The Stages of Debris Flow Activity During the Quaternary in the Xiaojiang River Basin, China

Abstract This study aimed to predict the laws and trends of modern debris flow by examining the activity cycle of debris flow during the Quaternary and its relationship with environmental change. The timing of the debris flow activity period was determined using sediment dating data based on typical debris flow deposition profiles selected from various terraces in the Xiaojiang River Basin, China. The relationships between debris flow and environmental change were compared and analyzed using neotectonic history, the deep-sea oxygen isotope δ18O curve, and the loess paleosol series. The results showed that the debris flow activities in the Xiaojiang River Basin could divided into eight activity cycles, namely 11.42 Ma, 0.985 Ma, 0.562–0.52 Ma, 0.218 Ma, 0.137 Ma, 14 Ka, 0.73 Ka, and since 3 Ka. The activity cycle of debris flow deposition coincided with the neotectonically active period. Neotectonic movement has controlled the cycle of large debris flow deposition in the Xiaojiang River Basin since the Quaternary. The sedimentary activity of debris flow was not completely consistent with a warm and humid climate, and the sedimentation activity of debris flow was the result of the combined effects of tectonic movement and climate change.