Preventing Geological Disasters in Loess Regions: Lessons Learned and Future Directions from Gansu and Similar Environments

Authors

  • Yucheng Wang

    Gansu Zhiguang Geological Engineering Survey and Design Co., Ltd., Lanzhou City 730000, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v8i6.13371
Received: 10 February 2026 | Revised: 26 April 2026 | Accepted: 11 May 2026 | Published Online: 18 June 2026

Abstract

Loess areas represent the most susceptible geomorphological settings for geological disasters, thanks to distinctive soil properties, elevated porosity, and high water permeability. The study provides an updated overview of the mechanisms, features, and mitigation approaches for geological hazards in loess regions, using Gansu Province as a case study and comparing it with other loess regions worldwide. This research explores the geomorphological and environmental characteristics of loess, with an emphasis on the role of hydro-mechanical stress in landslides, debris flows, and collapses. This review, through the synthesis of case studies and literature, reveals the primary role of water in controlling various types of hazards, and also highlights the influence of human factors such as irrigation, urbanization, and slope alterations. Existing prevention and mitigation measures, such as monitoring, engineering, ecology, and policy-making, are assessed, showing gaps in their piecemeal implementation and long-term sustainability. This review is unique in its multi-scale and multi-disciplinary approach, which connects soil micromorphology, landscape dynamics, and socio-environmental interactions. It suggests future work in areas including the use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and multi-source observation, as well as the development of climate-resilient, adaptive management strategies. This research promotes an integrated strategy of technological, ecological, and social adaptation to improve resilience in loess regions.

Keywords:

Loess Regions; Geological Hazards; Landslide Mechanisms; Disaster Prevention; Hydro-Mechanical Processes

References

[1] Li, Y., Zhao, J., Li, B., 2017. Loess and Loess Geohazards in China. CRC Press: London, UK.

[2] Crouvi, O., Sun, J., Rousseau, D.-D., et al., 2025. Loess records. In Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands. pp. 505–528.

[3] Juang, C.H., Dijkstra, T., Wasowski, J., et al., 2019. Loess geohazards research in China: Advances and challenges for mega engineering projects. Engineering geology. 251, 1–10.

[4] He, P., Guo, Z., Chen, H., et al., 2023. Research and Application of Early Identification of Geological Hazards Technology in Railway Disaster Prevention and Control: A Case Study of Southeastern Gansu, China. Sustainability. 15(24), 16705.

[5] Du, Y., Lyu, M., Xie, M., et al., 2025. Recent Progress in and Future Perspectives on the Monitoring, Assessment, and Mitigation of Geological Disasters. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information. 14(8), 310.

[6] Li, Y., Shi, W., Aydin, A., et al., 2020. Loess genesis and worldwide distribution. Earth-Science Reviews. 201, 102947.

[7] Haase, D., Fink, J., Haase, G., et al., 2007. Loess in Europe—Its spatial distribution based on a European Loess Map, scale 1 : 2,500,000. Quaternary Science Reviews. 26(9–10), 1301–1312.

[8] Hu, G., Zhao, C., Chen, N., et al., 2019. Characteristics, mechanisms and prevention modes of debris flows in an arid seismically active region along the Sichuan–Tibet railway route, China: A case study of the Basu–Ranwu section, southeastern Tibet. Environmental Earth Sciences. 78(18), 564.

[9] Wang, J., Fang, F., Wang, J., et al., 2024. Evolutionary characteristics and influencing factors of wheat production risk in Gansu Province of China under the background of climate change. Theoretical and Applied Climatology. 155(6), 5389–5415.

[10] Wang, Y., Zhang, Q., Wang, S.-P., et al., 2017. Characteristics of agro-meteorological disasters and their risk in Gansu Province against the background of climate change. Natural Hazards. 89(2), 899–921.

[11] Wu, W.J., Su, X., Meng, X.M., 2014. Characteristics and origin of loess landslides on loess terraces at Heifangtai, Gansu Province, China. Applied Mechanics and Materials. 694, 455–461.

[12] Liu, Y., Zhou, J., Li, Z., et al., 2026. Emergency investigation and failure mechanism analysis of the 2025 Junlian landslide based on interferometric synthetic aperture radar and terrestrial laser scanning. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. In Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2026.02.009

[13] Wei, L., Zeng, Z., Yan, J., 2024. Factors affecting the stability of loess landslides: A review. Applied Sciences. 14(7), 2735.

[14] Xu, Q., Zhao, B., Dai, K., et al., 2023. Remote sensing for landslide investigations: A progress report from China. Engineering Geology. 321, 107156.

[15] Shafapourtehrany, M., Batur, M., Özener, H., et al., 2026. Conventional and advanced geospatial techniques for landslide detection and modeling: A comprehensive overview. Geoenvironmental Disasters. 13(1), 3.

[16] Zhu, Y., Qiu, H., Liu, Z., et al., 2021. Detecting Long-Term Deformation of a Loess Landslide from the Phase and Amplitude of Satellite SAR Images: A Retrospective Analysis for the Closure of a Tunnel Event. Remote Sensing. 13(23), 4841.

[17] Derbyshire, E., 2001. Geological hazards in loess terrain, with particular reference to the loess regions of China. Earth-Science Reviews. 54(1–3), 231–260.

[18] Wang, X., Zhang, C., Wang, C., et al., 2021. GIS-based for prediction and prevention of environmental geological disaster susceptibility: From a perspective of sustainable development. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 226, 112881.

[19] Peng, J., Sun, P., Igwe, O., et al., 2018. Loess caves, a special kind of geo-hazard on loess plateau, northwestern China. Engineering Geology. 236, 79–88.

[20] Chen, Y., Li, P., Wang, Y., et al., 2024. Unraveling the Mystery of Water-Induced Loess Disintegration: A Comprehensive Review of Experimental Research. Sustainability. 16(6), 2463.

[21] Liu, X., Shao, S., Shao, S., et al., 2025. Prioritizing landslide risk areas in the Loess Plateau of China: A multi-level hazard intensity classification framework. Advances in Space Research. 76(8), 4076–4091.

[22] Wright, J., Smith, B., Whalley, B., 1998. Mechanisms of loess-sized quartz silt production and their relative effectiveness: Laboratory simulations. Geomorphology. 23(1), 15–34.

[23] Dave, A.K., 2022. Understanding Quaternary Aeolian Landscape-Climate Interaction in the Piedmonts of Central Asia Using Luminescence and Electron Spin Resonance Techniques. Universitätsbibliothek der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz: Mainz, Germany.

[24] Bengloan, L., 2025. Detailed Luminescence Dating of Late Quaternary Loess at Belcroute, Jersey, Channel Islands [Master's Thesis]. Uppsala University: Uppsala, Sweden.

[25] Gao, X., Hao, Q., Ge, J., et al., 2021. Paleowind directions from the magnetic fabric of loess deposits in the western Chinese Loess Plateau and implications for dust provenance. Quaternary Research. 103, 74–87.

[26] Wang, X., Vandenberghe, J., Lu, H., et al., 2017. Climatic and tectonic controls on the fluvial morphology of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau (China). Journal of Geographical Sciences. 27(11), 1325–1340.

[27] Liang, M., Wang, Z., Zhou, S., et al., 2014. The provenance of Gansu Group in Longxi region and implications for tectonics and paleoclimate. Science China Earth Sciences. 57(6), 1221–1228.

[28] Sadeghi, H., Kiani, M., Sadeghi, M., et al., 2019. Geotechnical characterization and collapsibility of a natural dispersive loess. Engineering geology. 250, 89–100.

[29] Lv, Y., Zhang, C., Zhao, J., 2023. Collapsibility mechanisms and water diffusion morphologies of loess in Weibei area. Sustainability. 15(11), 8573.

