Debris flows can develop into mega catastrophes in semi-arid regions when the source materials come from landslides, and both snowmelt and precipitation are involved in increasing water discharge. In such environments, the formation of large-scale debris flows exhibits a distinguishable pattern, in which a multi-fold lower triggering rainfall threshold holds compared to humid regions. Previous research mainly focuses on mechanisms in humid environments or neglects variations across aridity classes. In this study, the formation and evolutionary mechanism of a debris flow occurring in a semi-arid context is investigated via field surveys, granularity measurement, terrain and climate analyses, and snow cover change detection. By examining the July 22, 2021, Xiao Dongsuo debris flow at Amidongsuo Park in the Qilian Ranges on the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, the mechanism of debris flows in semi-arid regions is revealed. The research finds that the large debris flow, whose course erosion scales up the disaster by 0.12 million m3, is primarily supplied by landslide deposits of 1.16 million m3. The debris flow is empowered by the integrated flow of extreme precipitation and extreme heat-stimulated snowmelt. However, the precipitation required to trigger the debris flow is much lower than that of precipitation-dominated ones and those in humid regions. In semi-arid mountains, prolonged extreme heat tends to increase soil moisture in areas covered by snow or permafrost. This reduces slope stability and induces slope failures, amplifying the disaster magnitude and raising disaster risks through extended deterioration. Hence, this study inspects the failure mechanism associated with debris flows in semi-arid regions for a more comprehensive understanding to constitute viable control plans for analogous disasters.

With the expansion of engineering activities, numerous major projects are gradually emerging in frozen soil regions. However, due to the unique engineering properties of frozen soil, various frozen soil engineering di-sasters have occurred or accelerated under the conditions of global warming, posing a serious threat to the project operation, environmental and ecological protection, and humanity development. This paper summarizes the formation conditions of frozen soil engineering disasters from the perspectives of thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical factors based on existing research. The definition, development trend and characteristics of thawing disaster, frost heaving disaster and freeze-thaw disaster are generalized. The main prevention measures are summarized based on the thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical conditions that cause frozen soil engineering di-sasters. Research suggestions on frozen soil engineering disasters including the engineering disaster mechanism under the frozen soil degradation and multi-hazard risk assessment are proposed. It may provide some references for the harmonious coexistence and sustainable development of engineering construction and geological envi-ronment in frozen soil area.