Case study of electrical resistivity tomography measurements used in landslides investigation, Southern Poland

Abstract

Mass movements are an ever present threat to building construction, water management, vegetation formation and biodiversity. This paper presents an approach to landslides research based on non-invasive geoelectrical method - Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT). Mapping and displacement monitoring of unstable slopes is crucial for the hazards prevention and assessment. The ERT technique is an effective tool to obtain structural differentiation of geological medium through interpretation of 2D electrical resistivity models. The main advantage of the method is a wide range of applicability what makes its useful during field works on a landslide. It is commonly used for measurements of slope instability, determination of shear surface, landslide susceptibility, depth of bedrock, slip plane geometry. The aim of the work is to identify the geological structures underneath three selected landslides in south Poland: in Racibórz, Milówka and Porąbka. Attempts have been focused on determination of the usefulness of the proposed ERT methodology for evaluation of possible further development of mass movements. On two investigation sites two different arrays have been used: Wenner-Schlumberger and dipole-dipole which allowed to prepare combined data set and resistivity models based on them. Forward modelling of synthetic models based on a priori information allowed to understand anomalies present on resistivity models. Applied approach ensured quality increase of final interpretation of resistivity models.