Photogrammetric assessment of deformation processes on landslide slopes while ensuring sustainable development of Caucasus Territories

Introduction. Sustainable development of geo-resources in modern realities is a priority for ensuring sustainable development of the territories of the Russian Federation. In the absence of real mechanisms for its implementation, the territories most sensitive to climate change (the subtropical zone of the Caucasus) will be exposed to increased risks of an increase in dangerous hydro meteorological phenomena. At the same time, the issues of improving methods for assessing deformation processes on landslide slopes become particularly relevant. Materials and methods. The object of the study was a slope located near the “Winter Theater” (Sochi) on the road surface of the descent to the sea where a system of cracks was observed. The area under study was photographed point by point with a Nikon D3100 camera, after which the photographs were depixelized to obtain PNG ASCII files. After this file, standard smoothing processed the containing data arrays and three-dimensional interpolation procedures to obtain regression models that were presented in the software «gnuplot». Results. As a result of completed stage of research, a methodology for determining the deformation processes of slope systems using the photometric method, which is based on the processing of a high-precision raster image (photo) by analytical methods, was adapted and formed. In our case, there would be a series of values only for the line of sites (n = 9) for all pickets (N from 11 to 23). When analyzing only this series, we could conclude that ε varies nonlinearly from 12 (N= 23 m) to the first local maximum of 20 mm (N= 21 to 22 m). Afterwards there is a decline to 17 mm (N = 20 m) and so on, but in general, they do not exceed 23 mm. While when using the photometric method, we can observe in certain areas (segments) that the amount of deformation of the asphalt road reaches up to 40 mm. Discussion. Compared to most similar studies (geo-statistical methods for processing satellite images, classical geodetic methods, methods of geophysics, the photometric method for identifying fractured structures, as well as assessing their development, is more accurate and less labor-intensive in conducting field experiments. Conclusion. To ensure sustainable development of the Caucasus territories, it is necessary to significantly improve the quality of monitoring of road surfaces located in foothill and mountain areas (especially in the presence of serpentine roads). As a result of the completed stage of research, a methodology for determining the deformation processes of slope systems using the photometric method, which is based on the processing of a high-precision raster image (photo) by analytical methods, was adapted and formed. Future research should focus on the methodology for transitioning to displacement rates and considering the response spaces of crack profile dynamics. Resume. The article presents the results of studies of deformation processes of slope systems in a dangerous landslide zone (Winter Theater of Sochi) of the Eastern Black Sea region. It has been established that the width of the walls of crack No. 2 on the road section under study in 2022 increases nonlinearly according to a polynomial law, while the absolute values of deformations can vary from 3 to 40 mm. In addition, a methodology for using the photometric method to assess the degree of cracking in slope systems is presented. The results of the study can be used in the development of a methodology for geoecological monitoring of the condition of road surfaces of highways in mountainous areas. The proposed methodological approaches to processing raster data sets can be used to develop algorithms for managing natural and technical systems in the mining industry.