Abstract: The paper briefly introduces the composition of earthquake monitoring system of the Three Gorges area, earthquake monitoring range and the important action of the Three Gorges Project operation. Before and after the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir, the monitoring system had recorded a lot of earthquake data in the upper area and middle area of the Three Gorges. On the basis of the comparison of epicenter location, magnitude and frequency numbers about the recorded earthquake, it briefly induces the basic characters of reservoir induced earthquakes after the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir, and also points out that the reservoir induced earthquakes which have occurred after the impoundment of reservoir were essentially within the range of former prediction. There was no destructive earthquake occurrence after the impoundment of the reservoir areas.

Key words: earthquake monitoring system in Three Gorges area , reservoir impoundment , reservoir-induced earthquake