Characteristics of Landslides Induced by the Great Wenchuan Earthquake

The great Wenchuan (汶川) earthquake induced a large quantity of landslides. They are widely distributed and caused tremendous damages. The sliding mechanism and characteristics of these earthquake-induced landslides are different from those of conventional gravity landslides. Their occurrences are apparently controlled by the powerful earthquake, and they are characterized by high potential energy sliding and ejection sliding. In this article, the earthquake-induced landslides are classified, the characteristics of the sliding and destruction of these landslides are described, and the relationship between the earthquake and the landslides is analyzed. The Donghekou (东河口) landslide is used as an example to characterize fast-moving long-distance earthquake-induced ejection slippage and landslide. This research suggests that many phenomena and issues related to earthquake-induced landslide are beyond current recognition and knowledge, and new methodologies should be adopted to consider the effect of the earthquake as the paramount factor in the development of landslides. Furthermore, the study of fast-moving long-distance earthquake-induced landslides can also shed light on the formation of old and ancient landslides.