Geophysical and Remote Sensing Techniques for Large-Volume and Complex Landslide Assessment
Landslides pose significant risks to human life and infrastructure, driven by a complex interplay of geological and hydrological factors. This study investigates the ongoing slope instability affecting the village of Borrano, in Central Italy, where large-scale landslides are triggered or reactivate...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/12/2029 |
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| author | Paolo Ciampi Massimo Mangifesta Leonardo Maria Giannini Carlo Esposito Gianni Scalella Benedetto Burchini Nicola Sciarra |
| author_facet | Paolo Ciampi Massimo Mangifesta Leonardo Maria Giannini Carlo Esposito Gianni Scalella Benedetto Burchini Nicola Sciarra |
| author_sort | Paolo Ciampi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Landslides pose significant risks to human life and infrastructure, driven by a complex interplay of geological and hydrological factors. This study investigates the ongoing slope instability affecting the village of Borrano, in Central Italy, where large-scale landslides are triggered or reactivated by extreme rainfall and seismic activity. A multidisciplinary approach was employed, integrating traditional geological surveys, direct investigations, and advanced geophysical techniques—including electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and seismic refraction tomography (SRT)—to characterize subsurface structures. Additionally, Sentinel-1 interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) was employed to parametrize the deformation rates induced by the landslide. The results reveal a complex geological framework dominated by the Teramo Flysch, where weak clayey facies and structurally controlled dip-slopes predispose the area to gravitational instability. ERT and SRT identified resistivity and velocity contrasts associated with shallow and depth sliding surfaces. At the same time, satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data confirmed persistent slow movements, with vertical displacement rates between −10 and −24 mm/year. These findings underscore the importance of lithological heterogeneity and structural settings in the evolution of landslides. The integrated geophysical and remote sensing approach enhances the understanding of slope dynamics. It can be used to cross-check interpretations, capture displacement trends, characterize the internal structure of unstable slopes, and resolve the limitations of each method. This synergy provides a more comprehensive assessment of complex slope instability, offering valuable insights for hazard mitigation strategies in landslide-prone areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-14e0bd7a797c46338f4c6e1cdb270acf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj-art-14e0bd7a797c46338f4c6e1cdb270acf2025-08-20T03:27:25ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-06-011712202910.3390/rs17122029Geophysical and Remote Sensing Techniques for Large-Volume and Complex Landslide AssessmentPaolo Ciampi0Massimo Mangifesta1Leonardo Maria Giannini2Carlo Esposito3Gianni Scalella4Benedetto Burchini5Nicola Sciarra6Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, Gabriele D’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, ItalyDepartment of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, ItalySpecial Office for the Reconstruction—Earthquake-2016 Extraordinary Commissary, Bureau of the Council of Ministers, 00187 Rome, ItalyTrigeo s.n.c., Soci, 52011 Arezzo, ItalyDepartment of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, Gabriele D’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, ItalyLandslides pose significant risks to human life and infrastructure, driven by a complex interplay of geological and hydrological factors. This study investigates the ongoing slope instability affecting the village of Borrano, in Central Italy, where large-scale landslides are triggered or reactivated by extreme rainfall and seismic activity. A multidisciplinary approach was employed, integrating traditional geological surveys, direct investigations, and advanced geophysical techniques—including electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and seismic refraction tomography (SRT)—to characterize subsurface structures. Additionally, Sentinel-1 interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) was employed to parametrize the deformation rates induced by the landslide. The results reveal a complex geological framework dominated by the Teramo Flysch, where weak clayey facies and structurally controlled dip-slopes predispose the area to gravitational instability. ERT and SRT identified resistivity and velocity contrasts associated with shallow and depth sliding surfaces. At the same time, satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data confirmed persistent slow movements, with vertical displacement rates between −10 and −24 mm/year. These findings underscore the importance of lithological heterogeneity and structural settings in the evolution of landslides. The integrated geophysical and remote sensing approach enhances the understanding of slope dynamics. It can be used to cross-check interpretations, capture displacement trends, characterize the internal structure of unstable slopes, and resolve the limitations of each method. This synergy provides a more comprehensive assessment of complex slope instability, offering valuable insights for hazard mitigation strategies in landslide-prone areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/12/2029landslidegeophysicselectrical resistivity tomographyseismic refraction tomographyremote sensing |
| spellingShingle | Paolo Ciampi Massimo Mangifesta Leonardo Maria Giannini Carlo Esposito Gianni Scalella Benedetto Burchini Nicola Sciarra Geophysical and Remote Sensing Techniques for Large-Volume and Complex Landslide Assessment Remote Sensing landslide geophysics electrical resistivity tomography seismic refraction tomography remote sensing |
| title | Geophysical and Remote Sensing Techniques for Large-Volume and Complex Landslide Assessment |
| title_full | Geophysical and Remote Sensing Techniques for Large-Volume and Complex Landslide Assessment |
| title_fullStr | Geophysical and Remote Sensing Techniques for Large-Volume and Complex Landslide Assessment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geophysical and Remote Sensing Techniques for Large-Volume and Complex Landslide Assessment |
| title_short | Geophysical and Remote Sensing Techniques for Large-Volume and Complex Landslide Assessment |
| title_sort | geophysical and remote sensing techniques for large volume and complex landslide assessment |
| topic | landslide geophysics electrical resistivity tomography seismic refraction tomography remote sensing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/12/2029 |
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