Abstract
Major mountain earthquakes could have long-term impacts on post-seismic landslide activities. Yet, we have limited understanding of the duration of these impacts due to a lack of long-term consistent observation. This study combines multi-year high spatial resolution and high temporal resolution remote sensing images collected before and after the 12 May 2008 MW 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake to investigate post-seismic landslide changes and vegetation recovery processes at landslide sites in the epicentral area. We found that the earthquake caused significant vegetation damage by triggering co-seismic landslides. Since that time, vegetation at these landslide sites has been continuously recovering, and the total post-seismic landslide area is decreasing concurrently. Post-seismic vegetation recovery reflects and possibly promotes the decrease of post-seismic landslide activities. Our findings on post-seismic vegetation recovery at landslide sites indicate that the Wenchuan earthquake's impact on regional post-seismic landslide frequency may disappear within two decades after the major event.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
