scholarly journals Landslide Investigation Using Seismic Refraction Tomography Method: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (Vol. 64 (2021)) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Imani ◽  
Amr Abd El-Raouf ◽  
Gang Tian

Since the early 1960s, near-surface seismic refraction tomography (SRT) has been extensively used as a non-invasive and cost-effective geophysical method to characterize complex geological structures for landslide investigation. This geophysical technique is able to characterize the slope material, the sliding surface's geometry, the landslide mass movement, the physical properties of media, and the water saturation effects on the slope. Therefore, this method has become an appropriate method due to the increasing progress of novel algorithms and the improvements of field-data collection systems. In this paper, we attempt to review the essential research that investigated various types of landslides influenced by water saturation and landslide materials and identified in various areas, since the year 2000. Significant conclusions obtained by applying different survey strategies and data processing algorithms in seismic refraction surveys are widely discussed concentrating on the advantages and disadvantages of this method. The main results obtained by the few available studies applying time-lapse SRT (TLSRT) are particularly analyzed.

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1105-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Meric ◽  
S Garambois ◽  
D Jongmans ◽  
M Wathelet ◽  
J L Chatelain ◽  
...  

Several geophysical techniques (electromagnetic profiling, electrical tomography, seismic refraction tomography, and spontaneous potential and seismic noise measurement) were applied in the investigation of the large gravitational mass movement of Séchilienne. France. The aim of this study was to test the ability of these methods to characterize and delineate the rock mass affected by this complex movement in mica schists, whose lateral and vertical limits are still uncertain. A major observation of this study is that all the zones strongly deformed (previously and at present) by the movement are characterized by high electrical resistivity values (>3 kΩ·m), in contrast to the undisturbed mass, which exhibits resistivity values between a few hundred and 1 kΩ·m. As shown by the surface observations and the seismic results, this resistivity increase is due to a high degree of fracturing associated with the creation of air-filled voids inside the mass. Other geophysical techniques were tested along a horizontal transect through the movement, and an outstanding coherency appeared between the geophysical anomalies and the displacement rate curve. These preliminary results illustrate the benefits of combined geophysical techniques for characterizing the rock mass involved in the movement. Results also suggest that monitoring the evolution of the rock mass movement with time-lapse geophysical surveys could be beneficial.Key words: gravitational movement, geophysical methods, Séchilienne.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-162
Author(s):  
B Butchibabu ◽  
Prosanta Kumar Khan ◽  
P C Jha

Abstract This study aims for the protection of a crude-oil pipeline, buried at a shallow depth, against a probable environmental hazard and pilferage. Both surface and borehole geophysical techniques such as electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), ground penetrating radar (GPR), surface seismic refraction tomography (SRT), cross-hole seismic tomography (CST) and cross-hole seismic profiling (CSP) were used to map the vulnerable zones. Data were acquired using ERT, GPR and SRT along the pipeline for a length of 750 m, and across the pipeline for a length of 4096 m (over 16 profiles of ERT and SRT with a separation of 50 m) for high-resolution imaging of the near-surface features. Borehole techniques, based on six CSP and three CST, were carried out at potentially vulnerable locations up to a depth of 30 m to complement the surface mapping with high-resolution imaging of deeper features. The ERT results revealed the presence of voids or cavities below the pipeline. A major weak zone was identified at the central part of the study area extending significantly deep into the subsurface. CSP and CST results also confirmed the presence of weak zones below the pipeline. The integrated geophysical investigations helped to detect the old workings and a deformation zone in the overburden. These features near the pipeline produced instability leading to deformation in the overburden, and led to subsidence in close vicinity of the concerned area. The area for imminent subsidence, proposed based on the results of the present comprehensive geophysical investigations, was found critical for the pipeline.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-254
Author(s):  
Peter J. Hutchinson ◽  
Maggie H. Tsai

