Earthquake-Induced Landslides in India—An Overview of Causes, Effects and Mitigation Strategies

Abstract

This review paper examines the landslides triggered by significant earthquakes in India over the past two decades, focusing on their causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies. The present study examines detailed case histories of earthquake-induced landslides from Kashmir (2005), Sikkim (2011), Gorkha (2015), Uttarakhand (2017), and Assam (2021) earthquakes. It has been observed that landslides are often associated with an earthquake of magnitude four or more. Also, the reported peak ground accelerations (PGA) were more than 0.05 g, sufficiently triggering the landslides. Other common factors contributing to the landslides are fragile geological conditions, steep slopes, hydrological influences, and human activities. The review highlights the distinct topographical and geological vulnerabilities of the Himalayan and northeastern parts of India. The paper also evaluates the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies adopted for effective future risk management. The findings aim to enhance the understanding and preparedness for earthquake-induced landslides, contributing to developing more resilient infrastructure. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.