When China’s devastating Wenchuan Earthquake struck in May 2008, its immediate destruction made headlines worldwide. But 17 years later, researchers have discovered that rivers in the region are still feeling the effects – and will continue to do so for decades to come. A new study published in Nature on August 14, 2025, reveals that the Min River, which flows through the earthquake zone, has been carrying far more sediment than normal for at least a decade after the quake – with no signs of returning to pre-earthquake levels. “Before our work, people mostly focused on sediment of very fine … Continue reading Earthquakes Reshape Rivers for Decades: Bedload Jumps 20x, Flood Risk Persists