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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Hazards and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 December 2024) | Viewed by 8986

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Danqing Song

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Interests: disaster-causing mechanism; prevention and control technology of underground engineering under hydrodynamic coupling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Zhuo Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Civil Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
Interests: landslides; rock avalanches; debris flows; debris floods; climate change; remote sensing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Geologic hazards such as landslides, rockfalls, debris flows, and earthquakes have presented many engineering geology and geotechnical challenges in the design, building, and maintenance of mountainous infrastructures in recent decades. As a result, the investigations of geologic hazards have gained much attention in the geosciences field, due to their likelihood of causing human casualties and severe economic damage. The activity of geologic hazards and the rough terrain may limit or preclude the collection of geological data necessary to characterize geologic hazards when traditional survey methods are employed. The study of geologic hazards has advanced significantly as a result of the rapid development of remote sensing and GIS technologies. Multi-sensor, multi-platform, and multi-temporal datasets and techniques can improve the quality and quantity of remotely sensed data, allowing us to better understand the behavior and geomorphic evolution of geologic hazards. However, it has been challenging to successfully develop effective early identification and warning systems for geological hazards. Therefore, carrying out a risk assessment and stability analysis for geologic hazards has important theoretical significance and application value, contributing to the establishment of an early warning system and implementing control measures for geologic hazards. This Special Issue aims to showcase the advances in the application of state-of-the-art remote sensing techniques, numerical modeling approaches, and their combination for the characterization, monitoring, simulation, and risk assessment of geologic hazards in different environments. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

Spatiotemporal analysis of geologic hazards;
Field investigations, descriptions, and formation mechanism analysis of geologic hazards;
Applications of state-of-the-art remote sensing techniques in geologic hazards;
Risk assessment methods for geologic hazards on a regional scale;
Applications of advanced Earth observation technologies in geologic hazards;
In-depth controlling factor analysis of geologic hazards;
Construction of early warning system and reinforcement measures for geologic hazards;
New techniques and materials for disaster risk reduction.

Prof. Dr. Danqing Song
Dr. Zhuo Chen
Guest Editors

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Keywords

remote sensing
geologic hazards
early identification
monitoring
stability analysis
risk assessment
warning technology
disaster mitigation

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 13909 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stress Characteristics and Rock Burst Prediction of the Xuefeng Mountain No.1 Tunnel: On-Site and Numerical Investigations

by Guo Xiang, Xiaohua Zhang, Shengnian Wang, Sanyou Wu, Xinming Pan and Dehui Xu

Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 10904; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410904 (registering DOI) - 12 Dec 2024

Viewed by 775

Abstract

The risk level and disaster scale of rock bursts in deeply buried and highly stressed tunnels are commonly high, posing serious threats to their construction safety. This study employed a combination of on-site measurements and discrete-continuous coupled numerical simulations to analyze the geo-stress distribution characteristics of surrounding rock masses in the Xuefeng Mountain No.1 Tunnel. The evolution processes of rock burst failure in surrounding rock masses with different lithologies and buried at different depths were discussed. The risk of rock bursts along this long tunnel was predicted using the stress–strength ratio criterion and the energy method. The results showed that the principal stress values of surrounding rock masses in the Xuefeng Mountain No.1 Tunnel followed a distribution pattern of σ_x > σ_y > σ_z (where x, y, and z denoted the directions of tunnel cross-section and tunnel axis and the direction perpendicular to the ground), with average stress levels exceeding 20 MPa. It should be a typical tunnel dominated by horizontal tectonic stress. Stress concentration and elastic strain energy accumulation zones in this tunnel were mainly located at the bottom, and the largest displacements always occurred at the inverted arch. The main characteristics of rock burst failure in this tunnel included the sheet-like splitting of rock mass layers and the ejection of rock blocks. The risk evaluation of rock bursts across different sections of the tunnel, considering various rock types and buried depths, presented that these deeply buried slate and granite exhibited the highest risk level when assessed using the elastic strain energy index criterion. The comparative analysis between the elastic strain energy method and the stress–strength ratio criterion showed that the evaluation results obtained by the latter were more conservative. The findings of this study can provide a valuable reference for cognizing the geo-stress characteristics and predicting rock bursts in the surrounding rock masses of deep-buried and highly stressed tunnels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing in Geologic Hazards and Risk Assessment)

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31 pages, 20961 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Assessment of Debris Flow Disasters Triggered by an Outburst of Huokou Lake in Antu County Based on an Information Quantity and Random Forest Approach

by Qiuling Lang, Peng Liu, Yichen Zhang, Jiquan Zhang and Jintao Huang

Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9545; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219545 - 1 Nov 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1146

Abstract

Debris flow disasters frequently occur and pose considerable hazards; thus, it is essential to thoroughly evaluate their risks. This study constructs a database comprising 20 assessment indicators, utilizing comprehensive natural disaster risk assessment theory and incorporating the triggering factors of Huokou Lake in the Changbaishan Mountains. This research employs a hybrid ANP-CRITIC methodology to allocate weights to the assessment indicators efficiently. For hazard assessment, this research utilizes both the Information Quantity and Random Forest models for comparative analysis. The ROC curve was employed to validate the outcomes, ultimately favoring the Random Forest model due to its superior accuracy in assessing debris flow hazards. In this study, the risk of debris flow disasters in Antu County is comparatively assessed under scenarios with and without an outburst event. The findings indicate that areas of high and very high risk are predominantly located within the central regions of economically prosperous and densely populated townships. Additionally, the risk in Erdao Baihe Township escalates significantly when considering the outburst of Huokou Lake. The significance of this study lies in its ability to furnish a robust scientific basis for decision-makers aimed at preventing future debris flow disasters. Furthermore, it serves as a crucial reference for advancing sustainable regional development and facilitates the equilibrium between economic growth and environmental protection within disaster management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing in Geologic Hazards and Risk Assessment)

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24 pages, 31641 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Remote Sensing Identification and Information Extraction Method of Glacial Debris Flow Based on Texture Variation Characteristics

by Jun Fang, Yongshun Han, Tongsheng Li, Zhiquan Yang, Luguang Luo, Dongge Cui, Liangjing Chen and Zhuoting Qiu

Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9405; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219405 - 29 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1165

Abstract

The formation mechanism of glacial debris flows in alpine gorge mountain areas is complex, with varying characteristics across different regions. Due to the influence of mountain shadows and the accumulation and ablation of ice and snow, accurately identifying and rapidly extracting glacial debris flows using optical images remains challenging. This study utilizes the Random Forest method to develop a multi-feature spatiotemporal information extraction model based on Landsat-8 images and a glacial debris flow gully identification model. These models were applied to the Songzong–Tongmai section of the Sichuan–Tibet Highway to identify glacial debris flows. The results showed that (1) the multi-feature spatiotemporal extraction model effectively eliminated the interference of mountain shadows and ice–snow phase changes, resulting in a higher accuracy for identifying and extracting glacial debris flows in areas with significant information loss due to deep shadows. The total accuracy was 93.6%, which was 8.9% and 4.2% higher than that of the Neural Network and Support Vector Machine methods, respectively. (2) The accuracy of the glacial debris flow gully identification model achieved 92.6%. The proposed method can accurately and rapidly identify glacial debris flows in alpine gorge mountain areas, facilitating remote sensing dynamic monitoring. This approach reduces the damage caused by debris flows to both transportation and the environment, ensuring the safe passage of highways and promoting the sustainable development of the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing in Geologic Hazards and Risk Assessment)

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29 pages, 15350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Tests on Failure Characteristics and Mechanisms of Mine Waste Dumps with Different Material Layouts

by Hui Ding, Shuwei Sun, Qianhui Li, Jiabing Hu, Runjie Gong and Boyu Zhang

Sustainability 2024, 16(18), 7977; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16187977 - 12 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1142

