Geological hazards are widely distributed, cause huge losses, and have always been the focus of attention for engineering and environmental geologists. Geological hazard evaluation is the basis of research and has important theoretical significance for preventing and controlling geological hazards. Therefore, geological hazard evaluation has become the focus of engineering and environmental geology. The question of how to build a universal index system model of geological hazard evaluation is an urgent problem that needs to be solved in geological hazard evaluation. Based on a large amount of previous research data, this paper takes landslide hazard as an example and systematically expounds the main problems that need to be solved in the current geological hazard evaluation from five aspects: basic concept, evaluation scope and accuracy, evaluation index system and evaluation criteria, evaluation method, and applicability of evaluation results. A landslide hazard assessment index system model is proposed, which applies to all regions, including all of the factors that may affect the formation of landslides. It is also hoped that this will be used as an example to establish various types of disaster evaluation and assessment systems. If the parameter has no value in the assessment process, it can be processed as 0. On this basis, further research is suggested from the perspectives of the geological hazard evaluation level, geological hazard evaluation theory, and method. To provide thoughts on and suggestions for geological hazard risk assessment method research, standard revision, investigation and evaluation, and risk management and control need to be considered.

Potential landslide identification and monitoring are essential to prevent geological disasters. However, in mountainous areas where the surface gradient changes significantly, the leveling effect is not completely removed, affecting the deformation results. In this paper, the SBAS-InSAR and PS-InSAR time-series processing methods were combined to interfere with the SAR image data of the ascending orbit in the southern mountainous area of Ningxia and its surrounding regions. Based on the obtained surface deformation monitoring results and optical images, landslide hazard identification was successfully carried out within the coverage area of 3130 km² in Xiji County. The results show that the whole study area presented a relatively stable state, most of the deformation rates were concentrated in the range of 0 mm/a to −10 mm/a, and the deformation in the southwest area was larger. A total of 11 large potential landslides (which were already registered potential danger points of geological disasters) were identified in the study area, including three historical collapses. The landslide identification results were highly consistent with the field survey results after verification. The timing analysis of the typical landslide point of the Jiaowan landslide was further carried out, which showed that the Jiaowan landslide produced new deformation during the monitoring time, but it was still in a basically stable state. It can do a good job in disaster prevention and reduction while strengthening monitoring. The results of this study have a guiding effect on landslide prevention and mitigation in the mountainous areas of southern Ningxia.

Heavy metals in agricultural soils pose risks to ecosystems and public health, influenced by industrial emissions, atmospheric deposition, and agricultural practices. This study assesses contamination in reforested farmlands following unauthorized development removal in conservation areas of Baoqizhai and Dayangyu (Jiaodai Town, Lantian County, Xi’an City, northern Qinling foothills, China). Spatial distributions of chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Pollution levels were evaluated with the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and potential ecological risk index (PERI). Mean concentrations were 65.4 mg/kg (Cr), 12.1 (As), 29.8 (Ni), 0.36 (Cd), 32.7 (Pb), 42.5 (Cu), and 110.3 mg/kg (Zn), generally below China’s Grade II standards except for Cd, which approached limits and contributed the highest risk. I _geo values indicated unpolluted to moderately polluted conditions (maximum Cd I _geo = 0.28), while PERI showed low to moderate overall risk ( RI = 62.02), primarily from Cd ( Er = 36.0). Atmospheric deposition, sewage irrigation, and industrial/agricultural activities were identified as the main sources through correlation and principal component analysis. The study evaluates reforestation’s effects on legacy pollution and recommends ongoing Cd monitoring and phytoremediation to protect soil health and biodiversity in this ecologically sensitive region.