Understanding the destabilization mechanisms in bedrock and overburden layer slopes influenced by both rainfall and seismic activity is of significant engineering importance. A series of large-scale shaking table model tests was conducted to investigate the instability evolution in bedrock and overburden layer slopes after rainfall and seismic events. This study identifies and assesses degradation modes based on spatial deformation characteristics and slope surface displacement patterns. It integrates soil stress-strain behavior, permeability characteristics, seismic stress distribution, and slope deformation characteristics to explore the deformation mechanisms in bedrock and overburden layer slopes after rainfall and seismic events. The results indicate: (1) During rainfall, saturation significantly increases at the slope crest and toe, leading to notable strength degradation without significant overall deformation. However, during seismic activity, the slope crest initially experiences sliding failure, evolving into multi-stage sliding instability. (2) Macroscopic damage occurs suddenly, and the spatial strain distribution within the slope better identifies the evolution of plastic zone expansion, penetration, and instability. (3) The slope's instability evolution pattern, analyzed by residual displacement ratios, aligns well with the spatial strain evolution within the soil, showing greater sensitivity in identifying the slope's damage state compared to cumulative displacement. (4) Changes in moisture content affect soil mechanical properties, and post-rainfall infiltration field distribution affects the slope's overall mechanical behavior and the transmission and spatial distribution of seismic stress. Soil mechanical properties and dynamic stress spatial characteristics determine the slope's failure modes.

Based on the historical documents and measured data from the active-layer temperature (ALT) at A, B and C locations (4 670, 4 720 and 4 770 m a.s.l.) on Baishui Glacier No. 1, southeastern Tibetan Plateau, this paper analyzed spatial-temporal characteristics of ALT and its relationship with air temperature, and revealed the response of the active layer ice temperature towards climate change in the monitoring period. The results showed that the influence of air temperature on the active-layer ice temperature had a hysteresis characteristic on the upper of ablation zone and the lag period increased gradually with the altitude elevating. The decrease amplitude of ALT in the accumulation period was far below its increase magnitude in the ablation period. At the same time, the mean glacier ice temperatures at 10 m depth (T-10) in A, B and C profile were obviously higher than most of glaciers previously studied. Measured data also showed that the mean ALT increased by 0.24 degrees C in 0.5-8.5 m depth of the C profile during 28 years from July 11, 1982 to July 10, 2009.