When a landslide mass enters a water body, it generates waves that propagate along the river channel, climb up upon reaching the riverbank, and impact nearby residential areas. To investigate the characteristics of wave run-up on a three-dimensional terrain, this study established a large-scale 3D physical model with a scale of 1:150 (dimensions: 64 m × 40 m × 3 m) based on the geological features of a specific amphibious landslide. The results show that the landslide-induced waves can partially inundate nearby residential areas. The unique terrain formed by the combination of residential areas and the southern riverbank amplifies the wave run-up height. A predictive formula was used to estimate the wave run-up height during wave convergence. This study provides valuable insights for predicting wave run-up heights in three-dimensional terrains. Considering the influence of different water levels on wave run-up, the study can be used to optimize water level regulation.

The Baihetan Hydropower Station reservoir area began impoundment in 2021, triggering the reactivation of ancient landslides and the formation of new ones. This not only caused direct landslide disasters but also significantly increased the likelihood of secondary surge wave disasters. This study takes the Wangjiashan (WJS) landslide in the Baihetan reservoir area as an example and conducts large-scale three-dimensional physical model experiments. Based on the results of the physical model experiments, numerical simulation is used as a comparative verification tool. The results show that the numerical simulation method effectively reproduces the formation and propagation process of the WJS landslide-induced surge waves observed in the physical experiments. At the impoundment water level of 825 m, the surge waves generated by the WJS landslide pose potential threats to the Xiangbiling (XBL) residential area. In this study, the numerical simulation based on computational fluid dynamics confirmed the actual propagation forms of the surge waves, aligning well with the results of the physical experiments at a microscopic scale. However, at a macroscopic scale, there is some discrepancy between the numerical simulation results and the physical experiment outcomes, with a maximum error of 25%, primarily stemming from the three-dimensional numerical source model. This study emphasizes the critical role of physical model experiments in understanding and mitigating surge wave disasters in China. Furthermore, physical experiments remain crucial for accurate disaster prediction and mitigation strategies. The theories and methods used in this study will provide important references for future research related to landslide disasters in reservoir areas.

The impact generated by landslide-induced surge waves in large reservoirs poses significant threats to the safety of coastal residents and their property. It is essential to further elucidate the characteristics of these surge waves and enhance the capabilities of surge wave prediction and emergency warning systems. This research takes the Wangjiashan landslide in the Baihetan Hydropower Station reservoir area as a prototype, constructing a three-dimensional landslide model at a 1:150 scale. Through experiments designed under varying water levels and slope friction coefficients, the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of the landslide-induced surge waves along the riverbank were analyzed. The research results indicate that through the use of the zero-crossing method, fundamental characteristics of landslide-induced surge waves such as the maximum wave height, maximum period, significant wave height, and significant wave period could be obtained. Based on the statistical analysis of significant wave heights, the surge waves were categorized into three levels—small waves, moderate waves, and large waves—accounting for 15.79%, 78.95%, and 5.26% of the total waves, respectively. The height of surge waves decreases with an increase in the slope friction coefficient and river channel water depth. Additionally, the interaction between the landslide’s entry velocity into the water and the water level determines the effectiveness of wave propagation. This research provides crucial data support and theoretical foundations for the prediction and emergency warning of landslide-induced surge waves, offering significant implications for the prevention and mitigation of reservoir and landslide disasters.

Landslide-generated surge waves are significant natural hazards, posing severe risks to engineering safety. Despite extensive research on the dynamics of landslide-generated waves, studies analyzing controlling factors and their mechanisms remain limited, leaving key influencing processes inadequately understood. This study utilizes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to perform a numerical simulation of a semi-submerged landslide in a hydropower station reservoir area. The research systematically investigated the effects of key variables, including slide volume, velocity, centroid height, and water depth, on the behavior of semi-submerged landslide-generated surge waves. Results demonstrate a positive correlation of slide volume, velocity, and centroid height with the initial wave height and run-up on the opposing shoreline. However, the impact of water depth reveals a more complex pattern, exhibiting distinct surge characteristics in the near-field and far-field zones. Via correlation and sensitivity analyses, this study elucidated the relationships between these factors and surge dynamics, identifying the primary factors influencing the size of the semi-submerged landslide-generated surge. The findings provide critical insights for predicting and mitigating surge disasters, offering both theoretical foundations and practical application value for landslide disaster prevention and management.

Since the impoundment of the Baihetan Reservoir, water-involved landslides have become widespread. Existing studies on landslide-generated waves have rarely examined the impact of varying water levels on wave characteristics. This paper focuses on the Wangjiashan (WJS) landslide in the Baihetan Reservoir area of China, conducting geomechanical experiments to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of landslide-generated waves under different water level conditions. Utilizing a self-developed experimental measurement system, this study accurately records key parameters during the generation, propagation, and run-up of landslide-generated waves. It captures the complete sliding process of the WJS landslide under various water level conditions and elucidates the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of waves throughout their entire lifecycle, from generation through propagation to run-up. The research results indicate that water level factors significantly influence key parameters such as initial wave height, run-up on the opposite bank, propagation characteristics along the course, and maximum run-up in the Xiangbiling residential area. Generally, wave height initially increases and then decreases as the water level drops. Furthermore, this study offers crucial experimental data to deepen the understanding of the physical mechanisms of landslide-generated waves, advancing landslide disaster early warning technologies and enhancing the scientific accuracy and precision of landslide risk management.