Release and Debris Flow Run‐Out Extent Behavior

AbstractAccurate prediction of shallow landslide occurrence and the subsequent motion range after transformation into debris flows is crucial for reducing disaster‐induced losses. The use of Cellular Automata‐based (CA) hydrodynamic models has seen increasing application in predicting landslides, debris flows, and other related hazards. However, previous CA‐based models have primarily focused on the motion and evolution process of debris flows, lacking detailed description about the dynamic instability associated with shallow landslides. In this study, we propose a comprehensive CA‐based model that is based on existing theories and improved models for simulating hydrological processes, sliding surface identification algorithms, threshold‐based mechanical interactions, material entrainment, and deposition. The model was applied to the Yindongzi (YDZ) landslides in Sichuan, China. The accuracy of the model was validated through comparisons with field investigation results and calculations based on shallow water equations. This model enables efficient and rapid prediction of shallow landslide occurrence time, volume, spatial distribution, and runout distance. Evaluation of the model’s predictive performance reveals an error range of −23.12% to +44.26% for YDZ landslides. Moreover, the influence of different shallow landslide failure patterns on the deposition and erosion of debris flows was analyzed. The results indicate that the failure patterns of shallow landslides significantly affect the deposition and entrainment capacity of debris flows. This study provides a novel approach for predicting the occurrence of shallow landslides and the subsequent motion, entrainment, and deposition after transformation into debris flows.

Enhancing Soil Resilience to Climatic Wetting‐Drying Cycles Through a Bio‐Mediated Approach

AbstractClimatic wetting‐drying cycles exacerbated by climate change can trigger several weakening mechanisms in surface soils, potentially leading to instability and failure of slopes and earthen structures. This study proposes a bio‐mediated approach based on microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) to increase soil resilience to wetting‐drying cycles. To explore its viability and the underlying mechanisms, we conducted a series of laboratory tests on clayey soil that underwent six wetting‐drying cycles. The tests were conducted with different treatment methods to investigate the effect of treatment sequence and cementation solution concentration. After MICP treatment, the initial evaporation rate, surface crack ratio during drying, and total soil weight loss during rainfall erosion were reduced by up to 32%, 85%, and 90%, respectively. Spraying the cementation solution first in the MICP treatment sequence proves more effective in improving soil water retention capacity. On the other hand, initiating the sequence with the bacterial solution demonstrates a more pronounced effect in reducing soil desiccation cracks and erosion. Microstructure analysis reveals that the content and distribution of CaCO3 precipitation are the major factors controlling the effectiveness of MICP for the cementation of clayey soil. Employing MICP can minimize the carbon footprint and contribute to developing environmentally friendly solutions for soil improvement in regions affected by climatic wetting‐drying cycles.

Mechanically Controlled Landslide Deformation

AbstractMany landslide models assume a fully deformable body without any resistance against deformation. However, in reality, landslide bodies can display negligible to large deformation during motion. Examples for limited deformation include the prehistoric giant landslides of Flims and Köfels, or the Vajont landslide of 1963, where the structure of rock largely remained intact and the slides did not evolve into rock avalanches. Here, we propose a novel mechanical model for the controlled deformation of landslides. The model is based on the principle of material strength or resistance and includes a user‐specified function that reflects the mechanisms (internal friction, cohesion, viscosity, and yield strength) that act against the deformation induced by the free‐surface or the hydraulic pressure gradient of the landslide. This controls the landslide deformation and, in turn, also the motion and run‐out, and offers a unique possibility to describe the landslide motion ranging from a fully non‐deformable body sliding along the mountain slope to a completely fluidized motion without any resistance against the force associated with the free‐surface pressure gradient. The latter is the situation often considered for the motion of granular flows such as avalanches of snow or rock, or debris flows. The former can play a substantial role in the dynamics, however, has not yet been considered in mass flow simulations, severely limiting the applicability of those models. We demonstrate the performance of the new model and its applicability, also with the advanced open‐source computational mass flow simulation tool r.avaflow.