Landslide susceptibility of the Xiangjiaba Reservoir area associated with the Yaziba Fault

Landslides along active fault zones are important hazards during and after earthquakes. They can also cause secondary disasters such as surges, creation of landslide dams, and flooding, especially in reservoir areas. This study analyzed landslide susceptibility of the Xiangjiaba Reservoir area associated with the Yaziba Fault. Analysis of permanent displacement and failure probabilities were used for the regional assessment. Ground motion attenuation relations were selected and compared to produce a peak acceleration map using the Yaziba Fault as the seismic source. Geotechnical parameters were determined by classification of rock groups and geomorphic data were calculated using GIS tools. A distribution of the permanent displacements and a failure probability map was generated. According to the peak ground acceleration (PGA) map, the C-B model was adopted to present the actual conditions of PGA in greater detail while local specific models are more appropriate if there is little measured data. Results indicated larger displacement values and failures are distributed on both sides of the fault, especially in the hanging wall. The feasibility of the research approach was verified using historic earthquake-induced landslides.