The Tsaoling rock-and-soil avalanche is the largest landslides triggered by the Chi-Chi earthquake(Taiwan,1999).In addition,because of the periodic reoccurrence of gigantic slides since 19 century,instruments installed and aerial photo scans regularly around the Tsaoling area.Besides of massive field observations,several periods of Digital Terrain Models(DTMs) generated by aerial photos sets have also been deployed to investigate and calculate the coseismic and post-seismic morphological changes.
Recent advances in landslide/avalanche modeling have been enabling us to investigate the kinematics of such catastrophic events with much more details.Taiwan is located in a region where seismic activities and extreme weather conditions frequently occur.One of their common consequences is the slope failure.In the past decodes,we witnessed at least three giant landslides:Tsaoling,Jiufenershan landslides,triggered by the Chi-Chi earthquake
In tectonically active mountain belts such as the Taiwan(Fig.1a),frequent landslides affect the stability of mountain slopes,and landslides favour river erosion of disrupted masses.In the climatic and geodynamic context of Taiwan with heavy rainfall,approximate typhoon frequency of 3 -5 per year,rapid uplift of～5-10 mm yr^(-1) and strong denudation rate.Landslides are among the most common earthquake induced secondary effects and are causing huge damage
