Detailed　field　investigations　at　the　Xiaguiwa　landslide　in　the　southeastern　Tibetan　Plateau　(China)　demonstrated　how　deep-seated　buckling　deformation　can　develop　in　a　rapid　slope　failure.　The　results　suggest　that　there　exist　three　distinct　phases　during　the　buckling　failure　process:　the　moderately　deformed　phase,　the　heavily　deformed　phase　and　the　failure　phase.　The　Xiaguiwa　landslide　finally　blocked　the　Jinsha　River,　formed　a　dammed　lake　and　produced　lacustrine　deposits;　these　results　represent　common　post-failure　features　associated　with　a　rapid　large　landslide　in　the　high-relief　region　in　the　Tibetan　Plateau.