Mass movement evaluation in deformed clastic rock with InSAR technique

Abstract

AbstractThis study uses multitemporal InSAR images to assess different types of mass movements occurring in the Seydikemer (Muğla, SW Türkiye) district. A major highway connecting the Fethiye district and Antalya province and numerous small settlements of various sizes are found in the study area. In terms of summer tourism, they are Türkiye's most well‐known locations. Since the 1960s, at least according to official records, mass movements in this area have been known to negatively impact human life. Some areas have even been declared disaster zones for this reason. However, the movement's size, type, and susceptibility to landslides have all been studied in the last 10–15 years. With satellite images and field studies, distinctive lobate‐shaped movements were classified as inactive and active. During fieldwork, characteristic features such as rough topography and bending trees were easily observed and indicated extremely slow and large‐scale movement. In this study, it was found that movement less than 7–8 mm/year could be classified as ‘extremely slow’ mass movement like a ‘creep’, and moving up to 43 mm/year was evaluated as ‘very slow’ movement and ‘earth slide’ on a rigid surface. The examined moving masses with lobate geometry are activated by natural factors such as valley slope direction, stream bed flow direction, erosion of the toe of the river valleys, earthquakes, excessive precipitation, or human activities such as road opening.