Study on Weathered Slope Landslides and Causes in Mu Cang Chai District, Yen Bai Province

Landslides are one of the most frequent types of natural hazards occurring in the mountainous regions of Vietnam. With a humid tropical climate, the slope weathering processes increase the prevalence of landslides on weathered slopes. This paper synthesizes research approaches to weathered slope landslides. It applies to identifying the factors contributing to the landslide area behind the former procuracy building in Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province. The study used published data besides field surveys and laboratory analyses. The results identified that several processes influence the landslide, including heterogeneous weathered soil and rock, thinly foliated bedrock with fracture systems aligned with the sliding direction, expansive surface soils with a high risk of strength reduction and deformation, and partially weathered or fractured zones prone to forming slip surfaces. Furthermore, the accumulation of water drainage lines at the toe of the landslide increases pressure, thereby enhancing landslide risk.