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Landslide hazard cascades can trigger earthquakes

Earth Sciences

Landslide hazard cascades can trigger earthquakes

Z. Zhang, M. Liu, et al.

This groundbreaking research by Zhen Zhang, Min Liu, Yen Joe Tan, Fabian Walter, Siming He, Małgorzata Chmiel, and Jinrong Su explores the intriguing question of whether surface hazards can trigger earthquakes. The study reveals a significant correlation between landslide-dammed lakes on the Tibetan Plateau and increased seismic activity as water levels peak, showcasing the complex relationship between geological phenomena.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
While earthquakes are known to trigger surface hazards, the reverse—whether surface hazards can trigger earthquakes—is less explored. This study investigates the 2018 Baige landslide hazard cascades on the Tibetan Plateau, which created landslide-dammed lakes (LDLs). Using machine-learning and cross-correlation methods, a statistically significant increase in earthquake activity (local magnitude ≤ 2.6) was found as the LDL approached peak water level, returning to background levels after dam breach. About 90% of the seismicity occurred where Coulomb stress increased due to direct loading and pore pressure diffusion. Modeling suggests that earthquake triggering by LDLs may be a ubiquitous phenomenon, highlighting the bidirectional interaction between earthquakes and surface hazards.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Apr 08, 2024
Authors
Zhen Zhang, Min Liu, Yen Joe Tan, Fabian Walter, Siming He, Małgorzata Chmiel, Jinrong Su
Tags
earthquake triggering
landslide-dammed lakes
Tibetan Plateau
seismic activity
Coulomb stress
machine learning
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