Zhouqu Research Paper

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On August 8, 2010 over one thousand people lost their lives as a landslide suddenly hit China. The landslide was a result of tremendous rainfall that had hit the region. This rainfall and debris from it caused the Bailong River to overflow and flood numerous towns in northwestern China. In Zhouqu, houses were collapsed by feet of mud and water. Over one thousand people were left missing and rescue efforts were hampered by the thick mud. Flood water from the blocked river was also added to the mix. The mudslides blocked the river and caused it to overflow multiple times after the initial landslide due to the constant rain.

Zhouqu sits in a valley between two mountains. There is a river there also. The valleys flooded due to heavy rain and picked up rocks and mud before hitting the river. The angle of repose, or the angle at which a slope is stable, is reduced by water. In this situation, the rain lowered the angle of repose for the slopes in this area of China which caused the soil to flow like a liquid.

In addition to the challenges presented by the mud and water, many throughout Zhouqu were left without power, water, and the ability to communicate with potential rescue workers. Landslides can be caused by both …show more content…

For decades, the Chinese government has been mining and logging the area surrounding this natural disaster. It has also been installing dams and hydroelectric plants which damage the rivers. All of the deforestation and agricultural use of the land has caused soil to be eroded away. Loose, unhealthy soil can be swept away more easily. This means that the torrential downpours common to the area could have easily brought soil with it as it raced toward the city, which is exactly what it did. The numerous dams and a highway built by the government in the region made the geology there even more unstable. There was a large earthquake in May of 2008 which also caused the land to become

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