Abstract

Numerous landslides occur in waste dumps due to unscientific placement. The behavior of waste dumps with different material layouts has yet to be understood when it comes to deformation and failure. In this research, several tests of base friction were carried out on mine waste dumps by considering various material layouts under self-weight loading conditions. The waste dump’s displacement was detected by the system composed with image-capture equipment. The findings indicate that the layout of waste materials greatly affected the way a waste dump fails and could be categorized into three types: crest-arced slip, bottom-arced slip, and composite overall slip. Sliding failure caused a gradual development of the slip surface from the dominant fine-gravel material stage to the adjacent waste dump stage. Three phases can be assigned to the waste dump’s failure process: the constant deformation phase, strain localization phase, and failed phase. The layout of waste materials exerts a significant influence on the moment that the waste dump’s deformation enters the three phases. The waste dump’s failure mechanism was explained by describing how maximum shear and volumetric strain developed and transmitted. To determine the most dominant impact during the tests by analyzing the relative degree of volumetric and shear influences on the waste dump, an effect coefficient was proposed. The stability of the waste dump was illustrated and comparatively analyzed based on a simplified approach, in which the moments of initial cracking and local failure were used as a failure index for the model tests. The design and stability analysis of mine waste dumps is strengthened by this study’s strong support, thereby minimizing the risk of landslides and promoting the sustainability of the mining industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing in Geologic Hazards and Risk Assessment)

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26 pages, 10738 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Balancing Submarine Landslides and the Marine Economy for Sustainable Development: A Review and Future Prospects

by Zuer Li and Qihang Li

Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6490; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156490 - 29 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2260

Abstract

To proactively respond to the national fourteenth Five-Year Plan policy, we will adhere to a comprehensive land and sea planning approach, working together to promote marine ecological protection, optimize geological space, and integrate the marine economy. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the sustainable development of marine geological hazards (MGHs), with a particular focus on submarine landslides, the marine environment, as well as the marine economy. First, the novelty of this study lies in its review and summary of the temporal and spatial distribution, systematic classification, inducible factors, and realistic characteristics of submarine landslides to enrich the theoretical concept. Moreover, the costs, risks, and impacts on the marine environment and economy of submarine engineering activities such as oil and gas fields, as well as metal ores, were systematically discussed. Combined with the current marine policy, an analysis was conducted on the environmental pollution and economic losses caused by submarine landslides. Herein, the key finding is that China and Mexico are viable candidates for the future large-scale offshore exploitation of oil, gas, nickel, cobalt, cuprum, manganese, and other mineral resources. Compared to land-based mining, deep-sea mining offers superior economic and environmental advantages. Finally, it is suggested that physical model tests and numerical simulation techniques are effective means for investigating the triggering mechanism of submarine landslides, their evolutionary movement process, and the impact on the submarine infrastructure. In the future, the establishment of a multi-level and multi-dimensional monitoring chain for submarine landslide disasters, as well as joint risk assessment, prediction, and early warning systems, can effectively mitigate the occurrence of submarine landslide disasters and promote the sustainable development of the marine environment and economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing in Geologic Hazards and Risk Assessment)

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12 pages, 3103 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intelligent Early Warning and Decision Platform for Long-Term Ground Subsidence in High-Density Areas for Sustainable Urban Development

by Baoping Zou, Kejian Xia, Yansheng Deng, Jundong Mu, Siqi Cheng and Chun Zhu

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2679; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072679 - 25 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1054

Abstract

Long-term ground subsidence (LTGS) is a relatively slow process. However, the accumulation of long-term subsidence has an adverse impact on the normal operation and safety of a subway, hindering sustainable urban development. A wide gap exists between early warning theory and its application in the control of LTGS during subway operation due to time span limitation. Providing decision support for LTGS in high-density urban areas during subway operation is difficult, and a collaborative decision system for real-time early warning and intelligent control is currently lacking. This study establishes the functional components of an intelligent early warning and decision platform, proposes a software system module, constructs an overall software framework structure, and develops a mobile intelligent early warning and decision platform. Moreover, this study introduces an early warning method for LTGS in high-density urban areas during subway operation. This method integrates an intelligent early warning decision-making platform, namely Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (DInSAR), land subsidence monitoring, operation tunnel subsidence monitoring, and other multisource data coupling. The method is applied to sections of the Hangzhou Metro Line 4 Phase I Project (Chengxing Road Station (CRS)–Civic Center Station (CCS)–Jiangjin Road Station (JRS) and Xinfeng Station (XS)–East Railway Station (ERS)–Pengbu Station (PS)). This work can serve as a reference for ensuring urban safety and promoting sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing in Geologic Hazards and Risk Assessment)

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