Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Using wavelet tools to analyse seasonal variations from InSAR time-series data: a case study of the Huangtupo landslide

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Landslides Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) has proven to be a powerful tool for monitoring landslide movements with a wide spatial and temporal coverage. Interpreting landslide displacement time-series derived from InSAR techniques is a major challenge for understanding relationships between triggering factors and slope displacements. In this study, we propose the use of various wavelet tools, namely, continuous wavelet transform (CWT), cross wavelet transform (XWT) and wavelet coherence (WTC) for interpreting InSAR time-series information for a landslide. CWT enables time-series records to be analysed in time-frequency space, with the aim of identifying localized intermittent periodicities. Similarly, XWT and WTC help identify the common power and relative phase between two time-series records in time-frequency space, respectively. Statistically significant coherence and confidence levels against red noise (also known as brown noise or random walk noise) can be calculated. Taking the Huangtupo landslide (China) as an example, we demonstrate the capabilities of these tools for interpreting InSAR time-series information. The results show the Huangtupo slope is affected by an annual displacement periodicity controlled by rainfall and reservoir water level. Reservoir water level, which is completely regulated by the dam activity, is mainly in ‘anti-phase’ with natural rainfall, due to flood control in the Three Gorges Project. The seasonal displacements of the Huangtupo landslide is found to be ‘in-phase’ with respect to reservoir water level and the rainfall towards the front edge of the slope and to rainfall at the higher rear of the slope away from the reservoir.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berardino P, Fornaro G, Lanari R, Sansosti E (2002) A new algorithm for surface deformation monitoring based on small baseline differential sar interferograms. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 40:2375–2383. doi:10.1109/tgrs.2002.803792

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bin W, Huiming T, Jiebin Z, Wei X, Jun L (2007) Deformation and failure mechanisms of reservoir landslide considering fluid–solid coupling effect. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 26:4484–4489

    Google Scholar 

  • Bittelli M, Valentino R, Salvatorelli F, Rossi Pisa P (2012) Monitoring soil-water and displacement conditions leading to landslide occurrence in partially saturated clays. Geomorphology 173–174:161–173. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.06.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cascini L, Sorbino G, Cuomo S, Ferlisi S (2014) Seasonal effects of rainfall on the shallow pyroclastic deposits of the Campania region (southern Italy). Landslides 11:779–792. doi:10.1007/s10346-013-0395-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cazelles B, Chavez M, Berteaux D, Ménard F, Vik J, Jenouvrier S, Stenseth N (2008) Wavelet analysis of ecological time series. Oecologia 156:287–304. doi:10.1007/s00442-008-0993-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chai B, Yin K, Du J, Xiao L (2013) Correlation between incompetent beds and slope deformation at Badong town in the three Gorges reservoir, China. Environ Earth Sci 69:209–223. doi:10.1007/s12665-012-1948-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen S, Chen G-J, Xu G-L (2008) Mechanism of geological processes of formation and deformation of the Huangtupo landslide. Earth Sci J Chin Univ Geosci 33:411

    Google Scholar 

  • Cojean R, Caï Y (2011) Analysis and modeling of slope stability in the Three-Gorges dam reservoir (China)—the case of Huangtupo landslide. J Mount Sci 8:166–175. doi:10.1007/s11629-011-2100-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cruden DM, Varnes DJ (1996) Landslide types and processes. In: Turner AK, Schuster RL (eds) Landslides: investigation and mitigation (special report). National Research Council, Transportation and Research Board Special Report, Washington, DC, pp 36–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Deng QL, Zhu ZY, Cui ZQ, Wang XP (2000) Mass rock creep and landsliding on the Huangtupo slope in the reservoir area of the three Gorges project, Yangtze river, China. Eng Geol 58:67–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du J, Yin K, Lacasse S (2013) Displacement prediction in Colluvial landslides, three Gorges reservoir, China. Landslides 10:203–218. doi:10.1007/s10346-012-0326-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Z, Hang D, Xinyi Z (2010) Rainfall regime in three Gorges area in China and the control factors. Int J Climatol 30:1396–1406. doi:10.1002/joc.1978

