As prescribed in Regulations for Geological Disasters Prevention and Control enacted by State Council in 2004, the geological disasters generally refer to such disasters caused by geological processes which result in losses of people鈥檚 lives and properties. The disasters can be divided into more than 30 categories. Those induced by rainfalls, snowmelt, earthquakes and other factors are called natural geological disasters, while those induced by construction excavations, stacking, blasting operations, disposed earth etc. are called man-made geological disasters. However, the common geological disasters mainly refer to those six geological processes-related disasters like collapses, landslips, debris flows, land falls, ground fissures and land subsidence that may endanger people鈥檚 lives and safety of properties. In Shanghai, landfalls and land subsidence are more common; of which landfalls has greater hazards to human safety.

When landfalls occur, following public protection measures are mainly adopted: First, avoid the disasters initiatively, mark, isolate and set warnings in the areas happening landfalls to prevent irrelevant people entering these areas and causing injuries. Second, evacuate promptly. When signs of landfalls arise or landfalls just start, organize the residents to evacuate dangerous areas and houses quickly.