Identification of sliding surface using electrical-resistivity tomography for landslide mitigation: A case study of the Cibitung Landslide

Abstract

Landslide mitigation efforts require a knowledge of the geometry and depth of the sliding surface present in a landslide body. Electrical resistivity tomography is the most common geophysical method used in landslide investigation. This paper presents the results of a series of electrical resistivity tomography surveys performed using a dipole-dipole array configuration to identify the sliding surfaces within a landslide body located in the Cibitung landslide area. The ERT images parallel the landslide body suggest that the sliding surface located below the crown is characterized by a bedrock layer with very low resistivity values. This bedrock layer continues down-slope at a maximum depth of 9 m below the ground surface. In contrast, the landslide body is characterized by a higher resistivity value. Based on the interpretation of the ERT images, the landslide involved a non-circular deep sliding surface. The results of this study have been used, in combination with the geotechnical drilling data, to construct the landslide cross-section necessary to analyze landslide stability and subsequently to recommend a landslide stabilization measure.