THE SURFACE RUPTURE AND DISASTER IN WENCHUAN EARTHQUAKE

The Ms8.0 Wenchuan earthquake that occurred on the Longmenshan area had produced two surface rupture faults: Beichuan-Yingxiu fault and Jiangyou-Guanxian fault.Especially along the first fault,the earthquake produced a 240 km-long rupture zone,causing huge casualties and property losses.There were many reasons for this disaster: the earthquake magnitude was very high,reaching Ms8.0;the epicenter region was in tectonic development,so its geological environment was very fragile;the town had a relatively dense population but a generally narrow venue and limited space.However,the role of faults was decisive,which in different locations showed significant differences,leading to the emergence of different types of earthquake damages.Lack of consideration for fault avoidance and fortification amplified the disastrous effects of the earthquake.