The development of integrated high-resolution geophysical, photogrammetric and GPS surveying applied to landslides in the South Wales coalfield

The aim of this research is to develop an integrated and cost-effective site investigation approach for slow moving landslides or potentially unstable slopes found within the South Wales Coalfield, an area of complex geology and hydrogeology. The research was based on the use and assessment of a wide range of surface geophysical techniques, supported by GPS and Digital Photogrammetry surveying, and the joint interpretation of the results which such techniques provide. The South Wales Coalfield has one of the highest concentrations of urban landslides in the UK due to its layered Carboniferous geology. Quaternary / Holocene geomorphology, coal mining history and relatively high rainfall. Mynydd yr Eglwys landslide (Ystrad, Rhondda Cynon Taff) was selected as the field study site because it can be considered representative of the active landslides found within the area. In autumn 1998, following an exceptional heavy rainfall period, a new compound deep- seated failure developed in a previously mined hillslope. This deep-seated failure then caused the reactivation of ancient periglacial debris slides downslope creating a serious risk to the modern housing estate located close to the toe. Electromagnetic (GEM-2), self potential, electrical resistivity tomography, seismic refraction tomography, MASW and induced polarization geophysical data were all acquired on the landslide. This combination of techniques provided information on lithology, faulting, degree of rock fracturing/weathering, thickness of displaced material, spatial distribution of areas with high water/clay content and the direction of groundwater flow. The repetition of a few ERT and SP profiles showed the applicability of geophysical monitoring in detecting changes in groundwater content and defining preferential groundwater pathways within the hillslope. Digital Photogrammetry from Helium balloon can provide a 3D landslide topographic model with 10cm-level accuracy. Topcon HiPer Pro GPS+ instrument can be used in RTK mode to monitor movement with 12mm and 15mm horizontal and vertical precision respectively