To investigate the characteristics of the in-situ stress field in the lower rock mass of underground gas storage caverns at the Zhumadian compressed air energy storage (CAES) power station, and to predict the risk level of rockburst in the caverns for ensuring geological safety, a series of studies were conducted. Firstly, hydraulic fracturing in-situ stress tests were carried out in the lower rock mass of the CAES power station to obtain the basic data of the in-situ stress field in the storage cavern area. Subsequently, indoor rock mechanics tests were conducted on the core samples from the corresponding test sections of the stress measurement boreholes to determine the saturated uniaxial compressive strength of the rocks. Finally, the rockburst risk level in the caverns was predicted using the rock strength-to-stress ratio. The results indicate the following: (1) The measured in-situ stress in the underground gas storage caverns is at a low-to-medium level, with the maximum horizontal principal stress (S_H) ranging from 4.48 to 9.61 MPa and the minimum horizontal principal stress (S_h) from 3.15 to 5.79 MPa. Within the measured depth range, both the maximum and minimum principal stresses exhibit a linear relationship with burial depth, increasing as the depth increases. (2) The orientation of the measured maximum horizontal principal stress is NE-SW (N43.3° E), which is generally consistent with the regional principal stress direction. The coefficient of the maximum horizontal principal stress in the rock mass of the underground storage caverns ranges from 1.12 to 1.62, while that of the minimum horizontal principal stress ranges from 0.79 to 0.97. The horizontal stress coefficient within the measured depth ranges from 1.29 to 1.68, indicating a strike-slip faulting stress regime. (3) The tensile strength (T) of the rocks obtained from hydraulic fracturing tests ranges from 1.72 to 11.97 MPa, with an average value of 4.71 MPa. The overall tensile strength of the rocks is relatively high, which is generally consistent with the values obtained from the indoor rock mechanics tests. (4) Through a point-by-point analysis of rockburst risk during tunnel excavation, the surrounding rock at a burial depth (H) of 187.20 m is classified as having a slight rockburst susceptibility, while no rockburst is expected at other test points. (5) These research findings provide a scientific basis for the design and construction of the underground energy storage caverns at this CAES power station, and also fill the gap in the measured in-situ stress data for this region.

Loess landslides represent a severe geohazard in the Loess Plateau, posing significant challenges to sustainable development and regional safety. This study analyzed 111 landslides (1976–2018) and 529 marginal fissures in the South Jingyang Tableland (SJT) to reveal the distribution and failure modes of the landslide cluster. Preparation factors, including stratigraphic lithology, geomorphic features, and discontinuity systems (vertical/tectonic joints, unloading fissures, weak layers, and marginal fissures), were evaluated alongside triggering factors such as precipitation, irrigation, and river erosion. The main takeaways of this study are as follows. (1) A comprehensive database of 111 loess landslides (1976–2018) and 529 marginal fissures was constructed for the SJT, representing the longest and most complete chronological record available for this region. (2) Landslide activity within the Jiangliu landslide cluster (LC) exhibits an approximately decadal clustering pattern, with a temporal spacing of 9.6 ± 2.8 years between successive active periods, providing a basis for medium-term hazard forecasting in comparable settings. (3) The evolution of marginal fissures is controlled by the margin’s geometry and their interaction with slope failure processes, and the strong correlation between fissure development and landslide initiation enables the use of fissure monitoring as an early warning indicator. (4) The evolutionary mechanism follows a sequence of initial tectonic activity → rising groundwater → formation of the critical slide structure → water accumulation in fissures → single landslide → subsequent clustering. This process, termed a “water-induced loess catastrophe” (WILC), provides a conceptual framework for understanding landslide clustering on loess tablelands. (5) The database construction methodology, the decadal clustering analysis, and the WILC model collectively offer transferable tools for medium-term hazard forecasting, fissure-based early warning, and sustainable land-use planning on loess tablelands, not only in the SJT, but also in other loess regions with similar geological and hydrological settings.