The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake induced landslides and associated induced debris flows

Abstract

The 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake (Mw = 8.0) induced widespread and large scale landslidesover an area of about 50,OOO km', some of which al$o produced many fatalitiesand extensive damage to housing settlements and irrigation channels, In addition, highways and bridges were destroyed, and the city of Wenchuan and many other towns became isolated.The Wenchuan earthquake produced largeamounts of Ioosematerial (landslide clebris)thatare still present on the steep slopes and in the gullies.This loosematerial creates an important hazard as subsequent rainstorm can promote the development of devastatingdebris flows. Thispaper reviews and presentsa preliminary study of the di$tributienof landslides induced by the Wenchuan earthquake in China, TWo typical areas, the Beichuan and Qingchuanarea, were selected as pilot studies. The paper furtheridentifyand examine the debris flows that occurred in the Beichuan, Longchi, Yingxiu, and Qingpingarea and analyzes the triggering rainfall characteristics.