Integrated 2D modeling and interpretation of geophysical and geotechnical data to delineate quick clays at a landslide site in southwest Sweden

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. EN61-EN75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunling Shan ◽  
Mehrdad Bastani ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Lena Persson ◽  
Mats Engdahl
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Geotechnical Data ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Quick Clay ◽  
2D Resistivity ◽  
Marine Clays

Radio magnetotellurics (RMT), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and high-resolution reflection seismic data were collected along four lines to characterize the geometry and physical properties of geologic structures at a quick-clay landslide site in southwest Sweden. The site is situated in the Göta River valley where the normally consolidated materials mainly consist of glacial and postglacial sediments. Geotechnical data suggest the presence of quick clays above coarse-grained layers. These layers play a key role in the formation of quick clays and landslide triggering. The RMT and ERT data were individually and jointly inverted in 2D to study the resolution of resulting models for each data set. The resistivity models from the joint inversions demonstrate superior resolution and accuracy compared with individual ones. The geometry and location of shallower structures resolved in the 2D resistivity models from joint RMT&ERT inversions correlated well with those imaged in the reflection seismic data and observed in the existing geotechnical boreholes. The models were poor in resolving deeper resistive bedrock at locations where the thickness of the conductive overburden exceeds a certain limit. However, information from the reflection seismic data could be used to estimate the depth to the top of the bedrock along all the four lines. Comparison between the geotechnical data and the resistivity models suggested that quick clays overlying the coarse-grained layer have higher electrical resistivity than the marine clays. We further validated and refined the obtained results by performing synthetic tests. We showed that integration of ERT and RMT data with reflection seismic data is ideal for quick-clay landslide studies especially when the clay materials are thick.

Integration of controlled-source and radio magnetotellurics, electric resistivity tomography, and reflection seismics to delineate 3D structures of a quick-clay landslide site in southwest of Sweden

Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. B13-B29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunling Shan ◽  
Mehrdad Bastani ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Lena Persson ◽  
Emil Lundberg
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Electric Resistivity ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Controlled Source ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Reflection Seismics ◽  
Quick Clay ◽  
Resistivity Model

Quick clay, which is the main cause of landslides that occur in the northern countries, liquefies easily, and its presence implies an increased risk of landslide. Geophysical methods have been increasingly used in landslide investigations. Three-dimensional electric resistivity tomography, radio magnetotelluric (RMT), controlled-source RMT (CSRMT), and high-resolution reflection seismic data were acquired at a quick-clay landslide site in the southwest of Sweden. The main objectives were to evaluate the capability of each method in delineating different subsurface geologic structures that controlled a peculiar and hazardous retrogressive-type landslide in the study area. A 3D resistivity model from the inversion of CSRMT data showed the best correlation with the reflection seismic data and borehole information, thanks to the broad frequency range of the data set. It better imaged the resistive crystalline bedrock underlying the marine conductive clays and showed considerable correlations with the 3D reflection seismic data in resolving a coarse-grained layer that was interpreted to act as a conduit directing freshwater into the clays under a confined pressure, leaching their salt and forming quick clays. The 3D CSRMT resistivity model and 3D reflection seismic data showed that the coarse-grained layer has a varying thickness. At some locations, it was too thin to be resolved by the methods used here. Combination of the CSRMT model, reflection seismic data, and the borehole data suggested that a layer with thickness of approximately 5 m and resistivity between [Formula: see text] was potentially quick clay, which probably extended laterally in the entire study area. These observations suggested that future developments should focus on joint inversion of such 3D data sets incorporating sharp boundaries as constraints in the inversion and particularly when quick clays were studied.

High-resolution 3D reflection seismic investigation over a quick-clay landslide scar in southwest Sweden

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. B97-B107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil Lundberg ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Christopher Juhlin ◽  
Mehrdad Bastani ◽  
Magnus Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Site Investigations ◽  
Quick Clay ◽  
Triggering Mechanisms ◽  
Landslide Development

Quick-clay landslides often occur in the northern hemisphere in areas that were covered by Pleistocene glaciations. They are particularly common along the shorelines of the Göta River in southwestern Sweden. Characterization of potential landslide areas and identification of features that indicate high risk are necessary to better understand the triggering mechanisms of these events. Therefore, an intensive characterization project was initiated at the Fråstad landslide in Sweden. Part of the characterization program included the acquisition of 3D reflection seismic data to image structures in the normally consolidated sediments, as well as the bedrock topography below the landslide scar. Two seismic horizons within the glacial and postglacial sediments were observed. The shallowest seismic horizon (here, referred to as S1) corresponds to a coarse-grained layer that was previously detected by eight geotechnical boreholes located within the 3D survey area. Discontinuities in S1, mapped by the 3D reflection seismic data, occur across a zone that correlates with the landslide scar boundary, suggesting that this zone may have played a role in triggering and/or in limiting the extension of the landslide. If S1 is truncated by or mixed with clays in this zone, then the outflow of water from the permeable S1 into the clays above may have increased the amount of quick clays above this zone. The increased outflow of water may also have caused a higher pore-water pressure south of the zone, which in turn could have acted as a trigger for the landslide. We evaluated the potential of using the 3D reflection seismic method as a complement to drilling and other geophysical methods when performing landslide site investigations. We also demonstrated the importance of further investigating the relationship between 3D subsurface geometries and landslide development.

Decennial multi-approach monitoring of thermo-hydro-mechanical processes, Kammstollen outdoor laboratory, Zugspitze (Germany)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Scandroglio ◽  
Till Rehm ◽  
Jonas K. Limbrock ◽  
Andreas Kemna ◽  
Markus Heinze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Permafrost Degradation ◽  
Earth Surface ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Permafrost Rock ◽  
Austrian Alps

<p>The warming of alpine bedrock permafrost in the last three decades and consequent reduction of frozen areas has been well documented. Its consequences like slope stability reduction put humans and infrastructures at high risk. 2020 in particular was the warmest year on record at 3000m a.s.l. embedded in the warmest decade.</p><p>Recently, the development of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as standard technique for quantitative permafrost investigation allows extended monitoring of this hazard even allowing including quantitative 4D monitoring strategies (Scandroglio et al., in review). Nevertheless thermo-hydro-mechanical dynamics of steep bedrock slopes cannot be totally explained by a single measurement technique and therefore multi-approach setups are necessary in the field to record external forcing and improve the deciphering of internal responses.</p><p>The Zugspitze Kammstollen is a 850m long tunnel located between 2660 and 2780m a.s.l., a few decameters under the mountain ridge. First ERT monitoring was conducted in 2007 (Krautblatter et al., 2010) and has been followed by more than one decade of intensive field work. This has led to the collection of a unique multi-approach data set of still unpublished data. Continuous logging of environmental parameters such as rock/air temperatures and water infiltration through joints as well as a dedicated thermal model (Schröder and Krautblatter, in review) provide important additional knowledge on bedrock internal dynamics. Summer ERT and seismic refraction tomography surveys with manual and automated joints’ displacement measurements on the ridge offer information on external controls, complemented by three weather stations and a 44m long borehole within 1km from the tunnel.</p><p>Year-round access to the area enables uninterrupted monitoring and maintenance of instruments for reliable data collection. “Precisely controlled natural conditions”, restricted access for researchers only and logistical support by Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus, make this tunnel particularly attractive for developing benchmark experiments. Some examples are the design of induced polarization monitoring, the analysis of tunnel spring water for isotopes investigation, and the multi-annual mass monitoring by means of relative gravimetry.</p><p>Here, we present the recently modernized layout of the outdoor laboratory with the latest monitoring results, opening a discussion on further possible approaches of this extensive multi-approach data set, aiming at understanding not only permafrost thermal evolution but also the connected thermo-hydro-mechanical processes.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Krautblatter, M. et al. (2010) ‘Temperature-calibrated imaging of seasonal changes in permafrost rock walls by quantitative electrical resistivity tomography (Zugspitze, German/Austrian Alps)’, Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 115(2), pp. 1–15. doi: 10.1029/2008JF001209.</p><p>Scandroglio, R. et al. (in review) ‘4D-Quantification of alpine permafrost degradation in steep rock walls using a laboratory-calibrated ERT approach (in review)’, Near Surface Geophysics.</p><p>Schröder, T. and Krautblatter, M. (in review) ‘A high-resolution multi-phase thermo-geophysical model to verify long-term electrical resistivity tomography monitoring in alpine permafrost rock walls (Zugspitze, German/Austrian Alps) (submitted)’, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms.</p>

