Unwrapping distinct dominant factors among different types of active landslides in the Banbar-Lhorong Region, Tibetan Plateau

Landslides of different types exhibit distinct predisposing and triggering mechanisms, necessitating analysis of landslide dominant factors individually for each type. However, many regional studies have neglected proper classification, leading to overly generalized and diluted conclusions. This paper focuses on the Banbar-Lhorong Region (BLR) in the Tibetan Plateau, where surface deformation was retrieved using SBAS-InSAR time-series analysis. A robust, type-specific, feature-zoned inventory of active landslides was compiled through three-step selection, classification, and zonation, comprising 93 rock slope deformations (RSDs), 66 rockfalls (RFs), 86 rock avalanches (RAs), and 253 rock glaciers (RGs). The dominance of eight predisposing factors on spatial distribution was quantified with the decisiveness index, while dominance over temporal activity was evaluated by correlating short-term climate variables with deformation rates. Results show that weak correlations between landslides and factors emerge when all landslide types are analyzed together, causing a “wrapping” of dominant factors. Contrarily, type-wise analysis successfully unwrapped distinct dominant factors among different landslide types. Spatially, RSDs are dominated by elevation and rainfall, clustering in low-elevation, high-rainfall valleys; RFs by slope, clustering on freeze–thaw affected steep slopes; RAs by lithology, associating with weak lithologies in steep, faulted terrain; and RGs by elevation and temperature, clustering in high-altitude permafrost zones. Temporally, RSDs accelerate with temperature fluctuations, while RFs, RAs, and RGs spike with intense rainfall. By “unwrapping” type-specific factor dominance, this study provides new insights into landslide constraints and demonstrates that type-wise analysis can fundamentally improve hazard assessment and targeted mitigation in complex regions.