Long-Term Landslide Evolution and Restoration After the Wenchuan Earthquake Revealed by Time-Series Remote Sensing Images

Abstract

A powerful earthquake, particularly in mountainous regions, has the ability to trigger an immense number of landslides, resulting in severe damages. However, effectively assessing their recoveries in the years following the mainshocks has not yet been attempted due to the lack of continuously updated landslide inventories. Therefore, we proposed a novel detection framework utilizing time-series Landsat images from 2000 to 2021, which enabled us to achieve a long-term landslide inventory in the seismic zone for the first time. The response patterns of landslide development under different conditions were explored in detail. The restoration models were quantitatively established, revealing that the recoveries of post-earthquake landslide activity and vital environmental indicators require a range from ∼5.29 to ∼25.00 years. This pioneering research is highly beneficial in comprehending the impact of earthquake-induced hazards on short-term land surface damage and long-term ecological equilibrium.