Slip-Surface Depth Inversion and Influencing Factor Analysis Based on the Integration of InSAR and GeoDetector: A Case Study of Typical Creep Landslide Groups in Li County

Abstract

Highlights: What are the main findings? The reconstructed 3D slip-surface geometries (32–98 m) reveal systematic depth–topography relationships that distinguish three fundamental mechanical regimes of creeping landslides. Elevation exerts primary control on slip-surface depth, while nonlinear amplification among topographic factors governs its spatial heterogeneity. What are the implications of the main findings? Enables the “form-to-state” transition, allowing internal mechanical conditions to be inferred from surface deformation. The identified correspondence between slip-surface depth patterns and deformation regimes offers a transferable conceptual framework for interpreting the internal geometry and mechanical organization of creeping landslides in high-relief terrains. Creeping landslides constitute the predominant form of long-term, slow-moving geohazards in high mountain gorge regions. Under the combined influence of gravity and external triggering factors, these landslides undergo persistent deformation, posing continuous threats to major transportation corridors, hydropower infrastructures, and nearby settlements. Li County is located within the active tectonic belt along the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, characterized by highly variable topography, intensely fractured rock masses, and dense development of creeping landslides. The slip surfaces are typically deeply buried and concealed. Consequently, conventional drilling and profile-based investigations, limited by high costs, sparse sampling points, and poor spatial continuity, are insufficient for identifying the deep-seated structures of such landslides. To address this challenge, this study applies Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) to obtain ascending and descending deformation rate fields for 2022–2024, revealing pronounced spatial heterogeneity and persistent activity across three types of landslides. Based on the principle of mass conservation, the sliding-surface depths of eight typical landslides were inverted, revealing pronounced heterogeneity. The maximum sliding-surface depths range from 32 to 98 m and show strong agreement with borehole and profile data (R2 > 0.92; RMSE ±4.96–±16.56 m), confirming the reliability of the inversion method. The GeoDetector model was used to quantitatively evaluate the dominant factors controlling landslide depth. Elevation was identified as the primary control factor, while slope aspect exhibited significant influence in several landslides. All factor combinations showed either “bi-factor enhancement” or “nonlinear enhancement”, indicating that slip-surface depth is governed by synergistic interactions among multiple factors. Boxplot-based statistical analyses further revealed three typical patterns of slip-surface variation with elevation and slope, based on which the landslides were classified into rotational, push-type translational, and traction-type translational categories. By integrating statistical patterns with mechanical models, the study achieves a transition from “form” to “state”, enabling inference of the internal mechanical conditions and evolutionary stages from the observed surface morphology. The results of this study provide an effective technical approach for deep structural detection, identification of controlling factors, and stability evaluation of creeping landslides in high mountain gorge environments.