[Significance] In the context of intensifying global climate change, the escalating threat posed by geological hazard chains necessitates a comprehensive and systematic quantitative review of this research domain. A thorough synthesis of existing literature is imperative to elucidate the current state of knowledge and to clarify the research landscape surrounding this emerging and complex challenge. [Progress] Utilizing bibliometric methodologies, this study analyzes 784 relevant publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from 1989 to 2024. It constructs a four-dimensional analytical framework that systematically examines publication trends, collaborative networks among countries and institutions, the influence of academic journals, and the evolution of research themes. [Conclusions and Prospects] The principal findings are summarized as follows: (1) The evolution of research exhibits a distinct three-phase trajectory: a germination phase (1989—2000), a development phase (2001—2012), and a phase of rapid growth (2013—2024). This progression adheres to a "technology empowerment–case validation" composite driving model, wherein major catastrophic events provide critical empirical scenarios, while breakthroughs in observational and predictive technologies—such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—fundamentally determine the depth, scope, and timing of investigative advances. (2) China dominates the research output in this field, contributing 449 publications, which is approximately nine times that of the second-ranked United States. The Chinese Academy of Sciences emerges as the central and most prolific institution. Analysis of international co-authorship reveals a multi-polar collaborative network with China, the United States, and the United Kingdom as its primary hubs. (3) The journals Landslides, Natural Hazards, and Engineering Geology form the core cluster exerting the greatest academic influence within the discipline, as evidenced by metrics such as the h-index and citation impact. (4) A profound paradigm shift is evident: research has transitioned from analyzing isolated hazards to investigating multi-hazard couplings; from conducting static susceptibility assessments to performing dynamic process simulations of chain evolution; and from relying on empirical description to developing "data-driven + physics-constrained" intelligent prediction models. Looking forward, future research endeavors should prioritize two key avenues: firstly, the innovation and enhancement of research methodologies and technologies, including the development of hybrid intelligent systems that integrate data-driven approaches with physical mechanisms, the establishment of integrated "full-chain" observation systems combining remote sensing and ground-based sensors, and the creation of digital twin platforms for scenario simulation and risk projection. Secondly, increased attention should be directed towards region-specific studies of particular hazard chain types and unique triggering contexts, such as long-term post-seismic chains (earthquake→landslide clusters→river damming→outburst floods→debris flows), hazard chains in alpine/permafrost regions (freeze-thaw cycles→thaw settlement/thermal erosion slumps→debris flows/outburst floods), interactions between wildfires and subsequent geological hazards (forest fire→soil hydrophobicity→erosion→shallow landslides→debris flows), chains in karst and dissolution-prone areas (collapse→ground fissures→landslides/subsidence→water contamination), and chains induced by reservoir operations or engineering activities (water level fluctuation→bank slope instability→surge waves→secondary disasters). The insights derived from this study furnish a robust empirical basis for a deeper comprehension of the developmental trajectory of the geological hazard chain discipline and offer strategic guidance for shaping future research priorities and fostering international collaborative initiatives.