The impact of earthquakes on the terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle

Jie, Liu 2024. The impact of earthquakes on the terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

Preview	PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (9MB) | Preview
	PDF (Cardiff University Electronic Publication Form) - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (753kB)

Abstract

Earthquake-induced extensive mass wasting, in particular landslides and debris flows, can severely disturb terrestrial ecosystems by destroying vegetation and eroding soil. These processes lead to large-scale redistribution and export of terrestrial carbon, fundamentally altering the local carbon cycle. There is now compelling evidence that mega earthquakes play a significant role in carbon exchange between rocks and atmosphere on geological time scales (Clark et al. 2017; Hilton and West 2020). However, we have little idea on the fate of terrestrial ecosystem carbon in tectonically active regions. This thesis investigates the significant impact of mega earthquake, such as the 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, on terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle. The research was conducted in three progressive stages. First, preliminary research established the methods and primary research direction, focusing on field sampling to assess the pathways of terrestrial carbon export and redistribution following earthquake triggered landslides (EQTLs) and debris flows. Then, the study expanded by incorporating large-scale sampling, field data from existing literature, and extensive remote sensing datasets. Machine learning techniques were applied to predict the spatial distribution of terrestrial carbon both pre- and post-earthquake, enabling the quantification of hillslope carbon budget following the 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake. This analysis revealed the "capacitor effect", the ability of EQTLs to temporarily store terrestrial organic carbon within mountains and gradually release it over extended periods, much like an electrical capacitor stores and releases energy. Finally, a coupled mass movement and carbon cycle model was developed to analyse how EQTLs affect carbon storage capacity and time scales. By integrating a stochastic earthquake model, the study assessed the long-term impacts of tectonic activity on ecosystem carbon dynamics, demonstrating that earthquakes enhance terrestrial organic carbon storage capacity and promote the long-term increasing of soil organic carbon stock in orogens.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Earth and Environmental Sciences
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	25 March 2025
Last Modified:	25 Mar 2025 17:19
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/177158

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item