Overview
- The study, published in June 2026 and supervised by the China Geological Survey, says the Paizhen fault runs beneath the dam’s planned reservoir area and remains tectonically active.
- Authors report the fault has long Pleistocene activity and cite a magnitude 6.9 quake near Milin in 2017 plus sediment dating that suggests movement as recently as about 9,500 years ago.
- Researchers say prolonged fault activity has fractured surrounding rock and could weaken foundations, increase landslide and collapse risk, and threaten dam stability.
- The paper urges engineers to reinforce vulnerable slopes and install retaining structures, while Chinese authorities continue to say the project meets industry safety standards and construction proceeds.
- The dam is a USD 167.8 billion project expected to supply power to hundreds of millions and its location above Arunachal Pradesh raises cross‑border concerns about downstream flood control, transparency, and the need for independent review.