Joint Modelling and Monitoring on Case Pennetta and Case Costa Active Landslides System Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography and Geotechnical Data

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the Case Costa and Case Pennetta active landslides complex in the Northern Apennines (Parma, Italy). A ground model of an active and complex landslide system in instability prone rocks, made mainly by sandstones and claystones (Scabiazza Sandstones, Ligurian Unit), is developed through an integrated approach, utilizing different monitoring tools. Some of the tools are traditional (i.e. piezometers and inclinometers) and others are innovative, such as the acquisition of electrical tomographic data in time-lapse mode (TL-ERT). The latter has many practical applications to the study of subsurface properties and processes. This approach will allow to create a model of the physical state of the complex landslides, to observe the groundwater circulation and its variation with time, by relating it to the kinematics of the landslide bodies. Results of the landslide investigation revealed that an integrated approach, centred on volumetric geophysical imaging, successfully achieves a detailed understanding of structure and lithology of a complex landslide system, which cannot be attained through the use of remotely sensed data or discrete intrusive sampling alone. This paper describes this multi-technique approach for landslide hazard assessment reporting the preliminary monitoring results; such approach seems to be applicable to other hazardous earthworks and natural slopes.