Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Source characteristics and dynamics of the October 2018 Baige landslide revealed by broadband seismograms

  • Recent Landslides
  • Published:
Landslides Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The catastrophic Baige landslide occurred at 22:05:36 (Beijing time, UTC+8) on the 10th of October 2018 in Tibet, China. The large and rapid landslide generated strong long-period seismic signals that were recorded by broadband seismic stations. In this study, we inverted the long-period seismic data from five broadband seismic stations at distances of 108 to 255 km from the event to obtain a time series of forces that the landslide exerted on the Earth. Then, we calculated the spectrogram of the vertical component of the seismic signal generated by the event, recorded at the closest broadband seismic station (GZI). This spectrogram, combined with the force-time function and the field investigation, described the dynamic process of the landslide that could be divided into three intervals. For the first interval, assuming that the rockslide can be regarded as a sliding block, we estimated the average slope-parallel acceleration of the sliding materials at 1.08 m/s2, and the average friction coefficient at the base of the rockslide at 0.47. In the second and third intervals, the rockslide had converted to granular debris. The direction and timing of the force correspond to the different points in the sliding path of the granular debris. We used this correlation to estimate the speeds of the granular debris. This study demonstrates that the seismic signal generated by the landslide provides an effective method for estimating the dynamic properties of the landslide.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allstadt K (2013) Extracting source characteristics and dynamics of the August 2010 Mount Meager landslide from broadband seismograms. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 118(3):1472–1490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brodsky EE, Gordeev E, Kanamori H (2003) Landslide basal friction as measured by seismic waves. Geophys Res Lett 30(24):285–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burtin A, Hovius N, Milodowski DT, Chen YG, Wu YM, Lin CW, Chen H, Emberson R, Leu PL (2013) Continuous catchment-scale monitoring of geomorphic processes with a 2-D seismological array. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 118(3):1956–1974

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CH, Chao WA, Wu YM, Zhao L, Chen YG, Ho WY, Lin TL, Kuo KH, Chang JM (2013) A seismological study of landquakes using a real-time broad-band seismic network. Geophys J Int 194(2):885–898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dammeier F, Moore JR, Hammer C, Haslinger F, Loew S (2016) Automatic detection of alpine rockslides in continuous seismic data using hidden Markov models. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 121(2):351–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deparis J, Jongmans D, Cotton F, Baillet L, Thouvenot F, Hantz D (2008) Analysis of rock-fall and rock-fall avalanche seismograms in the French Alps. Bull Seismol Soc Am 98(4):1781–1796

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekström G, Stark CP (2013) Simple scaling of catastrophic landslide dynamics. Science 339(6126):1416–1419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Favreau P, Mangeney A, Lucas A, Crosta G, Bouchut F (2010) Numerical modeling of landquakes. Geophys Res Lett 37(15):L15305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guthrie RH, Friele P, Allstadt K, Roberts N, Evans SG, Delaney KB, Roche D, Clague JJ, Jakob M (2012) The 6 August 2010 Mount Meager rock slide-debris flow, Coast Mountains, British Columbia: characteristics, dynamics, and implications for hazard and risk assessment. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 12(5):1277–1294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helmstetter A, Garambois S (2010) Seismic monitoring of Séchilienne rockslide (French Alps): analysis of seismic signals and their correlation with rainfalls. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 115:F03016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hibert C, Mangeney A, Grandjean G, Shapiro NM (2011) Slope instabilities in dolomieu crater, réunion island: from seismic signals to rockfall characteristics. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 116:F04032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hibert C, Ekström G, Stark CP (2014) Dynamics of the Bingham canyon mine landslides from seismic signal analysis. Geophys Res Lett 41(13):4535–4541

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hibert C, Ekström G, Stark CP (2017) The relationship between bulk-mass momentum and short-period seismic radiation in catastrophic landslides. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 122(5):1201–1215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang CJ, Yin HY, Chen CY, Yeh CH, Wang CL (2007) Ground vibrations produced by rock motions and debris flows. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 112:F02014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iverson RM (2012) Elementary theory of bed-sediment entrainment by debris flows and avalanches. J Geophys Res 117:F03006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iverson RM, Reid ME, LaHusen RG (1997) Debris-flow mobilization from landslides1. Annu Rev Earth Planet Sci 25(1):85–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Julian BR, Miller AD, Foulger GR (1998) Non-double-couple earthquakes. Rev Geophys 36(4):525–549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanamori H, Given JW (1982) Analysis of long-period seismic waves excited by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens—a terrestrial monopole? J Geophys Res Solid Earth 87(B7):5422–5432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanamori H, Given JW, Lay T (1984) Analysis of seismic body waves excited by the Mount St. Helens eruption of May 18. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 89(B3):1856–1866

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennett BLN, Engdahl ER, Buland R (1995) Constraints on seismic velocities in the Earth from traveltimes. Geophys J R Astron Soc 122(1):108–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Rocca M, Galluzzo D, Saccorotti G, Tinti S, Cimini GB, Del Pezzo E (2004) Seismic signals associated with landslides and with a tsunami at Stromboli Volcano, Italy. Bull Seismol Soc Am 94(5):1850–1867

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy C, Mangeney A, Bonilla F, Hibert C, Calder ES, Smith PJ (2015) Friction weakening in granular flows deduced from seismic records at the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 120(11):7536–7557

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin CH, Kumagai H, Ando M, Shin TC (2010) Detection of landslides and submarine slumps using broadband seismic networks. Geophys Res Lett 37(22):333–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McSaveney MJ (2002) Recent rockfalls and rock avalanches in Mount Cook national park, New Zealand. Rev Eng Geol 15:35–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moretti L, Mangeney A, Capdeville Y, Stutzmann E, Huggel C, Schneider D, Bouchut F (2012) Numerical modeling of the Mount Steller landslide flow history and of the generated long period seismic waves. Geophys Res Lett 39(16):276–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moretti L, Allstadt K, Mangeney A, Capdeville Y, Stutzmann E, Bouchut F (2015) Numerical modeling of the Mount Meager landslide constrained by its force history derived from seismic data. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 120(4):2579–2599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norris RD (1994) Seismicity of rockfalls and avalanches at three Cascade Range volcanoes: implications for seismic detection of hazardous mass movements. Bull Seismol Soc Am 84(6):1925–1939

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogiso M, Yomogida K (2015) Estimation of locations and migration of debris flows on Izu-Oshima Island, Japan, on 16 October 2013 by the distribution of high frequency seismic amplitudes. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 298:15–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider D, Bartelt P, Caplan-Auerbach J, Christen M, Huggel C, McArdell BW (2010) Insights into rock-ice avalanche dynamics by combined analysis of seismic recordings and a numerical avalanche model. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 115:F04026

    Google Scholar 

  • Suriñach E, Vilajosana I, Khazaradze G, Biescas B, Furdada G, Vilaplana JM (2005) Seismic detection and characterization of landslides and other mass movements. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 5(6):791–798

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vilajosana I, Surinach E, Abellán A, Khazaradze G, Garcia D, Llosa J (2008) Rockfall induced seismic signals: case study in Montserrat, Catalonia. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 8(4):805–812

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang R (1999) A simple orthonormalization method for stable and efficient computation of Green’s functions. Bull Seismol Soc Am 89(3):733–741

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamada M, Matsushi Y, Chigira M, Mori J (2012) Seismic recordings of landslides caused by typhoon Talas (2011), Japan. Geophys Res Lett 39(13):342–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamada M, Kumagai H, Matsushi Y, Matsuzawa T (2013) Dynamic landslide processes revealed by broadband seismic records. Geophys Res Lett 40(12):2998–3002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng XF, Ouyang B, Zhang DN, Yao ZX, Liang JH, Zheng J (2009) Technical system construction of data backup centre for China Seismograph Network and the data support to researches on the Wenchuan earthquake. Chin J Geophys 52(5):1412–1417 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng XF, Yao ZX, Liang JH, Zheng J (2010) The role played and opportunities provided by IGP DMC of China National Seismic Network in Wenchuan earthquake disaster relief and researches. Bull Seismol Soc Am 100(5B):286–2872. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120090257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmer VL, Sitar N (2015) Detection and location of rock falls using seismic and infrasound sensors. Eng Geol 193:49–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Waveform data for this study air provided by Data Management Centre of China National Seismic Network at Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration.

Funding

This work was supported by the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41790433), the NSFC-ICIMOD Collaborative Project (Grant No. 41661144041), and Key Research and Development Projects of Sichuan Province (2017SZ0041).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Surface Process, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Zhen Zhang, Siming He, Wei Liu, Heng Liang, Shuaixing Yan, Yu Deng & Zheng Chen

  2. Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Zhen Zhang, Siming He, Wei Liu, Heng Liang, Shuaixing Yan, Yu Deng & Zheng Chen

  3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Zhen Zhang, Siming He, Heng Liang, Shuaixing Yan, Yu Deng, Xiuqiang Bai & Zheng Chen

  4. Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Siming He & Xiuqiang Bai

  5. Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Xiuqiang Bai

Authors
  1. Zhen Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Siming He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wei Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Heng Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shuaixing Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yu Deng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Xiuqiang Bai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Zheng Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Siming He.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, Z., He, S., Liu, W. et al. Source characteristics and dynamics of the October 2018 Baige landslide revealed by broadband seismograms. Landslides 16, 777–785 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-019-01145-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-019-01145-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation