Monitoring landslides with geophysical and geodetic observations

The objective of this study was to evaluate and predict land movement by integrating geodetic, geophysical and meteorological data in a landslide area. Specifically, electrical resistivity tomography surveying, Global Navigation Satellite System and terrestrial laser scanning techniques were integrated to monitor a landslide. The study area lies to the southeast of the town of Ta kent in southern Turkey, close to Balcflar in the Central Taurus mountain chain. Landslides result in considerable damage to structures, farmland and the environment in this area; therefore, it is important to characterise the size, extent and timing of past land movements in order to mitigate damage from future landslides. Analysis presented in this paper shows that the greatest land movements in the region occur in spring, when average motions can be up to 1.5 m per month. It is demonstrated that integrated techniques provide a better means for monitoring landslide processes and gathering data for predictions of future movements. Mapping landslide movements by integrating geophysical and geodetic observations can provide a meaningful evaluation of a landslide and its dynamics.