scholarly journals Subsurface characterization of a quick-clay vulnerable area using near-surface geophysics and hydrological modelling

Solid Earth ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1685-1705
Author(s):  
Silvia Salas-Romero ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Ian Snowball ◽  
Benoît Dessirier
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Hydrological Modelling ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Geotechnical Investigations ◽  
Quick Clay ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics

Abstract. Quick-clay landslides are common geohazards in Nordic countries and Canada. The presence of potential quick clays is confirmed using geotechnical investigations, but near-surface geophysical methods, such as seismic and resistivity surveys, can also help identify coarse-grained materials associated with the development of quick clays. We present the results of reflection seismic investigations on land and in part of the Göta River in Sweden, along which many quick-clay landslide scars exist. This is the first time that such a large-scale reflection seismic investigation has been carried out to study the subsurface structures associated with quick-clay landslides. The results also show a reasonable correlation with radio magnetotelluric and travel-time tomography models of the subsurface. Other ground geophysical data, such as high magnetic values, suggest a positive correlation with an increased thickness of the coarse-grained layer and shallower depths to the top of the bedrock and the top of the coarse-grained layer. The morphology of the river bottom and riverbanks, e.g. subaquatic landslide deposits, is shown by side-scan sonar and bathymetric data. Undulating bedrock, covered by subhorizontal sedimentary glacial and postglacial deposits, is clearly revealed. An extensive coarse-grained layer (P-wave velocity mostly between 1500 and 2500 m s−1 and resistivity from approximately 80 to 100 Ωm) exists within the sediments and is interpreted and modelled in a regional context. Several fracture zones are identified within the bedrock. Hydrological modelling of the coarse-grained layer confirms its potential for transporting fresh water infiltrated in fractures and nearby outcrops located in the central part of the study area. The modelled groundwater flow in this layer promotes the leaching of marine salts from the overlying clays by seasonal inflow–outflow cycles and/or diffusion, which contributes to the formation of potential quick clays.

Target-oriented optimized survey design and quantitative comparison for 3D electrical resistivity tomography

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lincheng Jiang ◽  
Gang Tian ◽  
Bangbing Wang ◽  
Amr Abd El-Raouf
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Quantitative Comparison ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Target Set ◽  
Survey Designs

