Landslide Research Outputs Surge 32-Fold Since 1994, China Leads Global Growth

Since 1994, the number of research outputs with the keyword “landslide” has increased 32-fold, reflecting a dramatic surge in academic and scientific interest in landslide studies.

In a few weeks, I will be one of the invited speakers at the Landslide Risk and Geoengineering (LaRGE) Conference in Queenstown, New Zealand. To prepare for my presentation, I analyzed landslide research growth using Scopus, focusing on the period from 1994—when I submitted my PhD thesis—to 2025.

Global Landslide Research Outputs: A 32-Fold Increase

The graph below, sourced from Scopus, illustrates the annual number of research outputs featuring the keyword “landslide” from 1994 to 2025.

The data reveals a striking upward trend: in 1994, there were 182 research outputs; by 2025, this number had risen to 5,875. This represents a 32x increase in landslide-related research over three decades.

The extraordinary growth in productivity is clear—though it does not necessarily indicate a paradigm shift in landslide research.

Key Journals in Landslide Research: Shifting Academic Priorities

An analysis of top journals publishing landslide research reveals notable trends:

• Landslides (launched in 2004) has experienced rapid growth, though it still constitutes a small fraction of total outputs.
• Natural Hazards and Engineering Geology have seen substantial increases in publications.
• Geomorphology has also observed a smaller but meaningful rise in output.
• Traditional geotechnical journals such as QJEGH, the Canadian Geotechnical Journal, and Geotechnique have remained largely static over time.

This shift suggests a diversification of landslide research beyond geotechnical engineering, expanding into fields like geomorphology, remote sensing, geophysics, and natural hazards.

China’s Dominance in Landslide Research

Another critical factor is the explosive growth of landslide research in China. The graph below isolates research outputs where at least one author is affiliated with a Chinese institution.

In 2025, Chinese-affiliated authors produced 2,616 landslide research outputs, accounting for over 55% of the global total. This underscores China’s emergence as the new center of gravity in landslide science.

There is no doubt as to where the center of gravity now lies in landslide science.

As landslide research continues to expand globally, the field’s academic and geographic priorities have fundamentally shifted, with China leading the way in output and influence.