Some geohazards associated with the 8.0 wenchuan earthquake on may 12, 2008

K. T. Chau

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingChapter in an edited book (as author)Academic 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 Longmen-shan 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. In this paper, some earthquake-induced geohazards will be summarized, including the huge Niu-juan Gully rock avalanche at the epicenter, theWangjiayan 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
PublisherCRC Press
Pages65-72
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9780203871041
ISBN (Print)9780415804820
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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