<p>In recent decades, geoelectrical methods have played a very important role in near-surface investigation. The most widely used of these methods is electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Regardless of the forward and inversion algorithms used, the original data collected from a survey is the most important factor for quality of the resulted model. However, 3D electrical resistivity survey design continues to be based on data sets recorded using one or more of the standard electrode arrays. There is a recognized need for the 3D survey design to get better resolution using fewer data. Choosing suitable data from the comprehensive data set is a great approach. By reasonable selecting, better resolution can be obtained with fewer electrodes and measurements than conventional arrays. Previous research has demonstrated that the optimized survey design using the 'Compare R' method can give a nice performance.</p><p>This paper adds target-oriented selection and modified the original 'Compare R' method. The survey design should be focused on specific target areas, which need a priori information about the subsurface properties. We select electrodes and configurations as the target set by the comprehensive set firstly which meets the requirements of the target area. The number of measurements and electrodes is much less than the comprehensive set and the model resolution matrix takes less time to calculate. At the next step for rank, we calculate the sensitivity matrix of the target set only once and then calculate the contribution degree of each measurement separately from it. The time of iterative calculation of the resolution matrix when measurements set changing is less than the original method.</p><p>The traditional method of evaluating RMS is not appropriate for comparing the quality of collected data by different survey designs. SSIM (structural similarity index) gives more reliable measures of image similarity better than the RMS. The curves of SSIM values in three dimensions and the average SSIM are given as quantitative comparisons. Besides, the frequency of electrodes utilized given to guides on selecting the highest used electrodes. Finally, the curves of the average relative resolution S and the number of electrodes as the number of measurements increase are given, which proves the method works effectively.</p><p>The results show the significance of using target-oriented optimized survey design, as it selects fewer electrodes and arrays than the original CR method. Also, it produces better resolution than conventional arrays and takes less calculation time. 3D SSIM, frequency of electrodes used, the relationship between average relative resolution, number of electrodes and number of measurements, these quantitative comparison methods can effectively evaluate the data collected in various survey designs.</p>

scholarly journals Electrical resistivity tomography applied to geologic, hydrogeologic, and engineering investigations at a former waste-disposal site

Geophysics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. B231-B239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan E. Chambers ◽  
Oliver Kuras ◽  
Philip I. Meldrum ◽  
Richard D. Ogilvy ◽  
Jonathan Hollands
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Site Investigation ◽  
High Resistivity ◽  
Potential Zone ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
L2 Norm ◽  
Resistivity Model ◽  
2D And 3D ◽  
2D Resistivity

A former dolerite quarry and landfill site was investigated using 2D and 3D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), with the aims of determining buried quarry geometry, mapping bedrock contamination arising from the landfill, and characterizing site geology. Resistivity data were collected from a network of intersecting survey lines using a Wenner-based array configuration. Inversion of the data was carried out using 2D and 3D regularized least-squares optimization methods with robust (L1-norm) model constraints. For this site, where high resistivity contrasts were present, robust model constraints produced a more accurate recovery of subsurface structures when compared to the use of smooth (L2-norm) constraints. Integrated 3D spatial analysis of the ERT and conventional site investigation data proved in this case a highly effective means of characterizing the landfill and its environs. The 3D resistivity model was successfully used to confirm the position of the landfill boundaries, which appeared as electrically well-defined features that corresponded extremely closely to both historic maps and intrusive site investigation data. A potential zone of leachate migration from the landfill was identified from the electrical models; the location of this zone was consistent with the predicted direction of groundwater flow across the site. Unquarried areas of a dolerite sill were imaged as a resistive sheet-like feature, while the fault zone appeared in the 2D resistivity model as a dipping structure defined by contrasting bedrock resistivities.

scholarly journals Mountain permafrost degradation documented through a network of permanent electrical resistivity tomography sites

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coline Mollaret ◽  
Christin Hilbich ◽  
Cécile Pellet ◽  
Adrian Flores-Orozco ◽  
Reynald Delaloye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Permafrost Degradation ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mountain Permafrost ◽  
Ice Water

Abstract. Mountain permafrost is sensitive to climate change and is expected to gradually degrade in response to the ongoing atmospheric warming trend. Long-term monitoring the permafrost thermal state is a key task, but it is problematic where temperatures are close to 0 °C. The energy exchange is indeed often dominantly related to latent heat effects associated with phase change (ice/water), rather than ground warming or cooling. Consequently, it is difficult to detect significant spatio-temporal variations of ground properties (e.g. ice-water ratio) that occur during the freezing/thawing process with point scale temperature monitoring alone. Hence, electrical methods have become popular in permafrost investigations as the resistivities of ice and water differ by several orders of magnitude, theoretically allowing a clear distinction between frozen and unfrozen ground. In this study we present an assessment of mountain permafrost evolution using long-term electrical resistivity tomography monitoring (ERTM) from a network of permanent sites in the Central Alps. The time series consist of more than 1000 data sets from six sites, where resistivities have been measured on a regular basis for up to twenty years. We identify systematic sources of error and apply automatic filtering procedures during data processing. In order to constrain the interpretation of the results, we analyse inversion results and long-term resistivity changes in comparison with existing borehole temperature time series. Our results show that the resistivity data set provides the most valuable insights at the melting point. A prominent permafrost degradation trend is evident for the longest time series (19 years), but also detectable for shorter time series (about a decade) at most sites. In spite of the wide range of morphological, climatological and geological differences between the sites, the observed inter-annual resistivity changes and long-term tendencies are similar for all sites of the network.

