New Real-Time Landslide Monitoring System in Polish Carpathians

Abstract

The first in Poland fully automated real-time landslide monitoring and warning system was implemented in Beskid Niski Mountains. Project was financed by EU funds. Investigated region was characterized by the high landslide risk. A public road, a new bridge, private buildings and important infrastructure were located in risk area. Landslides had difficult engineering geology conditions with active mass movements to the depth of 7–20 m below the natural terrain level. Observed ground movements were varied 5–180 mm in 3 years time. Lithology represented mainly soft clayey soils interbeded by stiff sandstones with shallow groundwater level. Partial stabilization of active landslide area were implemented in the end of 2009. However ground movements of 10–15 mm were observed in some parts of the landslides after that time. They have significantly accelerated in May–June 2010, because of record precipitations and a flood in southern Poland. New instrumentation completed in June 2010. It included three landslide monitoring and one meteorological field stations. Monitoring devices included 3D inclinometers, 60 sensors to the depths of 14–16 m, three uniaxial in-place IP sensors, two automatic VW pore pressure as well as groundwater level and temperature transducers. Meteorological monitoring included automatic monitoring of precipitation, air pressure, air humidity, and air temperature values. All data every hour were transferred into the Internet. It should allow recognizing of landslide processes nature and predict alarm warnings for a public road and a new bridge. Special data interpretation software will help to recognize risk conditions. It will sent early warning SMS messages. Continuous monitoring will be conducted till the end of 2012.