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News Landslip Time-Lapse

7 October 2024 Holly Eckersley

The Time-Lapse of Land Slips

Landslides, or land slips, are natural processes involving the movement of earth, rock, or debris down a slope due to gravity. They can be triggered by a variety of factors, including heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, erosion, and human interference such as deforestation and construction. Time-lapse photography, which captures these movements over extended periods, offers a unique opportunity to study the dynamics of land slips in detail. It helps geologists, engineers, and environmental scientists monitor these shifts, understand their patterns, and improve early warning systems to mitigate damage.

An image of a bay. Time-Lapse of Land slips.

Geological Conditions Leading to Land Slips

Land slips do not occur randomly but are often preceded by changes in the geological conditions of the affected area. Time-lapse studies have shown that these changes may be gradual, occurring over months or years, or rapid, within hours or days, depending on the underlying causes.

Soil Composition: The type of soil in a region greatly affects the likelihood of land slips. Clayey soils, for example, tend to absorb water more easily than sandy soils, making them more prone to instability during periods of heavy rainfall. Time-lapse recordings reveal how saturated soil loses its cohesion and begins to slide downhill, particularly after intense storms.

Rock Structure: In mountainous regions, the type and structure of underlying rock also play a critical role. Fault lines, fractures, or weathered rock beds increase susceptibility to slips. Time-lapse images have documented the slow disintegration of rock faces, with small movements eventually leading to larger rockfalls.

Vegetation Loss: Vegetation helps stabilise the soil by holding it together through root systems. Time-lapse studies in deforested areas show a marked increase in land slips compared to regions with healthy vegetation cover. The removal of trees and other plants weakens the soil’s structure, making it more vulnerable to sliding, particularly on steep slopes.

In this YouTube video by ArizonaDOT they show the full repair and clean-up operation after a rock landslide. Over the course of three and a half months they show their team moving around one million cubic yards of debris after the Arizona 89 landslide. This landslide occurred in February 2013 and it destroyed 150 feet of highway.

 

Human Activities and Land Slips

Human activities such as mining, construction, and deforestation significantly alter the landscape and increase the probability of land slips. Time-lapse photography provides a clear visual record of the relationship between human interference and slope stability.

Construction and Excavation: Urban development in hilly or mountainous regions often involves excavation and reshaping of land, which disturbs the natural equilibrium of slopes. For example, time-lapse footage of road or building construction shows how the removal of material from a slope can weaken it, leading to land slips over time.

Mining Operations: In areas where mining is prevalent, time-lapse photography has recorded the destabilisation of slopes due to both surface and underground mining activities. The removal of large volumes of earth and rock, coupled with the vibrations from heavy machinery, can cause land slips. Over time, as recorded by time-lapse sequences, these areas show progressive sagging and eventual collapse.

Agriculture: Agricultural activities, particularly on sloping land, can also increase the likelihood of land slips. The clearing of forests for farming disrupts the natural drainage of water, causing it to collect in certain areas and weaken the soil. Time-lapse studies in agricultural regions often show how rainfall accumulates over time, leading to increased pressure on the soil and eventual slips.

Weather Patterns and Land Slips

Weather is one of the most significant triggers of land slips, and time-lapse photography is a useful tool in tracking how changing weather patterns affect the land over time. Certain conditions make land slips more likely, with rainfall and snowmelt being the primary culprits.

Rainfall and Soil Saturation: Heavy or prolonged rainfall is one of the most common causes of land slips. Time-lapse footage reveals the process by which water infiltrates the soil, saturating it until it can no longer hold together. In many cases, this process unfolds gradually, with the soil showing early signs of movement days or even weeks before a major slip occurs.

Snowmelt: In colder climates, snowmelt is another significant factor in causing land slips. Time-lapse sequences show how snow accumulates over the winter months, and as temperatures rise, the snow melts, causing water to seep into the ground. This water can undermine the integrity of the soil, especially if it occurs quickly. Rapid snowmelt can overwhelm natural drainage systems, leading to an increased risk of land slips.

Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Time-lapse footage in regions with frequent freeze-thaw cycles shows how the expansion and contraction of water in the soil can gradually destabilise slopes. During the freeze phase, water in the ground expands, putting pressure on the soil structure. When the water thaws, it leaves gaps, weakening the soil and making it more prone to slipping. Over time, these small, incremental changes can lead to significant land slips.

In this YouTube video by Christine Carrelli, it shows a dam being breached and the flooding of the surrounding area. The video starts with time-lapse photography of a landslide in the Chilcotin River in North British Columbia, which caused significant flooding down river. The landslide was caused due to erosion of sand and slit. Sadly, local news media reported damage to a key bridge and indigenous cultural sites along the river.

Monitoring Land Slip Progression

One of the most valuable aspects of time-lapse photography in the study of land slips is its ability to capture subtle, slow-moving changes that might otherwise go unnoticed. While sudden, dramatic slips are often the most damaging, many land slips occur incrementally over long periods.

Slow-Moving Landslides: Some land slips occur so gradually that they are nearly imperceptible to the naked eye. Time-lapse photography allows researchers to observe these slow-moving landslides in detail. Over months or even years, these slow movements can cause significant damage to infrastructure such as roads, pipelines, and buildings. By analysing time-lapse footage, scientists can identify patterns in the movement of the earth, providing early warnings of impending larger slips.

Sudden Slips: In contrast to slow-moving landslides, some land slips happen suddenly and with little warning. Time-lapse footage of such events often captures the conditions leading up to the slip, such as heavy rainfall, soil saturation, or other stressors. This footage can be crucial in understanding the final triggers for these events, helping to refine predictive models and improve disaster preparedness.

Creep Movements: Time-lapse photography is particularly useful in detecting “creep” movements, where soil or rock moves at an almost imperceptibly slow pace. This creeping movement can lead to small but constant adjustments in slope stability. Over time, these small movements may result in larger land slips. Creep is often difficult to detect without time-lapse monitoring, but its presence is a critical indicator of potential land slip risk.

In this YouTube video by The Independent, it shows a mudslide taking place in San Bernardino, California. The area was swiftly covered, and further rainstorms left residents in fear that more mudslides would take place. Falling boulders and debris destroyed 16 peoples’ homes and some areas were swamped in over 16 feet of mud. This video uses time-lapse photography to articulate the scale and speed of the mud slide.

Time-lapse photography offers valuable insights into the dynamics of land slips by capturing subtle changes over time that might otherwise be missed. Through detailed observation, time-lapse sequences help reveal the gradual processes that lead to large-scale slips, such as soil saturation, weather changes, and human activity. They also allow scientists and engineers to monitor both slow-moving and sudden slips, improving our understanding of these natural events and contributing to better prediction and mitigation strategies.

This long-term observation technique has become an essential tool in the study of geological hazards, providing a powerful visual record of the factors that contribute to land slips and enabling a more proactive approach to managing landslide-prone areas. With climate change and urbanisation increasing the risk of land slips, continued use of time-lapse photography in geological studies will be critical for protecting infrastructure, minimising environmental damage, and, most importantly, saving lives.

At Time-Lapse Systems we have worked for a number of flood defence schemes all over the country, including a recent project for Alun Griffiths in Wales. Our engineers and certified drone pilots, Paul and Josh, travelled down to Newport to install a number of our bespoke time-lapse cameras, which will capture the full sheet wall being constructed. They also filmed the site using drones, which has since gained attention in the media. Our team of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) certified drone pilots used the highest specification drones to get our wonderful footage. Drones offer a fantastic way to film a site from a height that other cameras could not reach, giving a contextual view of the landscape. Many of our clients incorporate drone footage within their time-lapse films to add impact and as a tool to show the scale of their projects against the local surroundings.

 

If you would like to hear more about the services we offer, please get in touch.

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