Abstract
A landslide located on the Quesnel River in British Columbia, Canada is used as a case study to demonstrate the utility of a multi-geophysical approach to subsurface mapping of unstable slopes. Ground penetrating radar (GPR), direct current (DC) resistivity and seismic reflection and refraction surveys were conducted over the landslide and adjacent terrain. Geophysical data were interpreted based on stratigraphic and geomorphologic observations, including the use of digital terrain models (DTMs), and then integrated into a 3-dimensional model. GPR surveys yielded high-resolution data that were correlated with stratigraphic units to a maximum depth of 25 m. DC electrical resistivity offered limited data on specific units but was effective for resolving stratigraphic relationships between units to a maximum depth of 40 m. Seismic surveys were primarily used to obtain unit boundaries up to a depth of >80 m. Surfaces of rupture and separation were successfully identified by GPR and DC electrical resistivity techniques.
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Acknowledgements
The Geological Survey of Canada has provided the primary funding for this research with secondary funding from the British Columbia Geological Survey Branch. In addition, the GPR unit was kindly supplied by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation. The authors thank Adrian Hickin, Roger Paulen, Katie Dexter, Nicole Vinette, Paul Grant and Hart Bichler for their invaluable contributions in the field. This project has also benefited from collaboration with Marten Geertsema of the Ministry of Forests. Digital terrain models were produced by McElhanney Consultants Ltd. and elevation change maps and associated volume calculations were conducted by Geosolutions Ltd.
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Bichler, A., Bobrowsky, P., Best, M. et al. Three-dimensional mapping of a landslide using a multi-geophysical approach: the Quesnel Forks landslide. Landslides 1, 29–40 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-003-0008-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-003-0008-7