A Study of Reservoir-induced Earthquake in the Three Gorges Area

Li Ping1、 Li Yuanjun2、 Yang Meie1

Strategic Study of CAE ›› 2005, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (6) : 14-20.

PDF(8943 KB)
PDF(8943 KB)
Strategic Study of CAE ›› 2005, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (6) : 14-20.
Academician Forum

A Study of Reservoir-induced Earthquake in the Three Gorges Area

  • Li Ping1、 Li Yuanjun2、 Yang Meie1

Author information +
History +

Abstract

The Three-Gorges Hydropower Project on Yangtze River was officially impounded on June 1, 2003. Then, more than two thousand microearthquakes abruptly occurred along the River in Badong County of Hubei Province from June 7, 2003, and attracted great attention. After the completion of the second and third-phase construction of the project, the water level will raise up to 156 m and 175 m, respectively. Could it trigger stronger shock? Seismotectonic analysis of the distribution of several active faults and their intersections and seismogenic capacity in the eastern part of the Three-Gorges Reservoir area suggests that two potential seismic focus zones located in Badong and Xiangxi may be hit by reservoir-induced earthguake of upper-limit magnitude about 5.5, and the seismic intensity in epicentral zone will be Ⅶ°~Ⅷ°. Meanwhile, a large number of landslides will be triggered to move and, hence, heavy geologic hazards will occur.

Keywords

Three-Gorges Reservoir area / reservoir-induced earthquake / geologic hazards

Cite this article

Download citation ▾
Li Ping,Li Yuanjun,Yang Meie. A Study of Reservoir-induced Earthquake in the Three Gorges Area. Strategic Study of CAE, 2005, 7(6): 14‒20
AI Summary AI Mindmap
PDF(8943 KB)

Accesses

Citations

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/