ABSTRACT Near-surface seismic refraction tomography imaged the basal contact of the Upper Cambrian silica-rich Mount Simon Formation with that of the underlying Precambrian granite in central Wisconsin. The discrimination between the Mount Simon and underlying non-conformable contact with Precambrian rocks was based upon a p-wave velocity of 1,700 m/s. Refraction tomography imaged deep, broad tidal channels within the Mount Simon consistent with the inference that Mount Simon was deposited in a high-energy near-shore, probably fluvial environment. The Mount Simon is an arenite that has high commercial value.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irena Gjorgjeska ◽  
Vlatko Sheshov ◽  
Kemal Edip ◽  
Dragi Dojchinovski

<p>Surface seismic methods are among the most popular, widely accepted, geophysical methods for near-surface characterization. The most practical and effective way to perform in-situ measurements and data processing using different seismic methods as are seismic refraction, seismic reflection and MASW method in an integrated approach is presented in this paper. Each method has some advantages and limitations, but their application in an integrated approach provides higher accuracy in subsurface modeling. The same seismic equipment and, in most of the cases, the same acquisition parameters were used, enabling time and cost effective survey for subsurface characterization. The choice of these parameters was not random. Experimental research by use of the above-mentioned seismic methods was carried out in a long period in order to define the optimal parameters for successful application of an integrated technique in future research. During this survey, particular attention was paid to the influence of the acquisition parameters on the dispersion image resolution in the MASW surveys and extraction of an effective dispersion curve.</p><p>The results of the performed surveys at characteristic locations in R. North Macedonia are presented to show the efficiency of the combined methods approach.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-38
Author(s):  
B. Butchibabu ◽  
Prosanta K. Khan ◽  
P.C. Jha

Geophysical investigations were carried out for evaluation of damage and to assess the possible causes for repeated occurrence of damage at one of the buildings constructed for oil pumping in the northern part of India. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Seismic Refraction Tomography (SRT) techniques were adopted for studying the subsurface of the area around the building with an objective of ascertaining the cause of damage. High resolution imaging was done using both the techniques in this investigation. ERT delineated the presence of low resistivity (2 ohm-m) water filled voids below the structures and mapped different subsurface layers such as sandy soil, clay and sandstone in the study area. SRT revealed P-wave velocity ( V P ) of the subsurface medium in the range of 400–3,400 m/s. Corresponding densities and S-wave velocities ( V S ) were determined based on Gardner's and Castagna's relationships. Subsequently, the V P , V S and the modulus values were used in estimating compressibility of soil and rock strata. Results showed near surface layers were characterized by high compressibility (26.673 × 10 −5 Pa −1 ), decreases with depth. This paper presents the details of the site, techniques used in the investigation and correlation of geophysical results with lithological information, and the subsequent analysis for understanding the distress in the subsurface of the study area.


Lithosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Ahmad Arnous ◽  
Martin Zeckra ◽  
Agostina Venerdini ◽  
Patricia Alvarado ◽  
Ramón Arrowsmith ◽  
...  

Abstract Uplift in the broken Andean foreland of the Argentine Santa Bárbara System (SBS) is associated with the contractional reactivation of basement anisotropies, similar to those reported from the thick-skinned Cretaceous-Eocene Laramide province of North America. Fault scarps, deformed Quaternary deposits and landforms, disrupted drainage patterns, and medium-sized earthquakes within the SBS suggest that movement along these structures may be a recurring phenomenon, with yet to be defined repeat intervals and rupture lengths. In contrast to the Subandes thrust belt farther north, where eastward-migrating deformation has generated a well-defined thrust front, the SBS records spatiotemporally disparate deformation along structures that are only known to the first order. We present herein the results of geomorphic desktop analyses, structural field observations, and 2D electrical resistivity tomography and seismic-refraction tomography surveys and an interpretation of seismic reflection profiles across suspected fault scarps in the sedimentary basins adjacent to the Candelaria Range (CR) basement uplift, in the south-central part of the SBS. Our analysis in the CR piedmont areas reveals consistency between the results of near-surface electrical resistivity and seismic-refraction tomography surveys, the locations of prominent fault scarps, and structural geometries at greater depth imaged by seismic reflection data. We suggest that this deformation is driven by deep-seated blind thrusting beneath the CR and associated regional warping, while shortening involving Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary strata in the adjacent basins was accommodated by layer-parallel folding and flexural-slip faults that cut through Quaternary landforms and deposits at the surface.


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