Deformation characteristics and reactivation mechanisms of the Outang ancient landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the deformation characteristics and reactivation mechanisms of a giant ancient translational landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) based on more than 6 years of monitoring data with the assistance of in situ surveys. The Outang landslide, divided into three active parts, has a total volume of approximately 90 million m(3) and slides along weak interlayers (WIs). Since the impoundment, the landslide has been experiencing persistent deformations with some distinct movement signs. The temporal displacements are marked by seasonal cycles of fast displacements in the summer followed by almost imperceptible movements for the remainder of each hydrologic year. The spatial displacement rates gradually increased with the increase in altitude. The primary triggering factors for slope movement could transition from the drawdown of the reservoir water to the periodic rainfall. The affected areas by the former and latter are mainly concentrated in the front part and the upper part of the slope, respectively. The landslide exhibited a composite push-retrogression-type failure evolution with the fluctuating reservoir levels destabilizing rock masses at the front part of the landslide and the precipitation mainly mobilizing materials in the upper part of the slope. Currently, the landslide is in a state of continuous movement. The toe area and upper part of the landslide should receive high priority for the development of preventative measures.