    Google Scholar 

  • Gençay R, Selçuk F, Whitcher B (2001) Differentiating intraday seasonalities through wavelet multi-scaling. Physica A Stat Mech Appl 289:543–556. doi:10.1016/S0378-4371(00)00463-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grinsted A, Moore JC, Jevrejeva S (2004) Application of the cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence to geophysical time series. Nonlin Proc Geophys 11:6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He K, Li X, Yan X, Guo D (2008) The landslides in the three Gorges reservoir region, China and the effects of water storage and rain on their stability. Environ Geol 55:55–63. doi:10.1007/s00254-007-0964-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He K, Wang S, Du W, Wang S (2010) Dynamic features and effects of rainfall on landslides in the three gorges reservoir region, China: using the Xintan landslide and the large Huangya landslide as the examples. Environ Earth Sci 59:1267–1274. doi:10.1007/s12665-009-0114-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hooper A (2008) A multi-temporal insar method incorporating both persistent scatterer and small baseline approaches. Geophys Res Lett 35:1–5. doi:10.1029/2008gl034654

  • Hu X, Tang H, Li C, Sun R (2012a) Stability of huangtupo riverside slumping mass ii# under water level fluctuation of three Gorges reservoir. J Earth Sci 23:326–334. doi:10.1007/s12583-012-0259-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu XL, Tang HM, Li CD, Sun RX (2012b) Stability of Huangtupo i# landslide under three gorges reservoir operation. Appl Mech Mater 170–173:8. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.170-173.1116

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson S, Sleigh A (2000) Resettlement for China’s three gorges dam: socio-economic impact and institutional tensions. Commun Post Commun Stud 33:223–241. doi:10.1016/s0967-067x(00)00005-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang W-P, Huang B-Z, Ouyang H (2007) The monitoring technological method of landslide in Huangtupo. Resour Environ Eng 21:575–578

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang J, Ehret D, Xiang W, Rohn J, Huang L, Yan S, Bi R (2011) Numerical simulation of Qiaotou landslide deformation caused by drawdown of the three Gorges reservoir, China. Environ Earth Sci 62:411–419. doi:10.1007/s12665-010-0536-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiao Y-Y, Song L, Tang H-M, Li Y-A (2014) Material weakening of slip zone soils induced by water level fluctuation in the ancient landslides of three Gorges reservoir. Advan Mater Sci Eng 2014:9. doi:10.1155/2014/202340

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin Y, Wen-xing J, Hu-feng Y and Jiu-long Z (2012) Dynamic variation rule of phreatic line in Huangtupo landslide in the three gorges reservoir area. Rock Soil Mech 33:853–858

  • Liu P, Li Z, Hoey T, Kincal C, Zhang J, Zeng Q, Muller J-P (2013) Using advanced insar time series techniques to monitor landslide movements in Badong of the three Gorges region, China. Int J Appl Earth Observ Geoinformat 21:253–264. doi:10.1016/j.jag.2011.10.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NOC (2014) Crosswavelet and wavelet coherence. National Oceanography Center. Http://noc.Ac.Uk/using-science/crosswavelet-wavelet-coherence. Accessed 20 May 2015

  • Peng L, Xu S, Hou J, Peng J (2014) Quantitative risk analysis for landslides: the case of the three gorges area, China. Landslides. doi:10.1007/s10346-014-0518-5

  • Singleton A, Li Z, Hoey T, Muller JP (2014) Evaluating sub-pixel offset techniques as an alternative to dinsar for monitoring episodic landslide movements in vegetated terrain. Remote Sensing of Environment 147:133-144. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2014.03.003

  • Tang H, Hu X, Deng Q, Xiong C (2009) Research on the characteristics and slope deformation regularity of the Badong formation in the three Gorges reservoir area. In: Wang F, Li T (eds) Landslide disaster mitigation in three Gorges reservoir, China. Springer, Berlin, pp 87–113

