Analysis of buckling failure process for the Xiaguiwa landslide in southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Detailed field investigations at the Xiaguiwa landslide in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau (China) demonstrated how deep-seated buckling deformation can develop in a rapid slope failure. The results suggest that there exist three distinct phases during the buckling failure process: the moderately deformed phase, the heavily deformed phase and the failure phase. The Xiaguiwa landslide finally blocked the Jinsha River, formed a dammed lake and produced lacustrine deposits; these results represent common post-failure features associated with a rapid large landslide in the high-relief region in the Tibetan Plateau.