[30] Wang, L., Qin, B., Li, X., et al., 2025. Transient hydromechanical response of loess during wetting process: Numerical simulation and field test verification. Engineering Geology. 359, 108439.

[31] Xue, Y., Zhang, X., Li, S., et al., 2019. Sensitivity analysis of loess stability to physical and mechanical properties: Assessment model. International Journal of Geomechanics. 19(7), 06019012.

[32] Ali, A., Zhang, N., Santos, R.M., 2023. Mineral characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM): A review of the fundamentals, advancements, and research directions. Applied Sciences. 13(23), 12600.

[33] Pham, T.A., Vanapalli, S.K., Unified Thermal-Hydro-Mechanical Framework for Stability Analyses of Climate-Resilient Slopes. Preprint. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5650379

[34] Bračko, T., Žlender, B., 2026. A Climate–Geomechanics Interface for Adaptive and Resilient Geostructures. Climate. 14(1), 23.

[35] Gu, T., Zhang, M., Wang, J., et al., 2019. The effect of irrigation on slope stability in the Heifangtai Platform, Gansu Province, China. Engineering geology. 248, 346–356.

[36] Gao, X., 2017. Urban development with the constraint of water resources: A case study of Gansu section of western longhai-lanxin economic zone. In: Glavan, M. (Ed.). Water Challenges of an Urbanizing World. IntechOpen: London, UK.

[37] Wang, Q., Shi, J., Chen, G., et al., 2002. Environmental effects induced by human activities in arid Shiyang River basin, Gansu province, northwest China. Environmental Geology. 43(1), 219–227.

[38] Song, S., Wang, S., Li, X., et al., 2025. An investigation into the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of fortresses in Tianshui, Gansu Province, China. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 12(1), 1337.

[39] Wei, H., Xiong, L., Zhao, F., et al., 2022. Large-scale spatial variability in loess landforms and their evolution, Luohe River Basin, Chinese Loess Plateau. Geomorphology. 415, 108407.

[40] Wang, H., Sun, P., Zhang, S., et al., 2020. Rainfall-induced landslide in loess area, Northwest China: A case study of the Changhe landslide on September 14, 2019, in Gansu Province. Landslides. 17(9), 2145–2160.

[41] Guo, C., Cao, J., Liu, J., et al., 2025. Deformation mechanism of large deep loess-mudstone landslide under the coupling effect of loess collapsibility and earthquakes: A case study of the Yangpo landslide in Min County, Gansu province, China. Natural Hazards. 121(15), 18227–18248.

[42] Xu, X.-Z., Guo, W.-Z., Liu, Y.-K., et al., 2017. Landslides on the Loess Plateau of China: A latest statistics together with a close look. Natural Hazards. 86(3), 1393–1403.

[43] Qu, L., Li, Y., Chen, Z., et al., 2022. Exploring the spatiotemporal variation characteristics and influencing factors of gully agricultural production transformation in the Chinese Loess Plateau: A case study of loess hilly and gully region in Yan'an City. Land Use Policy. 123, 106369.

[44] Zhu, B., Zhou, Z., Li, Z., 2021. Soil erosion and controls in the slope-gully system of the Loess Plateau of China: A review. Frontiers in Environmental Science. 9, 657030.

[45] Belayneh, L., Dewitte, O., Gulie, G., et al., 2022. Landslides and gullies interact as sources of lake sediments in a rifting context: Insights from a highly degraded mountain environment. Geosciences. 12(7), 274.

[46] Yan, Y., Hu, S., Zhou, K., et al., 2023. Hazard characteristics and causes of the “7.22” 2021 debris flow in Shenshuicao gully, Qilian Mountains, NW China. Landslides. 20(1), 111–125.

[47] Gao, Y.C., Chen, N.S., Hu, G.S., et al., 2019. Magnitude-frequency relationship of debris flows in the Jiangjia Gully, China. Journal of Mountain Science. 16(6), 1289–1299.

