Rock slope failure (RSF) occurs in different contexts but is typically reported either as (i) single-category inventories or (ii) single-site geotechnical monographs. Few studies have sought to evaluate the spatial incidence of all modes of RSF conjointly, and to infer scenarios of regional landscape evolution from observed patterns of cumulative rock slope overstressing. Here we present the results of a systematic inventory of rock avalanches, rockfalls, rockslides, and gravitational rock slope deformations in the Western Alps (France, Italy, Switzerland) conducted using satellite imagery made available in Google Earth as a detection tool, and aided by preliminary ground-truth checks. The inventory totals 1416 montane RSFs, impacting 9.1% of the study area. Underpinned by GIS tools, the study further examines the spatial distribution of RSF with consideration for (i) predisposing factors (typically: lithology, geological structure), and (ii) preparatory factors (geomorphological process regimes that drives a given slope segment to the point of failure). The latter encompass slower variables (e.g., long-term crustal stress regime, cumulative residence time above equilibrium line altitudes) and faster variables (e.g., short-span glacier-related stresses, permafrost thaw, seismicity). RSF density patterns helped to define seven RSF super-hotspots (large diversity of RSF modes, up to 50% of displaced rock masses/unit area), which define the most intensely overstressed areas of the Western Alps. These super-hotspots occur at sites where highly dynamic, thick, warm-based glaciers above the equilibrium line either intersected (middle Maurienne) or followed the strike of (middle Isère) N-S bands of highly susceptible lithologies and structures during the Quaternary. The widespread incidence of rock slope deformation (cumulative area: 1760 km², i.e., nearly 3 times the total of the other three RSF categories combined) appears further correlated with the low tectonic activity of the orogen and with its areas dominated by an extensional tectonic regime west of the Penninic Frontal Thrust. This contrasts with seismically active orogens, e.g., New Zealand's Southern Alps, where rock slope deformation is scarce compared to rock avalanches and shallow landslides.

岩质边坡破坏（RSF）发生在不同的情况下，但通常报告为（i）单类清单或（ii）单点岩土技术专着。很少有研究试图对RSF所有模式的空间发生率进行联合评估，并从累积的岩石边坡超应力观测模式推断区域景观演变的情景。在这里，我们介绍了使用Google Earth中提供的卫星图像作为检测工具对西阿尔卑斯山（法国，意大利，瑞士）的岩石雪崩，崩塌，岩石滑坡和重力岩坡变形进行系统清查的结果，并借助初步的地面真相检查。清单共有1416个山地RSF，占研究区域的9.1％。在GIS工具的支持下，这项研究还考虑了（i）诱发因素（通常是：岩性，地质结构）和（ii）预备因素（将给定的边坡段驱动到破坏点的地貌过程机制），从而研究了RSF的空间分布。后者包括较慢的变量（例如，长期地壳应力状态，高于平衡线高度的累积停留时间）和较快的变量（例如，与冰川的短跨度相关的应力，多年冻土融化，地震活动性）。RSF密度模式帮助定义了七个RSF超级热点（RSF模式的多样性很大，最多占位移岩石质量/单位面积的50％），这些区域定义了西阿尔卑斯山最紧张的地区。这些超级热点发生在高度动态，密集，第四纪期间，平衡线以上的暖基冰川相交（莫里埃纳中部）或跟随高度敏感岩性和构造的（伊泽尔中部）NS带撞击。岩石边坡变形的广泛发生（累计面积：1760年） km ²，即，是其他三个RSF类别总和的近3倍）似乎与造山带的低构造活动及其与Penninic额叶逆冲断层以西的伸展构造政权主导的地区进一步相关。这与地震活跃的造山带形成鲜明对比，例如新西兰的南阿尔卑斯山，与雪崩和浅层滑坡相比，岩石边坡变形很少。