17 April 2013

More information on the disastrous mining-induced landslide in Tibet a fortnight ago

Posted by Dave Petley

Questions continue to be asked about what I have been calling the Jiama/Gyama Mine landslide in Tibet.  First, it should be noted that this is a misnomer – the event should correctly be called the Tseri Mountain landslide I think, so from here-on in this will be how I refer to it.  Anyway, I thought I’d highlight three sources of information about the landslide that are all very helpful.  Note that all have been compiled independently from my own analysis.

1. An interpretative report about the landslide by Adrian Moon

Adrian Moon, who regularly contributes this blog, has written an analysis of the landslide.  This is a very impressive piece of work.  He has given me permission to make it available, so I have uploaded it onto Slideshare and have embedded it below.  You should be able to read it below, but if not click here.  Adrian also asked me to acknowledge the input of his colleagues Robert Barnett, Professor of Contemporary Tibetan Studies, Columbia University and Yeshi Dorje at the Voice of America Tibetan Service.

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2. A formal report about the landslide from the Central Tibetan Administration
There is a very interesting and detailed report about the landslide online from the Central Tibetan AdministrationThis is available online.  As well as providing detailed information about the landslide and its background, and highlights the information deficit from the Chinese authorities.
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3. An analysis of the landside dynamics
Kerry Lieth, who is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at TU Munich, has an excellent blog about his researchHe has a post online in which he uses press images to map the landslide.  This is an impressive piece of work.  The upshot is a map of the landslide extent that he has given me permission to reproduce:
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https://sites.google.com/site/kerryleith/home/updates/mappingthegyamajiamaminelandslidefrompressimages

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It is notable that in all three cases the idea that this was an entirely natural “act of god” is challenged.  I concur with this,