The Use of Innovative Techniques for Management of High-Risk Coastal Areas, Mitigation of Earthquake-Triggered Landslide Risk and Responsible Coastal Development

Spyridon Mavroulis,Evangelia Kotsi,Efthymis Lekkas,John D Alexopoulos,George Kaviris,Vassilis Sakkas,Nicholas Voulgaris,Aliki Konsolaki,Michalis Diakakis,Emmanuel Vassilakis,Vasilis Kapetanidis

doi:10.3390/app12042193

Spyridon Mavroulis, Evangelia Kotsi + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app12042193

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Abstract

Coastal areas constitute a very dynamic environment, balancing between numerous natural and anthropogenic processes liable to sometimes hazardous geomorphic phenomena. Especially in tectonically active coastal regions and areas of high economic value, slope failures can have significant impacts and therefore need careful and detailed examination. This work uses Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)-aided photogrammetry and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) in tectonically active segments of the coastal zone of the Ionian Islands in Greece, to explore how their capabilities can help to improve our understanding of the structural integrity of the slopes. Results show that the two approaches are able to extract large numbers of discontinuity facets, in a more practical, rapid and safe way than conventional methods of rock slope stability analysis extending to unreachable yet important parts of the slope. Through this holistic record of the structural condition of the slope the two applications allow the identification of segments that are more prone to instability and failure. In this way, they improve our understanding of the prioritization of interventions aiming to enhance the prevention of slope failures, mitigating the associated risk and improving local development in these high-value locations.

Highlights

Introduction iationsGlobally coastal areas balance in a highly dynamic regime formed by a variety of complex natural processes [1] and human intervention [2]
The point clouds that were generated at both areas were used for further analysis, which was rather common for both datasets, with no restrictions concerning their origin (UAS and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), respectively)
The top node splits the space in one dimension, and the nodes spilt the space in another dimension

Summary

Introduction

Coastal areas balance in a highly dynamic regime formed by a variety of complex natural processes [1] and human intervention [2] The evolution of these constantly changing environments is affected by numerous natural geomorphic mechanisms such as erosion, mass wasting, deposition, wave action, as well as tectonic and volcanic activity [3]. Despite these processes and the risks associated with them, coastal areas contain a large part of the world’s population [4] and an important portion of socio-economic activities [5], including trade, tourism, transportation and others.

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