Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An Updated Database and Spatial Distribution of Landslides Triggered by the Milin, Tibet Mw6.4 Earthquake of 18 November 2017

  • Special Issue on Geo-Disasters
  • Published:
Journal of Earth Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Mw6.4 earthquake on November 18, 2017 in Milin County, Nyingchi City, Tibet triggered thousands of landslides. By comparing visual interpretation of satellite images acquired shortly before and after the earthquake and field survey, we have created a new landslide database which includes 3 130 coseismic landslides, each with an area of 0.01 to 4.35 km2. Six factors (elevation, slope angle, slope aspect, lithology, distance from the epicenter and distance from the seismogenic fault) were selected to correlate with the coseismic landslides. In addition, the area and density of landslides were counted as indicators. Results show that most landslides occurred where the elevation is between 2 000–3 000 m, with a 40°–50° slope angle and S, E or SE slope aspect, schist or gneiss lithologies, 10–15 km from the epicenter, and 5 km within the seismogenic fault. Most of the landslides, triggered by the Mw6.4 earthquake, are concentrated near the seismogenic fault rather than at the epicenter, indicating that the seismogenic structure is more influential than the location of the epicenter. Our findings may differ from other landslide database due to temporal image acquisition, interference from weather, and image resolution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References Cited

  • Basharat, M., Rohn, J., Baig, M. S., et al., 2014. Spatial Distribution Analysis of Mass Movements Triggered by the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake in the Northeast Himalayas of Pakistan. Geomorphology, 206: 203–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.09.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, M., Zhou, Y., Zhou, C., et al., 2021. Coseismic Landslides Induced by the 2018 Mw6.6 Iburi, Japan, Earthquake: Spatial Distribution, Key Factors Weight, and Susceptibility Regionalization. Landslides, 18(2): 755–772. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-020-01522-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deng, Q. D., Ran, Y. K., Yang, X. P., et al., 2007. Map of Active Tectonics in China. Seismological Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorum, T., Fan, X. M., van Westen, C. J., et al., 2011. Distribution Pattern of Earthquake-Induced Landslides Triggered by the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. Geomorphology, 133(3/4): 152–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.12.030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, K. H., Zhang, X. P., You, Y., et al., 2019. Landslides and Dammed Lakes Triggered by the 2017 Ms6.9 Milin Earthquake in the Tsangpo Gorge. Landslides, 16(5): 993–1001. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-019-01168-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, R. Q., Li, W. L., 2009a. Analysis on the Number and Density of Landslides Triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquanke, China. Journal of Geological Hazards and Environment Preservation, 20(3): 1–7 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, R. Q., Li, W. L., 2009b. Fault Effect Analysis of Geo-Hazard Triggered by Wenchuan Earthquake. Journal of Engineering Geology, 17(1): 19–28. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1004-9665.2009.01.003 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Iqbal, J., Dai, F. C., Hong, M., et al., 2018. Failure Mechanism and Stability Analysis of an Active Landslide in the Xiangjiaba Reservoir Area, Southwest China. Journal of Earth Science, 29(3): 646–661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-017-0753-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, C. Y., Wang, X. C., He, C. Z., et al., 2019. National 1: 200 000 Digital Geological Map (Public Version) Spatial Database. Geology in China, 46(S1): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.12029/gc2019z101 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C. L., Qi, S. W., Tong, L. Q., et al., 2010. Great Landslides in Himalaya Mountain Area and Their Occurrence with Lithology. Journal of Engineering Geology, 18(5): 669–676 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu, J. Y., Li, W. L., Liu, G., et al., 2019. Spatial Distribution and Susceptibility Analysis of Geological Disasters Triggered by the Milin Earthquake. Journal of Natural Disasters, 28(2): 183–190 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma, S. Y., Xu, C., 2019. Applicability of Two Newmark Models in the Assessment of Coseismic Landslide Hazard and Estimation of Slope-Failure Probability: An Example of the 2008 Wenchuan Mw7.9 Earthquake Affected Area. Journal of Earth Science, 30(5): 1020–1030. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-019-0874-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, S. Y., Xu, C., Shao, X. Y., 2020. Spatial Prediction Strategy for Landslides Triggered by Large Earthquakes Oriented to Emergency Response, Mid-Term Resettlement and Later Reconstruction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 43: 101362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, L. A., Kamp, U., Khattak, G. A., et al., 2008. Landslides Triggered by the 8 October 2005 Kashmir Earthquake. Geomorphology, 94(1/2): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2007.04.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Planet Team, 2017. Planet Application Program Interface: In Space for Life on Earth. San Francisco, CA, USA. [2018-03-06]. https://api.planet.com

  • Qi, W. W., Wei, M. F., Yang, W. T., et al., 2020. Automatic Mapping of Landslides by the ResU-Net. Remote Sensing, 12(15): 2487. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12152487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shao, X. Y., Ma, S. Y., Xu, C., et al., 2019. Planet Image-Based Inventorying and Machine Learning-Based Susceptibility Mapping for the Landslides Triggered by the 2018 Mw6.6 Tomakomai, Japan Earthquake. Remote Sensing, 11(8): 978. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11080978

