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How has the Three Gorges Dam reservoir been linked to landslides?
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Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam spanning the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) near Yichang, Hubei province, China.
The Three Gorges Dam reservoir has been linked to an increase in the frequency of landslides in the surrounding region.12
Critics and some experts have argued that the massive weight of the water impounded by the reservoir, combined with the significant fluctuations in water levels, exerts pressure on the geological stability of the area. Because the region is already prone to landslides and is highly active seismically, there are concerns that the reservoir's presence exacerbates these natural risks. The potential for these geological instabilities has been a central point of controversy regarding the project's environmental impact and long-term safety.12