Some geohazards associated with the 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008

Kam Tim Chau

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

Abstract

The May 12, 2008 Great Wenchuan Earthquake has resulted in more than 69,227 deaths, 17,923 people are listed as missing, and 374,643 were injured (up to September 22, 2008). Along the Central Longmenshan fault, which generated this great earthquake, the earthquake intensity (also called macrointensity) at the towns of Yingxiu and Beichuan County (Qushan Town) is XI on Chinese Intensity Scale (similar to the MMI scale). The author of this paper made two separate excursions to the affected areas in Sichuan in May and in July and August. Inthis paper, some earthquake-induced geohazards willbesummarized, including the huge Niu-juan Gully rock avalanche at the epicenter, the Wangjiayan landslide and Jingjiashan rock avalanche at Qushan Town, the surface ruptures at Bailu, and Xiaoyudong. Discussions will be made on the geohazard-associated fatality and damages. The paper concludes with lessons learnt from these earthquake-induced-geohazards, including proper site-assessment before town planning.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPrediction and Simulation Methods for Geohazard Mitigation - Proceedings of the International Symposium on Prediction and Simulation Methods for Geohazard Mitigation, IS-KYOTO 2009
Pages65-72
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2009
EventInternational Symposium on Prediction and Simulation Methods for Geohazard Mitigation, IS-KYOTO 2009 - Kyoto, Japan
Duration: 25 May 200927 May 2009

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium on Prediction and Simulation Methods for Geohazard Mitigation, IS-KYOTO 2009
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityKyoto
Period25/05/0927/05/09

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Modelling and Simulation

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