Abstract
This study presents the engineering geological and geophysical assessment of the June 5, 2009 Jiwei Shan rockslide, Wulong, China. Jiwei Shan is a part of Wulong karst terrain lithologically, it’s composed of Quaternary Deposits, Jialingjiang Formation, Maokou, Qixia, Liangshan and Hanjiadian Groups (chronologically from younger to older). The surface is highly irregular (pinnached), the rocks contain two sets of fractures, networks of convoluted solution channels and caves and there are large voids filled by soil mantle. It’s a south-north dipping limb of an anticline fold composed of sedimentary rocks, mainly of limestone of variable composition, mudstone and shale and series of limestone deposited with interbedded mudstone and shale. There are two sets of steeply dipping fractures developed in the Maokou and upper strata of Qixia Groups; set one trending EW and set two trending nearly SN directions. The study has been conducted by geological fieldwork, geophysical investigation (Vertical Electrical Sounding), petrographical and scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies and laboratory testing on rock samples collected from Jialingjiang Formation and Maokou and Qixia Groups. The study of the SEM photomicrographs showed that the microcrack propagations in limestone indicated that the increases in crack length and micropores of limestone are indication to the weathering grade increase from II (slightly weathered rock) to grade III and IV (moderately and highly weathered, respectively). The Qixia Group; Middle Layer is highly weathered shale and bituminous interlayer with clear fissility, high porosity, and gently dipping strata, it represents the sliding surface of the rockslide. It’s comparatively weak and strongly weathered compared to the overlain EW and SN fractured stratum. Generally, the tectonic of the study area imposes controls on the rockslide in many ways: created favourable terrain, provided sufficient rockslide prone materials such as highly weathered limestone and shale, weak rocks, created very steep beds which reduced the stability of the highly fractured bedrock of the slope.
Highlights
In spite of rockslides and avalanches occurring often in remote mountainous areas, they still draw a lot of attentions of many researchers, because it is hard to predict and frequently result in great damage
The study has been conducted by geological fieldwork, geophysical investigation (Vertical Electrical Sounding), petrographical and scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies and laboratory testing on rock samples collected from Jialingjiang Formation and Maokou and Qixia Groups
Jiwei Shan Karst is characterized with caves, grykes, dissolution cracks and rockheads which display a long history of geological evolution and an unusual range of karst formations
Summary
In spite of rockslides and avalanches occurring often in remote mountainous areas, they still draw a lot of attentions of many researchers, because it is hard to predict and frequently result in great damage. Most rockslides in high mountainous areas often evolved into rapid moving blocks and debris flows, traveling over long distances and causing serious and sudden destruction of considerable large areas [1]. This rockslide is predisposed by tectonic, geological structures, lithology, topography and rainfall. Due to the presence of a front a stable bedrock towards the north of the moving block as in Jiwei Shan, the rockmass laterally falls or topples first and subsequently accumulates on the lower gentler slope, secondary rockslide will induced by trigger factor such as rainfall, earthquake, ...etc leading to a long distance runout and accumulation [2] (Figure 1)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
