Multi-temporal Remote Sensing Analysis of Landslide Evolution around the Yingxiu Hydropower Station after the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, in Sichuan Province, Southwest China

Abstract

Yingxiu Hydropower Station is located in the epicentre area of the 2008 Wenchuan Ms 8.0 Earthquake. The Wenchuan earthquake triggered a lot of co-seismic landslides around the power station, resulting in a significant increase in the number and scale of landslides post the earthquake. The evolution of landslides around Yingxiu Hydropower Station after the Wenchuan earthquake is studied by using the high-resolution remote sensing images from 2004 to 2020. The landslide activity post the earthquake declined gradually. The first 5 years post the earthquake is the strongest activity period. Large scale landslides and debris flows occurred in 2010 and 2013, respectively. The landslide activity decreased significantly since 2014, and only small landslide occurred from 2014 to 2020. There are still a large number of loose solid materials in the gullies and on the slopes. In the future, under the effect of heavy rainfall, there is still the possibility of large-scale debris flow disasters, and monitoring should be strengthened.