Application of combined electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and seismic refraction tomography (SRT) methods to investigate Xiaoshan District landslide site: Hangzhou, China

• Published in: Journal of applied geophysics Vol. 184; p. 104236
• Main Authors: Imani, Parisa, Tian, Gang, Hadiloo, Saeed, El-Raouf, Amr Abd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2021
• Subjects: ERT; Landslide; Near-surface geophysics; Non-invasive; SEM-EDS; SRT; Near-surface geophysics; Landslide; SRT; SEM-EDS; Non-invasive; ERT
• ISSN: 0926-9851; 1879-1859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2020.104236

Near surface geophysical methods have been used extensively as non-invasive and cost-effective methods to characterize subsurface geological properties over the past two decades. Since these approaches are able to illustrate the temporal and spatial changes of geological conditions, they are applied for the characterization of landslide zones. Landslides are one of many natural disasters that cause life and property losses. Landslide mechanisms are affected by topsoil materials, bedrock geometry, and subsurface water content. This paper presents study results for a landslide area located in the Xiaoshan district in Hangzhou City, China. The 2D seismic P-wave refraction tomography (SRT) and 2D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) methods were used to characterize the landslides in this area. The ERT technique was applied using four lines over and outside of the landslide scar using the Wenner electrode configuration. The SRT study was performed along four longitudinal profiles coincident with the ERT lines. Samples from two boreholes, located on two different profiles, and SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) testing provided calibration for of ERT and SRT measurements. The results of the combined techniques have defined the layers associated with sand and high clay content as well as the geometry of failure surfaces. •Investigating landslides as one of natural disasters by non-invasive methods•Considering geophysical methods as non-invasive and cost effective methods•Using the most effective geophysical techniques: ERT and SRT•Illustrating the 2D imaging of subsurface structures, boundaries and landslide body•Investigating an intact and unknown region, Yanshan village, Hangzhou