Landslide Investigation and Monitoring Using Self-Potential Methods

Abstract

Summary Landslides are complex and heterogeneous phenomena involving properties of the subsurface. To study landslide processes, we use the self-potential (SP) method to investigate physical characteristics of the subsurface and monitor the accumulation and movement of groundwater associated with reactivated landslides at Hollin Hill, UK. The SP measurements consist of SP mapping in 2D and monitoring SP profiling. Six SP mappings are acquired in different climatic conditions. They show positive charges carried in the direction of the fluid flow, producing positive anomalies on the surface located at water discharge area and negative anomalies on infiltration area. The anomaly pattern reveals strong relationship between landslide morphology and flow regions particularly in the back scarp and secondary scarp. Moreover, the mappings are compared to precipitation data. They show the significant seasonal variations that SP signature possibly links to rainfall. However, it is still a bit unclear. Consequently, an analysis of the continuous SP monitoring are applied for high temporal resolution. The monitoring result shows that most of SP variations with time are linked to rainfall events and soil moisture contents. Consequently, the SP could be a possible method to monitor groundwater conditions and provides precursory information as an early warning of landslides.