Chinese geologists identify active fault beneath Tibet hydropower project

The fault, known as the Paizhen Fault, has been active since the Pleistocene epoch. A paper published last month in the journal Sedimentary Geology and Tethyan Geology stated that the fracture would affect the structural stability of dams, roads, bridges, tunnels, and the reservoir area.

The study was conducted by researchers from Chengdu University of Technology, the Civil-Military Integration Centre of the China Geological Survey, and the Middle Yarlung Zangbo River Natural Resources Observation and Research Station.

Recommendations from the study The authors called for engineers to strengthen slope stability and install retaining protections to lower the risk of landslides and collapses. The research was supervised by the state-owned China Geological Survey. The paper noted that the fault's location would have a major impact on nearby infrastructure and the reservoir area.