articleEngineering GeologyAug 20, 2019HYBRID OA

Geohazards in the three Gorges Reservoir Area, China – Lessons learned from decades of research

China University of Geosciences · Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection · +2 more institutions

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Abstract

The impoundment of the 660-km long reservoir behind the huge Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydropower station, increased regional seismicity and reactivated severe geohazards. Before the reservoir filling was initiated in 2003, the region had approximately two earthquakes per year with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.9; after the full impoundment in 2008, approximately 14 earthquakes per year occurred with magnitudes between 3.0 and 5.4. In addition, hundreds of landslides were reactivated and are now in a state of intermittent creep. Many landslides exhibit step-like annual pattern of displacement in response to quasi-regular variations in seasonal rainfall and reservoir level. Additional problems…

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Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Landslide
  • Geology
  • Three gorges
  • Hydropower
  • Warning system
  • Induced seismicity
  • Seismology
  • Geotechnical engineering
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