The 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and Intense Post‐Earthquake Precipitation: Their Combined Impact on Sedimentation in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.70125
• Publication Date: 2025-04-10T05:36:36Z
• Authors: Shangwu Liu; Zhili Wang; Dayu Wang; Peng Zhang; Shengfa Yang; Jiang Hu; Zhicheng Xu
• Keywords: Three gorges; Sedimentation

ABSTRACT Large earthquakes trigger catastrophic geological hazards, which can impact the runoff and sediment transport not only in affected basins but also downstream channels. This is particularly true for Wenchuan Earthquake, struck on May 12, 2008, Longmen Mountain region. In this study, data were collected from representative hydrological stations, statistical methods along with Sediment Budget Model used to investigate combined of Earthquake subsequent intense precipitation load changes rivers by it, as well sedimentation amounts Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). The results revealed an obvious increase at stations Fu, Tuo Min Rivers. Compared 1999–2007, annual average Rivers increased 102.6%–421.9% 2008 2020, except Gaochang Station. post‐Wenchuan events July 2013, 2018, August 2020 led substantial increases within TGR, estimated be approximately 156.9%, 103.8% 80.1% higher than normal years. Based yield removal earthquake‐induced fine‐grained projected take 33 These findings facilitate understanding loads Upper Yangtze River Basin management TGR other similar basins.