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, F. T., You, H. C., Liang, X. H., et al., 2019. A Discussion on Seismogenic Fault of the Milin MS6.9 Earthquake, Tibet, and Its Tectonic Attributes. Acta Geoscientica Sinica, 40(1): 213–218 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian, Y. Y., Xu, C., Ma, S. Y., et al., 2019. Inventory and Spatial Distribution of Landslides Triggered by the 8th August 2017 Mw6.5 Jiuzhaigou Earthquake, China. Journal of Earth Science, 30(1): 206–217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-018-0869-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsou, C. Y., Chigira, M., Higaki, D., et al., 2018. Topographic and Geologic Controls on Landslides Induced by the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake and Its Aftershocks: An Example from the Trishuli Valley, Central Nepal. Landslides, 15(5): 953–965. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-017-0913-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, W., Xie, C., Zhou, B. G., et al., 2018. Location of the Mainshock and Aftershock Sequences of the M6.9 Mainling Earthquake, Tibet. Chinese Science Bulletin, 63(15): 1493–1501 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, W. Y., Xu, C., Wang, X. Q., et al., 2020. Landslides Triggered by the 3 August 2014 Ludian (China) Mw6.2 Earthquake: an Updated Inventory and Analysis of Their Spatial Distribution. Journal of Earth Science, 31(4): 853–866. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-020-1297-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Dai, F. C., Xu, X. W., 2010. Wenchuan Earthquake-Induced Landslides: An Overview. Geological Review, 56(6): 860–874 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Ma, S. Y., Tan, Z. B., et al., 2018a. Landslides Triggered by the 2016 Mj7.3 Kumamoto, Japan, Earthquake. Landslides, 15(3): 551–564. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-017-0929-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Tian, Y. Y., Shen, L. L., et al., 2018b. Database of Landslides Triggered by 2015 Gorkha (Nepal) Mw7.8 Earthquake. Seismology and Geology, 40(5): 1115–1128 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Wang, S. Y., Xu, X. W., et al., 2018c. A Panorama of Landslides Triggered by the 8 August 2017 Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan Ms7.0 Earthquake. Seismology and Geology, 40(1): 232–260 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Xu, X. W., Pourghasemi, H. R., et al., 2014a. Volume, Gravitational Potential Energy Reduction, and Regional Centroid Position Change in the Wake of Landslides Triggered by the 14 April 2010 Yushu Earthquake of China. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 7(6): 2129–2138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-1020-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Xu, X. W., Shen, L. L., et al., 2014b. Inventory of Landslides Triggered by the 2014 Ms6.5 Ludian Earthquake and Its Implications on Several Earthquake Parameters. Seismology and Geology, 36(4): 1186–1203 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Xu, X. W., Shyu, J. B. H., 2015a. Database and Spatial Distribution of Landslides Triggered by the Lushan, China Mw6.6 Earthquake of 20 April 2013. Geomorphology, 248: 77–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.07.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Xu, X. W., Shyu, J. B. H., et al., 2015b. Landslides Triggered by the 20 April 2013 Lushan, China, Mw6.6 Earthquake from Field Investigations and Preliminary Analyses. Landslides, 12(2): 365–385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-014-0546-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Xu, X. W., Yu, G. H., 2012. Study on the Characteristics, Mechanism, and Spatial Distribution of Yushu Earthquake Triggered Landslides. Seismology and Geology, 34(1): 47–62 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, J. X., Xu, C., He, X. L., et al., 2020. Spatial Distribution of Seismic Landslides in the Areas of 1927 Gulang M8.0 Earthquake. Earthquake Research in China, 34(1): 5–28. https://doi.org/10.19743/j.cnki.0891-4176.202001002

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, X. W., Xu, C., 2021. Natural Hazards Research: An Eternal Subject of Human Survival and Development. Natural Hazards Research, 1(1): 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nhres.2020.12.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, J. Y., Bai, L., Li, G. H., et al., 2017. Seismicity in the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis and Its Tectonic Implications. Recent Developments in World Seismology, 47(6): 12–18 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, B., Chen, F., Xu, C., 2020. Landslide Detection Based on Contour-Based Deep Learning Framework in Case of National Scale of Nepal in 2015. Computers & Geosciences, 135: 104388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2019.104388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, P. F., Xu, C., Ma, S. Y., et al., 2020. Automatic Extraction of Seismic Landslides in Large Areas with Complex Environments Based on Deep Learning: An Example of the 2018 Iburi Earthquake, Japan. Remote Sensing, 12(23): 3992. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12233992

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, B., Li, W. L., Wang, Y. S., et al., 2019. Landslides Triggered by the Ms6.9 Nyingchi Earthquake, China (18 November 2017): Analysis of the Spatial Distribution and Occurrence Factors. Landslides, 16(4): 765–776. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-019-01146-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, S. H., Chen, G. Q., Fang, L. G., 2016a. Distribution Pattern of Landslides Triggered by the 2014 Ludian Earthquake of China: Implications for Regional Threshold Topography and the Seismogenic Fault Identification. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 5(4): 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi5040046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, J. W., Lu, P. Y., Hao, M. H., 2016b. Landslides Triggered by the 3 August 2014 Ludian Earthquake in China: Geological Properties, Geomorphologic Characteristics and Spatial Distribution Analysis. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 7(4): 1219–1241. https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2015.1075162

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2018YFC1504703). The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-021-1433-z.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Natural Hazards, Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing, 100085, China

    Yuandong Huang, Chong Xu & Xiaolong Zhang

  2. School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Yuandong Huang & Chunji Xue

  3. Key Laboratory of Compound and Chained Natural Hazards Dynamics (Under Construction), Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing, 100085, China

    Chong Xu

  4. Sichuan Earthquake Agency, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Shiyuan Wang

Authors
  1. Yuandong Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chong Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xiaolong Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chunji Xue
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shiyuan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chong Xu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Huang, Y., Xu, C., Zhang, X. et al. An Updated Database and Spatial Distribution of Landslides Triggered by the Milin, Tibet Mw6.4 Earthquake of 18 November 2017. J. Earth Sci. 32, 1069–1078 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-021-1433-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-021-1433-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation