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Dynamics of Geohazards
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Dynamics of Geohazards

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 1752

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yu Zhuang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, China
Interests: avalanches; ice-rock collapses and their disaster chain causative effects; high-altitude remote landslides and debris flows caused by dynamic forces; landslide dynamics analysis and risk assessment based on multi-source data collaboration; triggering mechanism of typhoon and rainstorm-induced landslides

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Geohazards such as landslides, debris flows, snow avalanches, rock–ice avalanches, and related cascading processes represent some of the most destructive natural phenomena in mountainous regions. Their dynamics involve highly complex, multi-phase interactions between solid particles, fluids, and the atmosphere, governed by nonlinear physics and strongly influenced by external triggers such as rainfall, earthquakes, glacier retreat, and permafrost thaw. Understanding these processes is crucial for risk reduction, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable development in hazard-prone environments.

This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research on the mechanics, modeling, monitoring, and mitigation of dynamic geohazards. We welcome studies that advance theoretical frameworks, numerical simulations, laboratory experiments, and field observations, as well as interdisciplinary approaches linking geotechnical engineering, hydrology, climatology, and remote sensing. By deepening our knowledge of the dynamics of geohazards, this collection seeks to provide a scientific basis for early warning systems, hazard mapping, and integrated disaster risk management under current and future climate change scenarios.

Dr. Yu Zhuang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • geohazards
  • landslides
  • debris flows
  • snow avalanches
  • rock-ice avalanches
  • key hazard dynamics
  • multi-phase flow modeling
  • field monitoring and experiments
  • remote sensing and numerical simulation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 9231 KB  
Article
Quantitative Risk Assessment of Buildings and Infrastructures: A Natural Hazard Perspective Under Extreme Rainfall Scenarios
by Guangming Li, Zizheng Guo, Haojie Wang, Zhanxu Guo, Lejun Zhao, Rujiao Tan and Yuhua Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 2522; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16052522 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 512
Abstract
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climate events have posed more geohazards worldwide. It is therefore crucial to quantify and map risk to reduce disaster-related losses. The main objective of this study is to propose a quantitative framework to conduct risk assessment [...] Read more.
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climate events have posed more geohazards worldwide. It is therefore crucial to quantify and map risk to reduce disaster-related losses. The main objective of this study is to propose a quantitative framework to conduct risk assessment of buildings and infrastructures impacted by geohazards. A debris flow hazard in Tianjin, North China was taken as a case study. A physically based model and the Gumbel extreme value distribution were utilized to construct a range of extreme rainfall and runoff scenarios. The FLO-2D and ABAQUS software were subsequently employed to simulate the surging behavior of the debris flow and assess the structural vulnerability of buildings, respectively. Furthermore, the number of elements at risk and economic values were estimated to generate risk maps. The results revealed that variations in peak discharge in the channel evidently affected flow velocity and depth, thus elevating the debris flow intensity and the likelihood of the materials threatening buildings. The stiffness degradation of concrete was strategically used as the indicator to quantify structure vulnerability and effectively present the dynamic responses under the impacts of the debris flow. Under a 100-year return period rainfall scenario, the proportion of very high- and high-risk areas reached 31%, with the estimated economic loss approximately ¥167.7 million. This highlighted the critical role that extreme rainfall played in shaping both the spatial distribution and severity of debris flow risks. The proposed method provides a scientific basis for enhancing the resilience of mountainous regions to compound natural disasters exacerbated by climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics of Geohazards)
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20 pages, 9856 KB  
Article
Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of the Slumping-Disintegrated Evolution Process of a Tower-Column Unstable Rock Mass: A Case Study of the Large-Scale Collapse of Zengziyan in Jinfo Mountain
by Fuchuan Zhou, Xinrong Liu, Dandan Zuo, Hongmei Tang, Yuntao Zhou and Xueyan Guo
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 2282; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16052282 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 342
Abstract
Studying the slumping disintegration, movement speed, impact intensity, accumulation characteristics, and energy conversion laws of tower-column unstable rock masses (TCURM) is crucial for high-altitude rockfall hazard risk evaluation. Existing PFC-based rockfall simulations rarely target the unique “top-hard-bottom-weak” structural characteristics of TCURM and lack [...] Read more.
Studying the slumping disintegration, movement speed, impact intensity, accumulation characteristics, and energy conversion laws of tower-column unstable rock masses (TCURM) is crucial for high-altitude rockfall hazard risk evaluation. Existing PFC-based rockfall simulations rarely target the unique “top-hard-bottom-weak” structural characteristics of TCURM and lack in-depth integration of on-site monitoring videos to verify dynamic evolution processes. Taking the large-scale collapse of W12# unstable rock mass at Zengziyan, Jinfo Mountain in Chongqing as an example, a combination method of orthogonal test and PFC3D discrete element simulation is used. Mesoscopic parameters are calibrated via comparison with on-site video and investigation data, accurately reproducing the entire slumping disintegration process and revealing its dynamic characteristics. Results confirm the simulation is basically consistent with field data, verifying the model and parameter rationality. The total duration from instability to stagnation is 121 s (15 s to impact the secondary steep cliff base, 106 s for debris accumulation). Movement speed time-histories of deteriorated and non-deteriorated zones are generally consistent, both exhibiting a “double-peak” feature. Rockfall impact force first increases, stabilizes in the middle, and declines to stability afterward, with a maximum of 2.1 × 109 N. The kinetic energy curve also shows a “double-peak” distribution, closely related to the on-site two-level steep cliff morphology. The findings provide important references for analyzing the dynamic evolution of such rockfalls and designing disaster prevention/mitigation engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics of Geohazards)
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17 pages, 6463 KB  
Article
The Analysis on the Applicability of Speed Calculation Methods for Avalanche Events in the G219 Wenquan–Horgos Highway
by Jie Liu, Pengwei Zan, Senmu Yao, Bin Wang and Xiaowen Qiang
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020719 - 9 Jan 2026
Viewed by 536
Abstract
The avalanche speed is an important indicator for measuring the intensity of avalanches, and its measurement method is relatively complex. In practical engineering, empirical formulas based on statistics are usually adopted. However, research on the applicability of existing calculation methods in different regions [...] Read more.
The avalanche speed is an important indicator for measuring the intensity of avalanches, and its measurement method is relatively complex. In practical engineering, empirical formulas based on statistics are usually adopted. However, research on the applicability of existing calculation methods in different regions is still insufficient, and further verification and improvement are urgently needed. Based on the integrated space–air–ground field survey data, this study uses RAMMS::AVALANCHE to conduct dynamic numerical simulations of 78 avalanche events in the Qiet’ akesu Gully of the Wenquan to Horgos transportation corridor in the Western Tianshan Mountains during the winter of 2023–2024, analyses the avalanche movement process, and compares the calculation results of the numerical tests of avalanche movement speed with empirical formulas. The results indicate that the velocities calculated using Formula A and Formula B are generally overestimated, approaching approximately 1.5 times the reference value. The mean absolute percentage error of Formula A (19.46%) is lower than that of Formula B (48.27%). In contrast, Formula C exhibits a significantly lower mean absolute percentage error (8.42%) compared with the other two methods, and its results remain stably around one-half of the reference value. Based on these findings, a comprehensive estimation strategy is proposed: twice the value calculated by Formula C is adopted as the primary reference, while two-thirds of the value from Formula A is taken into consideration, and the larger of the two is selected as the final estimated velocity. This strategy ensures the robustness of the results while effectively avoiding the potential overestimation or underestimation associated with reliance on a single empirical formula. This study provides a scientific basis for highway route selection and the placement of avalanche mitigation measures in high-altitude mountainous areas, and offers technical support for the construction and operational safety of infrastructure along the G219 Wenquan–Horgos transportation corridor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics of Geohazards)
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