Influence Of Earthquakes On Stability

INTRODUCTION Ideally, this paper should start by citing examples of slope failures in open pit mines during earthquakes. I do not know of any such examples, although - since my search of the literature has not been exhaustive - such examples may well exist. However, there certainly are many examples of devastating earthquake-induced landslides, and there is no reason why such landslides cannot occur at large open pits. Moreover, many of the actual earthquake-induced landslides have seriously affected mining operations in one way or another. Hence, this paper will treat earthquake-induced landslide phenomena in general, in the hope and expectation that the reader can apply this general knowledge to the specific problems associated with open pit mining. Ultimately, of course, the aim is to predict the likelihood of the occurrence of earthquake-induced landslides, and to delineate steps which can be taken to minimize the possibility of their occurrence. These aims can be achieved only imperfectly at the present time, for our knowledge concerning earthquake-induced landslides is still in an embryonic stage. Nonetheless, much useful knowledge does exist. In order to understand and apply this knowledge, it is necessary to: 1. Review the nature and extent of actual earthquake-induced landslides; 2. Have a grasp of the basic terminology and concepts of seismology; 3. Study the fundamentals of probability-based seismic risk analysis; 4. Appreciate the way in which earth materials behave during earthquake loadings; and 5. Have a general knowledge of the methods currently available for analyzing the dynamic response of slopes. Much of this paper is devoted to this necessary background. Information of practical use in connection with various classes of slope stability problems is assembled in the final sections. LANDSLIDES DURING PAST EARTHQUAKES Almost every earthquake in mountainous country, strong enough to be reported in the literature, has caused at least some landslides and rockfalls. Unless these slides or falls damage