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Discussions on landslide types and seismic signals produced by the soil rupture due to seepage and retrogressive erosion

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Abstract

Seismic signals are usually generated during landslides or movement of soil mass due to collisions and friction among the soil particles and masses. The seismic signals will be different when different sliding (movement) types occur. This study discusses the landslide process and seismic signals produced by soil ruptures to understand the nature of the signals, which could help in predicting landslides as well as understanding different landslide processes. Physical model tests were performed to record the seismic signals generated during the sliding processes. The self-potential (SP), pore water pressure (PP), and volumetric water content (VWC) were also measured to assist the interpretation of the failure processes. Based on the characteristics of the seismic signals recorded, three slide types were identified: intermittent slide, successive slide, and single slide. Precursor signals prior to the single slide event were found in both the seismic and SP signals and therefore the monitoring of these two kinds of precursors has the potential for real-world application in landslide prewarning. In addition, the landslide areas of the tests were correlated with Arias intensities (IA) in a linear relationship. The relationship has the potential to be implemented in estimating a landslide’s scale for a fast landslide response decision.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Mr. Hallam Atherton for reviewing the manuscript style.

Funding

This study is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, R.O.C, through research fund (Grant Number: 108-2625-M-005-006) and Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, Taiwan, R.O.C.

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Correspondence to Zheng-Yi Feng.

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Highlights

1. Physical model tests were carried out to discuss the landslide types and seismic signals.

2. Three slide types were identified: intermittent slide, successive slide, and single slide.

3. Precursors of seismic signal and self-potential were both found prior to the single slide event, which could help in predicting landslides.

4. Sliding areas were correlated with Arias intensity (IA) in a linear relationship.

Supplementary information

ESM 5

Schematic plots of the three types of sliding (DOCX 114 kb)

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Feng, ZY., Chen, SH. Discussions on landslide types and seismic signals produced by the soil rupture due to seepage and retrogressive erosion. Landslides 18, 2265–2279 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-021-01625-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-021-01625-5

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