Characteristics and mechanism of deep weathering of argillaceous limestones at Fengjie County, Three Gorges Region, Central China.

The paper reports the ground conditions in the Sanmashan area where people were relocated as a consequence of the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Examination of the geology indicates the strong calcareous rocks were not only highly fractured to considerable depths but were also decalcified in the near surface layers. A combination of the highly fractured state and decalcified nature of the material resulted in significant changes in the bedrock parameters between the northern and southern parts of the study area; the southern area having been affected by the deep down-cutting of the Yangtze River, release of stress and the development of three large landslides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]