[48] Gong, W., Juang, C.H., Wasowski, J., 2021. Geohazards and human settlements: Lessons learned from multiple relocation events in Badong, China–Engineering geologist's perspective. Engineering Geology. 285, 106051.

[49] Zhang, S., Sun, P., Li, R., et al., 2022. Distribution feature and development characteristics of geohazards in Wudu district, Gansu province, Northwest China. Geoenvironmental Disasters. 9(1), 23.

[50] Zhang, S., Sun, P., Ren, J., et al., 2022. Successful emergency evacuation from a catastrophic loess landslide reactivated by the torrential rain in October 2021 in Tianshui, Ganusu, NW China. Geoenvironmental Disasters. 9(1), 19.

[51] Bilal, M., Xing, A., Hazarika, H., 2025. The Chinese loess plateau, earthquakes, and flowslides: the need to enhance geotechnical disaster resilience. Landslides. 22, 591–596.

[52] Li, P., Wu, J., Zhou, W., et al., 2023. Hazard Hydrogeology. Springer: Cham, Switzerland.

[53] Alcántara-Ayala, I., 2025. Landslides in a changing world. Landslides. 22, 2851–2865.

[54] Wan, B., An, N., Bai, G., 2024. Monitoring and Evaluation of Debris Flow Disaster in the Loess Plateau Area of China: A Case Study. Water. 16(17), 2539.

[55] Ding, W., Wang, G., Yang, Q., et al., 2023. Risk assessment and control of geological hazards in towns of complex mountainous areas based on remote sensing and geological survey. Water. 15(18), 3170.

[56] Chen, Y., Dai, K., Chang, L., et al., 2025. The pre-processing InSAR feasibility assessment method for wide-area slope displacement monitoring. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. 136, 104336.

[57] Cheng, Y., Pang, H., Li, Y., et al., 2025. Applications and Advancements of Spaceborne InSAR in Landslide Monitoring and Susceptibility Mapping: A Systematic Review. Remote Sensing. 17(6), 999.

[58] Kara, B.C., Hastaoğlu, K.Ö., 2026. AI-Augmented Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for ground deformation: Introducing the Adaptive Regional AI System (ARAIS). Environmental Earth Sciences. 85(3), 77.

[59] Cui, J., Ran, Y., Hu, X., et al., 2025. Investigating subsidence characteristics of Kyoto imperial garden cultural heritage shaped by historical landscape construction, through remote sensing. npj Heritage Science. 13(1), 630.

[60] Shi, X., Zhao, Z., Dai, Y., et al., 2025. Post-Disaster High-Frequency Ground-Based InSAR Monitoring and 3D Deformation Reconstruction of Large Landslides Using MIMO Radar. Remote Sensing. 17(18), 3183.

[61] Lin, Z., Xu, Z., Zhang, M., 2008. Loess in China and landslides in loess slopes. In: Chen, Z., Zhang, J.-M., Ho, K., et al. (Eds.). Landslides and Engineered Slopes: From the Past to the Future, Two Volumes + CD-ROM: Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Landslides and Engineered Slopes, 30 June–4 July 2008, Xi'an, China. CRC Press: London, UK. pp. 129–144.

[62] Fan, J., Zhang, Y., Peng, Y., et al., 2025. Study on the disaster mechanism and prevention technology of embankment slip-collapse after extreme rainfall in the loess area. Scientific Reports. 15(1), 20613.

[63] Capobianco, V., Palau, R.M., Solheim, A., et al., 2024. The potential use of nature-based solutions as natural hazard mitigation measure for linear infrastructure in the Nordic Countries. Geoenvironmental disasters. 11(1), 27.

[64] Poratelli, F., Cocuccioni, S., Accastello, C., et al., 2020. State-of-the-art on ecosystem-based solutions for disaster risk reduction: The case of gravity-driven natural hazards in the Alpine region. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 51, 101929.

[65] Capobianco, V., Fraccica, A., Anselmucci, F., et al., 2025. Nature-and bio-based solutions for ecosystem restoration, landslide hazard mitigation, and ground improvement: Research and application novelties. Ecological Engineering. 219, 107710.

[66] Leknoi, U., Duangden, B., Tanapalungkorn, W., et al., 2025. A multi-level perspective on implementing vetiver grass as a nature-based and social innovation for landslide risk reduction. Environmental Development. 57, 101371.

[67] Ferdowsi, S., Németh, K., 2025. Geoparks Management in Tourism Destinations: Integrating Development and Conservation. Sustainable Development. 34(S2), 1034–1056

[68] Assilzadeh, H., Levy, J.K., Wang, X., 2010. Landslide Catastrophes and Disaster Risk Reduction: A GIS Framework for Landslide Prevention and Management. Remote Sensing. 2(9), 2259–2273.

[69] Zhang, L., Liu, Y., Dong, Y., et al., 2024. Regional difference and prevention strategy of farmland erosion induced by extreme rainstorms in the Loess area and Rocky mountain area of Northern China. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 49(9), 2704–2722.

[70] Zhang, J., Ge, Y., Yuan, G., et al., 2022. Consideration of high-quality development strategies for soil and water conservation on the loess plateau. Scientific Reports. 12(1), 8336.

[71] Wang, J., Fang, F., Wang, J., et al., 2023. Grain risk analysis of meteorological disasters in Gansu province using probability statistics and index approaches. Sustainability. 15(6), 5266.

[72] Jiang, C., Zhang, H., Wang, X., et al., 2019. Challenging the land degradation in China's Loess Plateau: Benefits, limitations, sustainability, and adaptive strategies of soil and water conservation. Ecological Engineering. 127, 135–150.

[73] Huang, J., Xue, D., Huang, M., 2025. Rural Resilience Evaluation and Risk Governance in the Middle Reaches of the Heihe River, Northwest China: An Empirical Analysis from Ganzhou District, a Typical Irrigated Agricultural Area. Land. 14(5), 926.

[74] Kordi, M., Ertz, M., 2026. Deciphering technological advancements for efficient disaster management and community resilience. Technology in Society. 84, 103057.

[75] Ghaffarian, S., Taghikhah, F.R., Maier, H.R., 2023. Explainable artificial intelligence in disaster risk management: Achievements and prospective futures. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 98, 104123.

[76] Linardos, V., Drakaki, M., Tzionas, P., et al., 2022. Machine Learning in Disaster Management: Recent Developments in Methods and Applications. Machine Learning and Knowledge Extraction. 4(2), 446–473.

[77] Amorim-Maia, A.T., Olazabal, M., 2025. Beyond adjustment: A new paradigm for climate change adaptation in a complex world. Global Environmental Change. 93, 103027.

[78] Ji, C., Xie, W., Yang, Q., et al., 2025. Microstructural Mechanisms Influencing Soil-Interface Shear Strength: A Case Study on Loess and Concrete Plate Contact. Buildings. 15(19), 3512.

[79] Liu, X., Dong, J., Tang, C., et al., 2025. Instability mechanism of loess-mudstone landslides under rainfall infiltration conditions. Scientific Reports. 15(1), 17591.

[80] Qin, Y., Pan, Z., Liu, Z., et al., 2021. Influence of the Particle Size of Porous Media on the Formation of Natural Gas Hydrate: A Review. Energy & Fuels. 35(15), 11640–11664.

[81] Esmaeili, M., Beni, T., Gigli, G., et al., 2025. Rock mass exposure fracture detection through 2D close-range images using image processing techniques: A review. Earth Science Informatics. 18(3), 494.

Downloads

How to Cite

Wang, Y. (2026). Preventing Geological Disasters in Loess Regions: Lessons Learned and Future Directions from Gansu and Similar Environments. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 8(6), 142–162. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v8i6.13371

Issue

Vol. 8 , Iss. 6 (June 2026): In Progress

Article Type

Review

License

Copyright © 2026 Yucheng Wang

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC