A Synthetic Analysis on the Effective Protection and Management of World Heritage Sites in the Geological Disaster Area: A Case Study of Sichuan, China

Abstract

In recent years, natural disasters occur frequently all around the world. Earthquakes and other geological disasters not only are destructive but also lead to serious secondary disasters. In south China’s Sichuan Province, on May the 12th 2008, an earthquake struck Wenchuan area followed by avalanches, landslides and debris flows, threatening the very existence of the 5 world heritage sites, designated by UNESCO, and reducing them to a vulnerable state. In this paper a summary is presented to show the characteristics of the geological disasters such as short duration, strong chain reactions, clear patterns, etc. Based on geological principles and methods and with the application of GIS and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, the potential damage and threats will be evaluated and analyzed together with the experience of heritage restoration and protection. With the ample analysis, this present thesis attempts to provide theoretical and practical basis for heritage conservation and management of geological disaster areas.