Projects / Programmes
Studying landslide movements from source areas to zone of deposition using a deterministic approach.
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.06.05 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology |
Geophysics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P510 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physical geography, geomorphology, pedology, cartography, climatology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
landslides, debris flow, landslide source area, zone of deposition, modelling, hazard assessment, deterministic approach
Researchers (22)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The proposed research project is aimed at studying landslide movements from their source areas to the zone of deposition using a deterministic approach. Shallow landslides, soil slips and low speed movements may cause failure of structures but are not usually dangerous for humans. While a high-speed, long-runout and wide-spreading landslides may cause a greater disaster since they occur more suddenly, without showing any prior signs of cracks. Therefore only a small possibility exists for a timely evacuation. Thus the significance of landslide dynamics from their origin to the deposition areas is becoming crucial to reduce human loss from landslides and assess landslide hazard. This research project is focused on landslides investigations and conditions required for mobilization into debris flow. The landslide and debris flow origin (source areas) was determined by previous studies using spatio-temporal factors while rainfall, velocity, volume of deposit, sliding/flow path, and deposition area are more difficult to predict and manage and were not yet considered in studying the dynamics of the landslide. Therefore, in order to determine movement and hazard assessment regarding potential mobilization of the landslide mass into a rapid debris flow, the following key parameters will be studied: geological structure, slope inclination (relief), geomechanical characteristics of the soil, catchment area of surface water and groundwater, and rainfall threshold above which landslide failure is initiated. These parameters will be analyzed and modelled in two selected pilot areas: at the Stože landslide where a catastrophic event occurred in year 2000 and at the Potoška planina landslide where a catastrophic event could happen in the future due to unfavorable conditions and where historic and geologic evidences show that such events have happened in the past .
The main objective of this project is development of an interdisciplinary methodological approach for risk assessment of landslides and mass flows, which will include landslide origin (source areas) modelling, assessment of deposition volume, determination of rheological characteristics of the material, and modeling of the runout distance and the zone of deposition. The existing landslide susceptibility map will be upgraded for the wider catchment of Potoška planina and Stože landslides in a detailed scale which will be directly applicable in spatial planning, planning of prevention measures, and mitigation measures. Developed hydrogeological models for both study cases will enable spatially distributed and transient modelling of processes of the hydrological cycle. At the same time integration into slope stability model will significantly improve the accuracy of landslide prediction models. The results of modeling the rheological characteristics of the sampled soils will enable the prediction of the landslide source area, its spreading and possible mobilization into debris flow and 3D visualisation of potential landslide areas at different scales. These objectives will be achieved through extensive fieldwork in order to capture the data needed to improve the reliability of the modeling results. Therefore, the project results will also be applicable in similar settings outside Slovenia (especially in Alpine environment). The project will enable the development of engineering and natural sciences which deal with the environmental issues; in particular, it will contribute to the development of the profession that is engaged with reducing the risk from natural disasters.
Significance for science
The issues being discussed here and the pilot cases (the Stože and Potoška planina landslides) will be carefully approached with an interdisciplinary method, combining engineering geology, geomorphology, geomechanics, and hydro engineering. As a result, the gained knowledge for determining, analysing, and modelling landslides will also enrich the field not only in Slovenia, but also worldwide. Previous landslide investigations have only researched critical geotechnical parameters that led to landslide activation; mobilization to debris flow/mud flow was predicted on the basis of known landslide volume and geographic characteristics of the terrain in the flow direction. Studying landslide movements from their source areas to their zones of deposition will allow for predicting both the landslide source area, spreading, as well as mobilization to debris flow. Therefore, the project results will be applicable in similar situations in other countries (e.g. the Alpine countries). The project will enable the development of engineering and natural sciences dealing with environmental issues; in particular, it will contribute to the development of the profession concerned with natural disaster risk mitigation.
Research into landslides combines integrated, interdisciplinary, natural science, technical, and other content. Undesirable effects in the environment caused by landslides and mass flows are defined using knowledge of natural sciences and solved with technical measures that form the basis for dealing with economic and legal issues and assessment of social consequences. Hence, the integration of different disciplines has a prospect for effective solving of problems related to landsliding. At the crossroads between various scientific fields we could expect the evolution of new scientific knowledge, trends, and technical solutions.
Significance for the country
The landslide and mass flow risk assessment methodology is not yet determined in Slovenia, despite the requirement laid down in the Slovenian Waters Act (ZV1, Official Gazette of RS, No. 67/2002). The results concerning the volume and deposition modelling presented in the form of thematic maps will provide an effective tool for the work of Civil Protection when dealing with landslides, improving the existing or creating a new Early Warning System (EWS) and creating risk assessments of unpredicted natural disasters. They could also be used in spatial planning and proper placement of infrastructures in relation to potential risks due to landslides and debris flows. The project results, based on the study of two pilot areas, will be transferable to other areas in Slovenia and the wider Alpine region. In Slovenia, many other major landslides occur under regional geological and hydrogeological conditions that are similar to those in the case of Potoška planina and Stože landslides. Some of them have the potential to develop into devastating debris flows, causing major property damage, or even loss of life. This way the results of the proposed project will propose landslide scenarios and enable mitigation and prevention of landslide damage. Moreover, this project's results will have important implications both for national institutions and agencies concerned with the environment, as well as for private companies associated with the design and implementation of natural disaster protection measures.
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report,
final report
