The “ICL and CGS (China Geological Survey) Seminar on Geohazards”was held on 21–25 February 2011 in Xi’an, China, as an activity of Landslide School Network of International Programme on Landslides. Two hundred forty delegates from China, Japan, Indonesia, Norway, and USA participated in this seminar.

Five invited keynote lectures were presented by Kyoji Sassa (Professor Emeritus of Kyoto University, Japan), Dwikorita Karnawati (Professor of Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia), Edwin Lynn Harp (Researcher of U.S. Geological Survey), Anders Solheim (Director of natural hazard department, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute), and Wang Fawu (Associate professor of interdisciplinary faculty of science and engineering, Shimane University, Japan). The seminar themes were: (1) landslide dynamics—risk assessment technology of rain and earthquake induced rapid landslide; (2) lahar early warning system and emergency response to Merapi volcano; (3) earthquake-triggered landslides; (4) offshore and coastal geo-hazards; geo-hazard zoning and mitigation in Norway; (5) risk assessment on rapid and long runout landslides.

In the opening ceremony, Dr. Lin Zaiguan, a Chinese master of engineering investigation, was awarded the Varnes Medal in praise of his contributions to the research of landslides, especially the loess landslides (Fig. 1).

After the 3-day workshop in Xi’an, there was a 2-day field trip to Lintong and Yan’an of Shanxi province. Participants visited the engineering works and the monitoring system of the landslides constructed by the China Geological Survey.

Yin Yueping, vice-president of ICL and researcher of CGS, concluded this seminar as a high-level one which based on the findings of a several-decade diligent research of each keynote speaker.

This seminar offered an opportunity for geologists from China as well as other countries to share the world’s latest advancements of geohazard
researches. Dr. Yin Yueping announced in advance that “The 3rd World Landslide Forum 2014” will be held in Beijing, China.

Fig. 1 Joint photo of participants during the ICL-CGS seminar with Dr. Zaiguan Lin, 2010 Varnes Medal recipient with flowers