The susceptibility of rock slopes to earthquake-induced failure

Faulure of rock slopes is a major cause of damage and casualties during moderate and strong earthquakes. This article presents a method for assessing the seismic stability of rock slopes, which can be applied on a regional scale, using data from existing maps, reports, aerial photographs, and reconnaissance-level field observations. The method is based on observed associations between landslide concentrations and slope characteristics in 24 earthquakes that occurred in various parts of the world.