Debris Flows and Landslides - River Dynamics and Integrated River Management - page 214

4.2.2.3 Stability of Landslide Dams
Wang et al. (2010b) studied the stability of landslide dams by field investigations. Figure 4.26 shows
the study area. The landslide dams triggered by the Wenchuan earthquake are mostly around the
Longmenshan Faults (dashed lines in the lower map). Tectonic motion and uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet
Plateau have caused 73 earthquakes on the plateau and its margins over 267 years in the Qing Dynasty
(SSB-FU, 1983). Numerous landslide dams triggered by the earthquakes have failed, remained, or been
partly-preserved, and have already developed into knickpoints. To study the long term stability of
landslide dams and their influence on fluvial processes, landslide dams that occurred in ancient times on
the plateau and its margin also were investigated. Figure 4.26 shows the rivers and locations of 91
landslide dams created during the Wenchuan Earthquake around the Longmenshan Faults (National
Panel of Wenchuan Earthquake, 2008), and ancient landslide dams (failed or preserved) on the Jinsha
River, Yarlong Tsangpo, Yigong Tsangpo, Yalong River, source reach of the Yellow River, and Jiuzhai
Creek on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
Fig. 4.26 Study area and landslide dams created by earthquakes around the Longmenshan Faults (dashed lines) and
on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau