Distribution and Characteristics of Damming Landslides Triggered by 1920 M~8 Haiyuan Earthquake, NW China

Earthquake-triggered damming landslides threaten downstream residents and affect the regional landscape by disrupting water and sediment fluxes. Therefore, it is essential to study the distribution characteristics and distinctive controlling factors of earthquake-triggered damming landslides to provide a reference for treating landslide dams caused by damming landslides. This study uses the 1920 M~8 Haiyuan earthquake-triggered landslides as an example to study the characteristics and topographic effects of damming landslides in the Loess Plateau in Northwestern China. A detailed Haiyuan-earthquake-triggered damming landslide inventory was established. The statistics of terrain, geology, seismic factors, and information gain rankings were used to quantify the significance of the controlling factors. The aspect ratio, equivalent coefficient of friction, area, and slope position was calculated. Damming landslides’ distinctive geomorphic and morphological characteristics were summarized through comparisons with non-damming landslides. The results showed that damming landslides were concentrated in areas with thick loess sediment, low relief, and close proximity to a river. Loess thickness was the most critical control factor among them. Damming landslides have the geomorphological characteristics of a large ratio of length to width (L/W), a low ratio of height to length (H/L), large scales, and entire-slope failure. Moreover, damming landslides can transform the topography of the Loess Plateau through their long-term effects. These findings highlight the characteristics of damming landslides in the Loess Plateau and supplement the global landslide dam inventory. They provide a reference for assisting in earthquake-triggered damming landslides treatments in the Loess Plateau.