Geological and Geophysical Characterization Using Electrical Resistivity Imaging of Certain Landslides at Djimla region (Jijel, Northeast Algeria)

Abstract

Slope failure is a complex phenomenon that may cause landslides. Buildings and infrastructure, such as transportation facilities and pipelines, located within the boundaries of a landslide can be damaged or destroyed. The region of Djimla, like all regions of northern Algeria, has several sites affected by these landslides. This work aims to characterize the Tamentout landslides (PK42 + 260 and PK 43 + 050) located in the southeast of the Jijel province. From the geological point of view, this zone belongs to the Tellian domain represented by Senonian formation, mainly composed of marls deposits topped by Numidian flysch formations of Aquitano-Burdigalian age with a topographic slope within a range of 10°–15°. The geophysical approach consists in processing available geophysical data of electrical resistivity by exploiting these data in the form of electrical images of the ground. This geophysical approach aims to delineate lithology and geometry of the formations at the landslide sites, as well as the depth of slip suface associated with these landslides. The results of electrical resistivity tomography, coupled with the data of geological and geotechnical investigations, show a very good correlation of the structure of these studied landslides. The precise determination of the depth of the shear zone is of paramount importance to carry out the stabilization measures of this unstable zone.