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Tang H, Li C, Hu X, Su A, Wang L, Wu Y, Criss R, Xiong C, Li Y (2014) Evolution characteristics of the Huangtupo landslide based on in situ tunneling and monitoring. Landslides. doi:10.1007/s10346-014-0500-2

  • Tomás R, Li Z, Liu P, Singleton A, Hoey T, Cheng X (2014) Spatiotemporal characteristics of the Huangtupo landslide in the three Gorges region (China) constrained by radar interferometry. Geophys J Int 197:213–232. doi:10.1093/gji/ggu017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torrence C, Compo GP (1998) A practical guide to wavelet analysis. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 79:61–78. doi:10.1175/1520-0477(1998)079<0061:apgtwa>2.0.co;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tullos D (2009) Assessing the influence of environmental impact assessments on science and policy: an analysis of the three Gorges project. J Environ Manage 90(Supplement 3):S208–S223. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2008.07.031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang F-W, Zhang Y-M, Huo Z-T, Matsumoto T, Huang B-L (2004) The July 14, 2003 Qianjiangping landslide, three Gorges reservoir, China. Landslides 1:157–162. doi:10.1007/s10346-004-0020-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang F, Zhang Y, Huo Z, Peng X, Araiba K, Wang G (2008) Movement of the Shuping landslide in the first four years after the initial impoundment of the three Gorges dam reservoir, China. Landslides 5:321–329. doi:10.1007/s10346-008-0128-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Chen Y, Song L, Chen X, Xie H, Liu L (2013) Analysis of lengths, water areas and volumes of the three Gorges reservoir at different water levels using landsat images and srtm dem data. Quater Int 304:115–125. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2013.03.041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wen B, Chen H (2007) Mineral compositions and elements concentrations as indicators for the role of groundwater in the development of landslide slip zones: a case study of large-scale landslides in the three Gorges area in China. Earth Sci Front 14:98–106. doi:10.1016/s1872-5791(08)60006-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xia M, Ren G, Ma X (2013) Deformation and mechanism of landslide influenced by the effects of reservoir water and rainfall, three gorges, China. Nat Hazard 68:467–482. doi:10.1007/s11069-013-0634-x

  • Xie L (2009) Complex geological characteristics and mechanism and control technical of landsliding of Huangtupo at three gorges reservoir. Dissertation, Wuhan University of Technology

Download references

Acknowledgments

R. Tomás was supported by the Generalitat Valenciana fellowship BEST-2011/225 and by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport trough the project PRX14/00100. Part of this work is also supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and EU FEDER funds under project TEC2011-28201-C02-02, by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) through the GAS and LICS projects (ref. NE/H001085/1 and NE/K010794/1, respectively) as well as the ESA-MOST DRAGON-3 projects (ref. 10607 and 10665). We thank JPL/Caltech for the use of ROI_PAC, TU-Delft for DORIS and Andy Hooper for StaMPS in our data processing and analysis. The authors also acknowledge A. Grindsted, J.C. Moore and S. Jevrejeva for the MatLab package for CWT, XWT and WTC analysis and two anonymous reviewers and F. Raspini (University of Florence) for their constructive suggestions and comments, which have been carefully incorporated into the revised manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Alicante, P.O. Box 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain

    R. Tomás

  2. COMET, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    Z. Li & A. Singleton

  3. Instituto Universitario de Investigación Informática, Universidad de Alicante, P.O. Box 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain

    J. M. Lopez-Sanchez

  4. Key Laboratory for Geo-Environment Monitoring of Coastal Zone of the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geo-Information, College of Information Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China

    P. Liu

Authors
  1. R. Tomás
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Z. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. M. Lopez-Sanchez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Singleton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Tomás.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tomás, R., Li, Z., Lopez-Sanchez, J.M. et al. Using wavelet tools to analyse seasonal variations from InSAR time-series data: a case study of the Huangtupo landslide. Landslides 13, 437–450 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-015-0589-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-015-0589-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation