Environmental geologic investigation of Xintan landslide

The development and environmental effect of a large-scale landslide which occurred on the bank of the Yangtze River are described. The landslide of colluvium, which originated from rockfalls associated with coal mining, destroyed the entire town of Xintan. Due to timely prediction and effectively-organized, evacuation efforts, 1,371 persons from 457 families which resided in the landslide area safely withdrew by the eve of the slide. However, surging waves induced by the leading edge of the landslide mass into the river destroyed more than 70 boats and small steamers and drowned 10 boatmen.