Use of GPR method for investigation of the mass movements development on the basis of the landslide in Kałków

Abstract

Landslides are a kind of mass movements posing a major threat to the transport routes. There were numerous landslides in Poland in 2010, damaging many roads and buildings. As a result landslide surveys have become more common. Their purpose is to understand the causes and mechanisms that initiate such earth movements. It happens that even minor landslides can cause considerable losses, Kałków being an example. This paper presents the landslide structure investigation with the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method. The underlying assumption was that such investigation would reveal the internal structure of the deformation. Geophysical measurements enabled identification of shallow anomalous structures which were not identified during the preceding geo-engineering investigation. The advantage of the GPR method in comparison to subsurface exploration by boring is that it can be performed with less cost and time. Access restrictions are also to be taken into account and these can be overcome easier with lighter measuring apparatus. The analysis output allows the authors to conclude that the GPR method can be an option at the exploratory stage of landslide analysis.