scholarly journals Subsurface structures of a quick-clay sliding prone area revealed using land-river reflection seismic data and hydrogeological modelling

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Salas-Romero ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Ian Snowball ◽  
Benoît Dessirier
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Magnetic Data ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Side Scan Sonar ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Subsurface Structures ◽  
Geotechnical Investigations ◽  
Quick Clay

Abstract. Quick-clay landslides are common geohazards in Nordic countries and Canada. The presence of potential quick clays is confirmed using geotechnical investigations, but near-surface geophysical methods, such as seismic and resistivity surveys, can also help identifying coarse-grained materials associated to the development of quick clays. We present the results of reflection seismic investigations on land and in part of the Göta River in Sweden, along which many quick-clay landslide scars exist. This is the first time that such a large-scale reflection seismic investigation has been carried out to study the subsurface structures associated with quick-clay landslides. The results also show a reasonable correlation with the radio magnetotelluric and traveltime tomography models. The morphology of the river bottom and riverbanks, as e.g. subaquatic landslide deposits, is shown by side-scan sonar and bathymetric data. Undulating bedrock, covered by subhorizontal sedimentary glacial and postglacial deposits is clearly revealed. An extensive coarse-grained layer exists in the sedimentary sequence and is interpreted and modelled in a regional context. Individual fractures and fracture zones are identified within bedrock and sediments. Hydrological modelling of the coarse-grained layer confirms its potential for transporting fresh water infiltrated in fractures and nearby outcrops. The groundwater flow in the coarse-grained layer promotes leaching of marine salts from the overlying clays by slow infiltration and/or diffusion, which helps in the formation of potential quick clays. Magnetic data show coarse-grained materials at the landslide scar located in the study area, which may have acted as a sliding surface together with quick clays.

scholarly journals Cross-Section Resistivity Detection of Tree (Swietenia Magahoni and Gmelina) Using ERT Method

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Evi Fazriati ◽  
Asep Purnama ◽  
Gian Agistian Algifari ◽  
Irene Siti Amilah Muslimah ◽  
Fitria Hapsari Puteri Sumanto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Nondestructive Method ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Living Tree ◽  
Value Range ◽  
2D Resistivity ◽  
Swietenia Mahagoni ◽  
Monitoring Activity

The existence of trees is very beneficial for humans’ life. There are utilizations of tree such as urban planning and reforestation. However, the tree can be dangerous when the tree is aged and decay because of several factors that might be cause fallen tree. Furthermore, the monitoring activity is needed to know the condition of the tree. One of the methods that can be used to detect hollow in living tree is Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT). The ERT is an efficient and nondestructive method that can be potential to estimate resistivity cross section. The measurement of ERT conducted on Swietenia mahagoni and Gmelina with unhealthy and healthy condition visually. The data processed using Res2Dinv and reconstructed for obtaining 2D resistivity cross section. The results shows that the unhealthy Swietenia mahagoni has logarithmic resistivity value range between 0.1-1 Ωm and the healthy Swietenia mahagoni has 1-4 Ωm. Meanwhile, the unhealthy and healthy Gmelina has logarithmic resistivity value range between 0.5-4.5 Ωm and 0.5-3 Ωm, respectively. It is shows that the tree indicated health visually from biological view does not mean the tree is decay. It might be influenced by phenology factor and/or the species of the tree.

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