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Preventing and limiting exposure to geo-hazards: Some lessons from two mountain villages destroyed by the Wenchuan earthquake

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Abstract

This paper examines the experiences of two mountain communities-Yinchanggou and Donghekou in the Wenchuan earthquake of May 12, 2008, where Yinchanggou’s tourism economy and natural park system was destroyed and Donghekou was buried by a landslide. We conducted research surveys on both the communities, interviewing survivors and local officials, and observed the destruction/reconstruction, geological, and living conditions. We suggest that protracted educational processes be put into place so that mountain communities possess a knowledge base to consider long-term disaster prevention when building the economy in the fragile and geo-hazardous conditions of the Longmenshan. The Donghekou Earthquake Ruins Park is an exemplar of turning disaster into sustainable, safe development for small mountain villages.

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Correspondence to Laurence Svirchev.

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Svirchev, L., Li, Y., Yan, L. et al. Preventing and limiting exposure to geo-hazards: Some lessons from two mountain villages destroyed by the Wenchuan earthquake. J. Mt. Sci. 8, 190–199 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-011-2095-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-011-2095-6

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