Deep learning can predict global earthquake-triggered landslides

Earthquake-triggered (coseismic) landsliding is among the most lethal of disasters, and rapid response is crucial to prevent cascading hazards that further threaten lives and infrastructure. Current prediction approaches are limited by oversimplified physical models, regionally focused databases, and retrospective statistical methods, which impede timely and accurate hazard assessments. To overcome these constraints, we developed the first comprehensive global database of ∼400 000 landslides associated with 38 of the most catastrophic earthquakes over the past 50 years. Leveraging this extensive dataset, we developed advanced deep-learning models that predict the probability of landsliding for any earthquake worldwide with an average spatial accuracy of ∼82% in less than a minute, without relying on prior local knowledge. Our framework enables swift disaster evaluation during the critical early hours following an earthquake while also enhancing pre-event hazard planning. This study offers a scalable and efficient tool to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of earthquake-triggered landslides, representing a transformative advance in global geohazard prediction.

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Publication Details

Journal
National Science Review
Published
2025-05-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf179
Citations
13
Primary Topic
Landslides and related hazards
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
31.49

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article

Deep learning can predict global earthquake-triggered landslides

Xin Wang, John D. Jansen, Runqiu Huang, Hakan Tanyaş et al.
13 citations
National Science Review
Landslides and related hazards
31.49
article

Deep learning can predict global earthquake-triggered landslides

Xin Wang, John D. Jansen, Runqiu Huang, Hakan Tanyaş, Nan Zang, Chengyong Fang, Xuanmei Fan, Ran Tang, Lanxin Dai, Qiang Xu
article en
13 citations

Abstract

Earthquake-triggered (coseismic) landsliding is among the most lethal of disasters, and rapid response is crucial to prevent cascading hazards that further threaten lives and infrastructure. Current prediction approaches are limited by oversimplified physical models, regionally focused databases, and retrospective statistical methods, which impede timely and accurate hazard assessments. To overcome these constraints, we developed the first comprehensive global database of ∼400 000 landslides associated with 38 of the most catastrophic earthquakes over the past 50 years. Leveraging this extensive dataset, we developed advanced deep-learning models that predict the probability of landsliding for any earthquake worldwide with an average spatial accuracy of ∼82% in less than a minute, without relying on prior local knowledge. Our framework enables swift disaster evaluation during the critical early hours following an earthquake while also enhancing pre-event hazard planning. This study offers a scalable and efficient tool to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of earthquake-triggered landslides, representing a transformative advance in global geohazard prediction.

National Science ReviewVol. 12(7)
Czech Academy of Sciences (CZ), Southern University of Science and Technology (CN), Chengdu University of Technology (CN), Chengdu University (CN), Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geophysics (CZ), GeoInformation (United Kingdom) (GB), University of Twente (NL)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province, National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Landslides and related hazards
31.49
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