Mudslide Wonder of Jiang Jiagou Valley in Dongchuan District, Kunming
Overview of Dongchuan Mudslides
Dongchuan, located in Kunming’s Dongchuan District (昆明市东川区), is renowned for its frequent mudslides, also known as debris flows. One of the most notable valleys in this region is Jiang Jiagou (蒋家沟), one of 172 mudslide valleys in the Xiaojiang River (小江) basin, a primary tributary of the Jinsha River (金沙江). Dongchuan is one of the most concentrated mudslide zones in China and the world. These natural phenomena, while destructive, are also visually stunning, often compared to ink-wash paintings in their beauty.
Mudslides in Dongchuan have been developing for thousands of years. Today, the area is home to 113 mudslide valleys, with Jiang Jiagou experiencing the highest frequency and largest scale of activity. This valley’s natural disaster history has earned it the reputation of a “Natural Museum of Mudslides” (泥石流天然博物馆), making it an ideal location for studying the relationship between human survival and the natural environment.
One of the unique phenomena observed in Jiang Jiagou is the “rockfall triggered by sound” (声喊则碎石崩流), where the precariously balanced rocks collapse at the slightest disturbance. Over the past half-century, the riverbed has risen more than 100 meters due to mudslide deposits, making humans standing at the valley bottom appear like grains of sand in a mighty river.
The “Mud Dragon” (泥龙)
Mudslides in Dongchuan are often referred to as “Mud Dragons” (泥龙) due to their destructive and powerful flow. The Xiaojiang region, home to over 100 different types of mudslide valleys, including Jiang Jiagou, is known as a “Natural Museum of Mudslides.” Since 1961, the Dongchuan Mudslide National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station (云南东川泥石流国家野外科学观测研究站), also known as the “Dongchuan Station” (东川站), has conducted long-term studies on these natural disasters. The researchers have developed a comprehensive mudslide disaster mitigation strategy called the “Dongchuan Model” (东川模式), which combines stability, blocking, and drainage measures to reduce the impact of mudslides. This model has laid the foundation for China’s mudslide research.
Entering the “Natural Museum of Mudslides” (走进“泥石流天然博物馆”)
Recently, the world’s largest mountain disaster simulation platform, the “Large-Scale Dynamics Simulation Experiment Platform for Mountain Disasters” (山地灾害大尺度动力学模拟实验平台), was put into operation at the Dongchuan Station. This scientific facility aims to uncover the natural mechanisms behind mudslide eruptions, reduce their harm to human life, and solve engineering problems related to their control. It also enhances China’s research capabilities in the international field of mountain disaster studies.
Key Research and Experimentation
- “Large-Scale Dynamics Simulation Experiment Platform for Mountain Disasters” (山地灾害大尺度动力学模拟实验平台): The platform is designed to simulate and study the dynamics of mountain disasters such as mudslides and landslides, providing valuable data to reduce their impact on human life.
- Zhou Gongdan (周公旦), Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Surface Processes (中国科学院山地灾害与地表过程重点实验室), and Zhong Wei (钟卫), Deputy Station Chief and Senior Engineer at Dongchuan Station, adjust equipment in the control room of the simulation platform.
- Song Dongri (宋东日), Station Chief and Researcher at Dongchuan Station, along with Zhong Wei and Wei Li (魏丽), an engineer, inspect the erosion of a sand-blocking dam in the Daqiao River (大桥河) basin.
- Li Xiaoyu (黎晓宇), a senior engineer responsible for maintaining the station’s observation system, and Wei Li, use survey equipment to measure changes in the mudslide channels at Jiang Jiagou.
Exploration and Maintenance
- Research teams, including Li Zhanlu (李战鲁), Deputy Director of the Public Technology Center at the Chengdu Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (中国科学院成都山地灾害与环境研究所), and Zhong Wei, use high-density electrical resistivity equipment to study the slope structure and strata of Jiang Jiagou.
- Li Xiaoyu and Wei Li maintain experimental equipment and collect data from Jiang Jiagou, while Zhou Gongdan and Zhong Wei fine-tune the equipment in the control room of the “Large-Scale Dynamics Simulation Experiment Platform.”
Jiang Jiagou: A Vital Research Site
Jiang Jiagou is regarded as a prime location for studying mudslides due to its well-preserved fan-shaped deposits. The natural formation is ideal for scientific research, allowing experts to analyze the intricate dynamics of debris flows. Researchers use advanced geophysical tools, such as high-density electrical resistivity meters, to explore subsurface structures and assess the long-term stability of slopes.
Collaboration and Technological Advances
- Song Dongri, along with engineers like Li Xiaoyu, continues to lead the installation and maintenance of advanced observation equipment, facilitating the accurate monitoring of mudslide activity.
- Researchers reflect on significant historical events, such as the 2007 mudslide that destroyed Observation Building No. 1 (1号观测楼), which serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive power of mudslides.
- Ongoing efforts include Zhong Wei arranging electrodes on the Jiang Jiagou mudslide fan for further geophysical measurements.
Conclusion
The Dongchuan Mudslide Research Station is a beacon of scientific achievement in China. Its advancements, including the establishment of the “Large-Scale Dynamics Simulation Experiment Platform,” represent a significant leap forward in the understanding and mitigation of mountain disasters. Dongchuan’s mudslide valleys, particularly Jiang Jiagou, continue to provide invaluable insights into natural disaster research, contributing to global efforts in disaster prevention and control.
