ABSTRACT
The Chi-Chi earthquake struck central region of Taiwan on September 21, 1999, with a local magnitude of 7.3, had caused severe ground failures and loss of lives and properties. This chapter examines the effects of the ground motion of the Chi-Chi earthquake on the landslides. In 1999 the Chi-Chi earthquake struck central Taiwan and caused extensive landslide hazard. Based on the analysis of ground motion data of the identified landslide events, it is suggested that the ground motion is the most important factor for causing landslides, and the vertical peak ground acceleration has a significant effect. Due to the severe slope failures caused by the Chi-Chi earthquake, the slope material was loosened and with fissures and cleavages. The relationship between the critical acceleration and threshold displacement to the landslides and ground motion is analyzed based on the sliding block analysis for evaluation of the seismic stability of slope.
