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Quantitative monitoring of gravity erosion using a novel 3D surface measuring technique: validation and case study

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  • Xiang-Zhou Xu

  • Hong-Wu Zhang
  • Wen-Long Wang
  • Chao Zhao
  • Qiao Yan

Abstract

Gravity erosion is one of the most remarkable natural hazards in mountainous regions, especially on the Loess Plateau of China. Nevertheless, the measurement of failure mass is very difficult because gravity erosion usually occurs randomly and it combines with hydraulic erosion. Here, we present a novel testing technique that could quantitatively measure time-variable gravity erosion on the steep loess slopes. A structured-light 3D surface measuring apparatus, the Topography Meter, was designed and manufactured in our laboratory. Dynamic variation of the steep slope relief was monitored under rainfall simulation, and the slope deforming process was recorded by a computer video technology. With the help of laser marking, plane figures were vectorially transformed into 3D graphs, thus the shape of target surface was accurately computed. By comparing the slope geometries in the moments before and after the erosion incident on the snapshot images at a particular time, we could obtain the volume of gravity erosion and many other erosion data, including the volume of slide mass and the amount of soil loss eroded by overland flow. A series of calibration tests were conducted and the results showed that the accuracy of this technique was high and sufficient for exploring the mechanism of slope erosion. More than 120 rainfall simulation events were subsequently tested with the apparatus, further confirming its feasibility and reliability. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Xiang-Zhou Xu & Hong-Wu Zhang & Wen-Long Wang & Chao Zhao & Qiao Yan, 2015. "Quantitative monitoring of gravity erosion using a novel 3D surface measuring technique: validation and case study," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 75(2), pages 1927-1939, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:75:y:2015:i:2:p:1927-1939
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-014-1405-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dalia Kirschbaum & Robert Adler & Yang Hong & Stephanie Hill & Arthur Lerner-Lam, 2010. "A global landslide catalog for hazard applications: method, results, and limitations," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 52(3), pages 561-575, March.
    2. Yange Li & Guangqi Chen & Bo Wang & Lu Zheng & Yingbin Zhang & Chuan Tang, 2013. "A new approach of combining aerial photography with satellite imagery for landslide detection," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 66(2), pages 649-669, March.
    3. M. Parise & J. Wasowski, 1999. "Landslide Activity Maps for Landslide Hazard Evaluation: Three Case Studies from Southern Italy," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 20(2), pages 159-183, November.
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    1. X.-Z. Xu & Z.-Y. Liu & W.-L. Wang & H.-W. Zhang & Q. Yan & C. Zhao & W.-Z. Guo, 2015. "Which is more hazardous: avalanche, landslide, or mudslide?," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 76(3), pages 1939-1945, April.

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