Electrical and electromagnetic investigation for landslide characterisation

Abstract

A geophysical investigation was applied to an area, subjected to a large slow moving landslide in the region oi Langhe - Piemonte, Italy. The joint application of vertical electrical soundings (VES), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and electromagnetic soundings (TDEM) has led to the detection of the geo-morphological conditions of the slope up to a depth of 30–40 m. The geophysical survey has detected the existence and continuity of a potential sliding surface, which had previously pointed out by inclinometer measurements. The test has permitted the verification of the reliability and the resolution of electrical and electromagnetic data analysis for landslides, characterised by marls and clay with low resistivity values (below 100 Ohm·m).