Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2009, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (3): 306-326.

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Basal characteristics and formation mechanisms of geological hazards triggered by the  May 12, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake with a moment magnitude of 8.0

  

  1. 1Key Laboratory of Neotectonic Movement ＆ Geohazard, Ministry of Land and Resources, Beijing 100081, China
    2Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Beijing 100081, China
    3China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Land and Resources, Beijing 100083, China
  • Online:2009-05-01 Published:2009-05-01

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Abstract:

Abstract:  The Ms 80 May 12, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake triggered landslides, rock collapses and debris flows at more than 18 000 sites,  which directly caused about 20 000 fatalities. Landslides, rock collapses and debris flows were distributed along active faults, rivers, roads, highways and railways,  forming geological hazards chains.The peak ground acceleration is the strongest influence parameter, the second is topography,  and bedrock geology,  geomorphology, human activity are factors controlling earthquakeinduced landslides also. Rupture geneses of landslides and rock collapses clustered at or near ridge crests, and at convex knickpoint within ridge flanks, and it is found out that this topography had a strong effect on seismic waves, giving rise to a significant amplification of peak ground accelerations at those sites.We give a new model of rupture of landslides and rock collapses triggered by strong earthquake in mountainous area.

Key words: Key words: Wenchuan earthquake; geological hazards triggered by Wenchuan earthquake; charateristics and formation mechanics of geological hazards

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