Long-term retrospective investigation of a large, deep-seated, and slow-moving landslide using InSAR time series, historical aerial photographs, and UAV data: The case of Devrek landslide (NW Turkey)

Abstract

This study presents a successful combination of different remote sensing data used in a long-term retrospective investigation of a large and destructive deep-seated, slow-moving landslide reactivated on 16 July 2015 in Devrek District (Zonguldak, Turkey). To this aim, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data were used for Interferometric SAR (InSAR) time-series analysis together with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images and aerial photographs for digital photogrammetric analysis. The SAR dataset was divided into three sub-periods: 1) 1992–2001 for ERS-1 and ERS-2 satellites; 2) 2003–2010 for Envisat ASAR; and 3) 2014–2015 for Sentinel-1. Persistent Scatterers Interferometry (PSI) was applied for each sub-period. In total, 20 aerial photographs, dating from as early as 1944, were obtained, along with data from a UAV flight mission conducted on 23 June 2018. The historical aerial photographs revealed that the region has had a landslide problem since the 1940s. Between 1944 and 2018, a noticeable expansion of the settlement area towards the toe of the landslide was also observed. Aerial photographs (1984 and 2011) and UAV images (2018) were used to map landslide deformations using the M3C2 algorithm. Due to the high number of modelling errors, the 1984 and 2011 aerial photographs did not allow mapping of the landslide deformations. However, it was possible to determine them for the periods of 2011 and 2018. The M3C2 results between 2011 and 2018 were also compared to the PSI results, which were quite compatible with those obtained via photogrammetric methods. Moreover, two orthophotos belonging to 2011 and 2018 were used to reveal the horizontal displacement of buildings caused by the landslide. As a result, the complete investigation of the landslide performed in this study may serve to facilitate additional plans and strategies for prevention and mitigation of potential reactivations in the future.