Abstract:Soil relics are historical structures built with soil,which have significant historic,artistic,and scientific value.The soil properties and technological innovations are associated and determine which soil relics are vulnerable to nature and human activities.Soil relics are in dire need of protection and seismic safety is of great importance.This paper surveys and evaluates typical soil relics along the silk road in China according to the damage caused by wind erosion,surface weathering,rain erosion,cracking or collapse,foundation settlement,biological erosion,and human activities.The importance of a comprehensive seismic hazard reduction approach for soil relics is emphasized and strategies for hazard prevention,emergency management,and rehabilitation methods for the preservation of soil relics are proposed.Based on the characteristics of the soil relics,the principles for seismic retrofitting,the key retrofitting requirements,and retrofitting design are established.The research results will serve as guidelines for the reduction of seismic risk for soil relics.