Characterization of pre-failure deformation and evolution of a large earthflow using InSAR monitoring and optical image interpretation
At 6pm on July 19, 2019, the Yahuokou earthflow (Zhouqu County, Gansu Province, China) was reactivated following a period of intense rainfall. A volume of approximately 3.9 × 10 6 m 3 travelled approximately 1100 m in 27 days, blocking part of the Min River. Multi-temporal InSAR monitoring and inter...
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Published in | Landslides Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 35 - 50 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Berlin/Heidelberg
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
2022
Springer Nature B.V |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | At 6pm on July 19, 2019, the Yahuokou earthflow (Zhouqu County, Gansu Province, China) was reactivated following a period of intense rainfall. A volume of approximately 3.9 × 10
6
m
3
travelled approximately 1100 m in 27 days, blocking part of the Min River. Multi-temporal InSAR monitoring and interpretation of high-resolution optical images were used to map different phase of mass movements (including rock fall, topple, slide, and flowslide) to characterize the pre-failure deformation of the earthflow. Analysis of displacement patterns indicates that initiation of the earthflow is closely correlated with road construction, intense and long-lasting rainfall (443 mm from April 1, to July 19, 2019), and seismic activity. The potential to forecast the time of failure based on pre-failure deformation patterns observed by InSAR monitoring is demonstrated. Three types of pre-failure deformation are distinguished: steady creep, fluctuating creep, and accelerating creep. The monitoring process enabled identification and characterization of three key stages of the earthflow (initiation, transportation, and accumulation/deposition) providing important lessons learned for improvement of landslide early warning and hazard assessment in similar geological and geomorphological settings. |
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ISSN: | 1612-510X 1612-5118 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s10346-021-01744-z |