Tectonic analysis of Wenchuan earthquake collapse and landslide development characteristics and spatial distribution law

Abstract

Collapses and landslides induced by Wenchuan earthquake concentrated in the hanging wall of causative fault, and high-density areas mainly located in the 30km radius buffer zone of the causative fault (Yingxiu - Beichuan fault). And its' mechanism and characteristics showed collapses bodies launched, landslides bodies long-distance and throwing slided which were different from normal gravity slumps. This paper analysises the development characteristics and spatial distribution of earthquake collapses and landslides from the deep structure and its shallow surface response by geological survey and interpretation of the geophysical data and remote sensing data. The research suggests that many phenomena and problems related to the Wenchuan earthquake collapses and landslides are far beyond people's previous cognition, and its development and distribution characteristics are closely related to lower crust flow of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and the conversion between its horizontal and vertical movement, hence the mechanism of the earthquake is the key issue of earthquake collapse and landslide development. © 2012 Springer-Verlag GmbH.