(May 22, 2008) The threat of flooding from blocked rivers is of increasing concern as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao returns to Sichuan province, reports Bloomberg.
Rain threatens China relief efforts
(May 21, 2008) The China Meteorological Administration has warned of a high risk of further landslides caused by aftershocks and heavy rain. There are fears that this could put pressure on dams and reservoirs in the disaster zone.
Earthquake Update
(May 21, 2008) Three Gorges Probe has gathered and translated the latest news from the Chinese-language press.
China works flat out to prevent dam flood
(May 21, 2008) A dam that was created by landslides during the earthquake could flood out residents in Sichuan province, The Times reports.
Don’t build dams everywhere, expert warns
(May 18, 2008) Respected researcher Chen Guojie cautions against the headlong rush to construct hydropower projects all over southwest China, where "no valley is being left undisturbed, and no river left undammed."
Case Study: Three Gorges Dam
(May 15, 2008) Though the deadly Wenchuan earthquake was the result of tectonic stresses, experts are concerned that the filling of the Three Gorges dam’s enormous reservoir may have induced or exacerbated the earthquake.
What Makes A Tremor So Destructive?
(May 15, 2008) As China reels following Monday’s earthquake, scientists are just beginning to figure out the complex mechanics that triggered a temblor of such destructive force and widespread reach.
Chinese dams compromised by earthquake; authorities on alert
(May 14, 2008) In the wake of China’s massive earthquake, and amidst the desperate recovery effort, Chinese authorities have still more to worry about as damage to existing dams becomes evident.
China’s deadly earthquake: Was the Three Gorges reservoir a trigger?
(May 14, 2008) The world’s earthquake experts have identified tectonic plate movements as the cause of this week’s earthquake in southwestern China. But the question now is did the filling of the massive Three Gorges reservoir, which reaches the southeastern part of the Sichuan Basin, trigger seismic activity in what has always been an earthquake-prone region?
China says troops rush to plug dangerous cracks in dam
(May 13, 2008) The Zipingpu dam has been left with dangerous cracks as a result of Monday’s deadly earthquake, AP reports.
Disaster set off by colliding land masses
(May 13, 2008) The earthquake in the Sichuan Province of China on Monday was a result of a continuing collision between India and Asia.
How Dams Fail
(May 1, 2008) There are different types of dams classified by the material and design used in construction. These differences influence how and why dams fail. A dam can be classified by its material, indicating whether it is earthen or concrete. Dam components can also include iron, steel or timber or a combination of any of the above.
Leading Causes of Dam Failure
(May 1, 2008) Overtopping occurs when the level of a reservoir exceeds the capacity or height of the dam. This can be caused by an inadequate or dysfunctional spillway or by settlement of the dam crest (for an explanation of settlement, see foundation defects).
Establishment of Zigui GPS-CR Landslide Monitoring Network in the Three Gorge reservoir area
(April 26, 2008) To apply INSAR observation technique to the Three Gorge Reservoir’s landslide monitoring, we’ve installed 10 corner reflectors on the landslide within Zigui county of the Three Gorge Reservoir area, meanwhile, set up GPS observation point, preliminarily forming GPS-CR landslide monitoring network. This paper of both INSAR observation technique and GPS observation technique in landslide monitoring researches.
Landslide hits town near China’s Three Gorges dam
(April 20, 2008) Emergency workers are still trying to rescue almost 200 people from a village that was nearly inundated by a massive landslide near the Three Gorges dam in central China on Saturday, the official Xinhua news agency reports.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
Other News Sources
Probe International 