Multi-technique approach to characterize ancient deep-seated landslides
in seismic regions
Abstract
Mountain ranges in seismically active regions often present vast numbers
of deep-seated and voluminous landslides. In general, the comprehension
of factors contributing to such slope failures can help better
understand the dynamic history of a region. Here, we present the
outcomes of our studies in the Buzau-Vrancea seismic region in the
Romanian Carpathian Mountains, where massive slides are marked by
“softened” hummocky morphologies that result from weathering and
aging. The latter factors make it more difficult to understand the
circumstances of slope failure development and to trace the limits
between in-situ and displaced material. In particular, the uncertain
subsurface structure of those large mass movements suggests the
application of geophysical methods. We used several geophysical
techniques, which allowed us to overcome limitations in terms of
investigation depth and lateral resolution of single methods. Electrical
resistivity measurements can be used to obtain lithological information,
and to characterise the water content of the landslide deposits and of
in situ rocks. On most sites, we combined electrical surveys with
seismic methods: actively triggered seismic energy used for seismic
refraction surveys - analyzed as 2D P-wave tomography (SRT) and as 1D
MASW – together with passive methods using ambient noise, i.e.
small-aperture seismic array and single station HVNR measurements. In
contrast to P-wave velocity prospections, surface and shear wave
velocity measurements are able to reveal deeper and lateral contrasts
that are independent of the soils water content and thus useful to
define the mechanical properties of complex slope deformations. Ambient
noise array methods, in addition, generally allow very deep sounding.
With this approach, we are able to distinguish the basal shearing
horizon of the studied landslide, their volume, geometry, and general
geomechanical parameters. The main focus of this work is on the
combination of these methods, and on the advantage of interpreting these
results in a full 3D geomodel of study sites based on the collected
surface (UAV flights, LiDAR-DEMs) and geophysical subsurface data. The
3D geomodel will further be used as a basis for numerical calculations
aiming at a back-analysis of the landslide development (in a static and
possibly dynamic domain).