Terrestrial laser scanning for the montaguto landslide (Southern Italy)

Abstract

The evaluation of the landslide surface movements is often difficult because of the inaccessibility of these impervious areas. For this reason, a powerful tool for monitoring is the laser scanning technology (TLS). The landslide monitoring by TLS is complementary to terrestrial SAR interferometry and traditional monitoring techniques. While SAR interferometry is useful for rapid detection of the displacement velocity of monitored points, laser scanning technology also allows the displacement volume quantification (Schwalbe et al. 2008). These analysis provide important information for planning hazard management actions. Experimental surveys were performed for the Montaguto landslide (Campania, Italy), the greatest of Europe, by means of laser scanner Riegl LPM-321 (Alba et al. 2005), with measurement range up to 6,000 m. Differential volume maps from different surveys were obtained. The complex morphology of the Montaguto landslide, located in the Cervaro river valley, had required a viewshed analysis for the selection of the base station locations. Detailed laser scanner acquisitions were conducted on the tip landslide zone, because of the presence of strategic mobility. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.