Dynamic responses of a grotto under strong earthquake, Yungang Grottoes, Shanxi province, China

A study on the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient Chinese Buddhist temple complex, reveals that thin rock layers between grottoes experience rhythmic displacement during strong earthquakes. The research, using 3-D finite element modeling of the 19th grotto's west ear-grotto, found that peak ground acceleration (PGA) can be amplified up to 130 times in certain regions, particularly where the roof of the ear-grotto meets the upper rock mass—a zone prone to collapse. This critical insight underscores the structural vulnerability of these heritage sites during seismic events, emphasizing the need for targeted preservation strategies.

Peng, N., Yan, Z., Sun, B., & Gao, L. (2013). Dynamic responses of a grotto under strong earthquake, Yungang Grottoes, Shanxi province, China. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2305–2308. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4826001