Characteristics of Landslides Induced by the Great Wenchuan Earthquake

• Published in: Journal of earth science (Wuhan, China) China), 2010-02, Vol.21 (1), p.104-113
• Main Author: 唐辉明 贾洪彪 胡新丽 李德威 熊承仁
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biogeosciences; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth science; Earth Sciences; Earthquakes; Geochemistry; Geology; Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences; Gravity; Landslides; Landslides & mudslides; Potential energy; Seismic activity; 地震滑坡; 大地震; 山体滑坡; 汶川; 滑动机制; 特征描述; 诱发滑坡; 高能量
• ISSN: 1674-487X; 1867-111X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12583-010-0008-1

The great Wenchuan （汶川） earthquake induced a large quantity of landslides. They are widely distributed and caused tremendous damages. The sliding mechanism and characteristics of these earthquake-induced landslides are different from those of conventional gravity landslides. Their occurrences are apparently controlled by the powerful earthquake, and they are characterized by high potential energy sliding and ejection sliding. In this article, the earthquake-induced landslides are classified, the characteristics of the sliding and destruction of these landslides are described, and the rela- tionship between the earthquake and the landslides is analyzed. The Donghekou （东河口） landslide is used as an example to characterize fast-moving long-distance earthquake-induced ejection slippage and landslide. This research suggests that many phenomena and issues related to earthquake-induced land- slide are beyond current recognition and knowledge, and new methodologies should be adopted to consider the effect of the earthquake as the paramount factor in the development of landslides. Furthermore, the study of fast-moving long-distance earthquake-induced landslides can also shed light on the formation of old and ancient landslides.