Open AccessBenefits of Defining Geological Sensitive Zones in the Mitigation of Disasters Along Earthquake Fault Zones in Taiwan – The Case of Milun Fault
Author(s) -
Tyan-Ming Chu,
Weijie Huang,
T. Lin,
Shuai Lü,
Yen-Chiu Liu,
Cheng-Shing Chiang,
Yi-Huei Chang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of disaster research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.332
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 1883-8030
pISSN - 1881-2473
DOI - 10.20965/jdr.2021.p1257
Subject(s) - seismology , geology , fault (geology) , active fault , seismic gap , surface rupture , damages , law , political science
In Taiwan, the main purpose of earthquake fault zone legislation is to prevent earthquake-related disasters around the surface traces of active faults, particularly in urban areas. Here, the Geologically Sensitive Area (GSA) of the Milun Fault (Milun Earthquake Fault Zone) is used as an example to reveal the importance of such legislation. Field data collected along the Milun Fault before and after the 2018 Hualien Earthquake were used to reveal the reappearance of damages within the GSA. The 2018 Hualien Earthquake represents one of the shortest recurrence intervals (67 years) among all major faults in Taiwan. Most of the surface ruptures and damaged buildings in Hualien City were within the Milun Fault GSA and concentrated on the hanging wall of the fault. Moreover, 61% (91/148) of the damaged buildings and 83% (692/835) of the surface ruptures occurred within 100 m of the fault line. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of defining GSAs of active faults for mitigating earthquake hazards.