Development of a global earthquake-landslide-tsunami cascade database and analysis of cascading mechanisms
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Earthquake-induced landslides, both nearshore terrestrial and submarine, can generate tsunamis, exemplifying a common type of cascading marine geohazards. These events pose significant risks to marine infrastructure such as subsea communication cables, oil and gas platforms, pipelines and rigs, as well as to coastal communities and ecosystems. Recent incidents such as the landslides and tsunamis triggered by the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake in Indonesia highlight the urgency of addressing these hazards. However, compared to terrestrial cascading disasters, research on marine cascading hazards is constrained by data acquisition challenges, limiting insights into their triggers and cascading impacts. To fill the research gap, this study conducted a systematic literature review and developed a database of 93 global earthquake-landslide-tsunami cascades since 1900. Key parameters of earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis were compiled and summarized, with detailed analysis of 20 representative cases, focusing on their triggering mechanisms and cascading effects. Based on the initial location of the landslides, we classified cascades into three categories: Nearshore terrestrial cascades: Seismic shaking destabilizes coastal slopes, triggering landslides or rockfalls that displace materials into water at high velocity, generating tsunamis. Nearshore submarine cascades: Seismic shaking induces liquefaction of saturated sediments nearshore marine area, causing liquefied gravity flow and tsunami generation. Submarine cascades in deeper waters (~200 m or more): Seismic shaking triggers translational landslides or slumps of fine-grained sediments, deforming the seafloor and generating tsunamis. Despite advances in understanding co-seismic landslide-tsunami cascades, significant challenges remain, particularly in early warning and hazard assessment. Current tsunami warning systems primarily target tectonic tsunamis and are not well-equipped to warn localized tsunamis caused by co-seismic landslides. The short lead time, often just seconds to minutes, between an earthquake and the arrival of landslide-induced tsunamis further complicates warnings. Current methods for assessing submarine slope stability during seismic shaking fail to adequately capture the complex responses of slopes to seismic forces. Moreover, the lack of real-time monitoring hinders the accurate collection of data on submarine landslides, thereby restricting the precise assessment of cascading hazards. This study highlights the importance of future research on the interconnected multi-physical processes between earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. Developing integrated multi-physical models to assess these interactions, along with creating comprehensive research frameworks through interdisciplinary collaboration are critical. These efforts will enhance current understanding of cascading marine geohazards and provide new theoretical and technical support for early warning and hazard assessment. In particular, based on global case studies, this study highlights the critical need to assess the risks of earthquake-landslide-tsunami cascades in the northern South China Sea. The two active fault zones in the region, the Littoral Fault and Continental Slope Fault, both have the potential to generate destructive earthquakes. Coupled with the region’s abundant sedimentary deposits, these factors significantly increase the likelihood of cascading hazards along the northern South China Sea continental slope. Furthermore, the South China coastal region is one of China’s most economically developed areas, encompassing densely populated regions such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Zone, along with critical infrastructure. A destructive tsunami in this region could have catastrophic consequences. In conclusion, the study of earthquake-landslide-tsunami cascades involves multiple disciplines, including seismology, geology, mechanics, fluid dynamics, numerical modeling, artificial intelligence and social sciences. Advancing early warning, assessment and management of these cascading hazards requires interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of comprehensive research frameworks.
DOI: 10.1360/tb-2024-0994
Authors: Peng Du, Linlin Li, Dawei Wang, Xin Zeng, Huabin Shi, Kejie Chen, Zhigang Li, Weitao Wang, Peizhen Zhang
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4405654890