Abstract: Translational landslide is a special mode of slope instability. Its slip surface is of extremely gentle angle or even counter-inclined,and its instability mechanism is inconsistent with traditional limit equilibrium theory. Research on the translational landslide hazard and the risk mitigation measures is of great significance. In this paper,the recent research findings and advances in China and abroad are reviewed from five aspects main features of translational landslide,formation conditions of translational landslide,formation mechanism of translational landslide,threshold criterion of translational landslide and risk mitigation associated with translational landslide. On the basis of the critical review,problems in the current researches are examined. The trend and prospect of the research are also discussed from the above five aspects.

Key words: translational landslide, formation mechanism, risk mitigation measures, threshold criterion