LARGE-SCALE LANDSLIDES IN

MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN OF MALAYSIA –

SOME CASE STUDIES

TAJUL ANUAR JAMALUDDIN

Geology Programme
Faculty of Science & Technology
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Bangi Selangor
LARGE-SCALE LANDSLIDE MORPHOLOGY

An old, large-scale landslide in Malaysia (Kundasang, Sabah).

Large-scale landslides – Hazards Identification

670m

• Arcuate headscarp
• Hummocky topography
• Deflection of river course
 Large-scale landslides – Hazards Identification

A A’

• Anomalous benches
• Arcuate headscarp scars
• Hummocky topography

Geomorphological features of a large-scale landslide – Kundasang, Sabah

A A’
 Large-scale Landslides – Hazards Identification

The topographic expression of deep-seated slides is

characterized by Y-shaped tributaries, anomalous benches
and arcuate headscarp evacuation scars.
LIVING IN A LANDSLIDE…

Kampung Dumpiring Atas, Kundasang

CASE STUDY #1- KUNDASANG LANDSLIDE COMPLEX

• The Kundasang area as a whole is sited on a large-scale landslide complex. The

“Kundasang Landslide Complex” consisted of a number of km-scale, active, landslide
systems and it has been identified as the first natural large-scale landslide phenomena
ever reported in Malaysia (Komoo, et al. 2005).
 Understanding A Landslide Complex

Landslide Complex
• Unit An individual landslide/
slope failure, small
• System scale.
Unit
• Complex

A number of landslide units,

geologically,
hidrogeologically/
The small structures are a key geomorphologically related to
to and mimic the styles and each other. System
orientations of larger
structures of the same
generation within a particular
area – Pumpelly’s Rule

A region of instability
consisting of a number of
landslide systems.
Complex
 LANDSLIDE HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

Dislocated and subsided road pavement

LANDSLIDE HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

Uplifted retaining wall

One of the tension cracks

that cut trough the school
Slanted fence compound
Regional survey &
aerial photographs
interpretation

• Distribution and boundary

of the landslide systems.
• Bagkground : aerial
photographs taken in
2001.

2003
 LANDSLIDE
IDENTIFICATION
• Based on API, field
mapping and association
of the geodynamic
features; at least 6
systems of major
landslides were identified.
RECOMMENDED SOLUTION
….to overcome problems of large-scale landslide.

Landslide behaviour – its getting bigger and bigger with time….

 LANDSLIDE HEAD PROPAGATES UPSTREAM
AND SIDEWARDS

…the landslide rear and side scarps would grow bigger and propagate backwards
(upstream) and laterally ……
 LANDSLIDE HEAD PROPAGATES UPSTREAM
AND SIDEWARDS

…. Property losses and damages increased yearly. This kind of large-scale landslide is
difficult to stop because of deep-seated and very long slding plane.
 PUMPING WELL
CONCRETE-

PUMPING WELL
LINED DRAIN

PUMPING WELL
RETAINING
WALL

The rate of movement might be reduced if the ground water level be lowered down below the level of
the sliding plane. This can be achieved by pumping out water regularly from the suitably designed
pumping wells on the slope and adequate surface drainage system. The draw up water can be utilised
for domestic and agricultural purposes!
At the downstream area, where the sliding plane is shallower, suitably desinged reataining walls can be
constructed to stop the ground movement and to protect the existing infrastructures.
 PUMPING WELL
CONCRETE-
LINED DRAIN

PUMPING WELL
CONCRETE-
LINED DRAIN

PUMPING WELL
RETAINING WALL
(CONTIGOUS BORED-PILE
WALL)
RETAINING
WALL

BEDROCK

The pumping rate should be closely monitored, recharge and discharge rate should be in
equilibrium. Otherwise problems of land subsidence might start to surface!
 PUMPING WELL
CONCRETE-
LINED DRAIN

PUMPING WELL
CONCRETE-
LINED DRAIN

PUMPING WELL
RETAINING WALL
(CONTIGOUS BORED-PILE
WALL)
RETAINING
WALL

BEDROCK

…..After several months/years, it is expected that the water table would be reduced and
thus the movement of the landslides could be drastically reduced and stopped.