Resolving Landslide-Bedrock Interaction by Nanoseismic Monitoring

Applying high-resolution Nanoseismic Monitoring to different slope instabilities in the Alps, we were able to observe the existence of fracture processes that resolve the creeping of slope material into sequences of discrete ‘slide quake’ events. At Heumoes slope, Austria, the locations of slide quakes are clustered in the mid-part of the slope exhibiting lower displacement rates than the remaining slope. In contrast, at the mudslide in Super-Sauze, France, the epicenters of located slide quakes correlates well with areas of highest displacement rates. These different behaviors are caused by the completely different layout of bedrock topography which directly influences dilatation and stress relief within the slope material.