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Mapping a Nation’s Landslides: A Novel Multi-Stage Methodology

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Abstract

Through combining new technologies and traditional mapping techniques, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has developed a novel, multi-stage methodology for landslide mapping. 3-D aerial photograph interpretation, variable-perspective 3-D topographic visualisation and field mapping with digital data capture are being used to map the UK’s landslides. The resulting ESRI ArcGIS polygons are published on BGS 1:50,000 geological maps and as digital data products. Data collected during mapping are also uploaded directly into the National Landslides Database maintaining a systematic, nationally-uniform landslide inventory. Repeat monitoring of selected landslides using terrestrial LIDAR and dGPS allows the database to be frequently updated and the proactive Landslide Response Team means that new landslide events can be mapped within days, if not hours, of their occurrence. The long-term aim is to apply this methodology throughout the UK, providing a wealth of data for scientific research and hazard assessment. This methodology is also suitable for application in an international context.

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Acknowledgements

The authors publish with the permission of the Executive Director of the British Geological Survey (Natural Environment Research Council). The National Grid and other Ordnance Survey data are used with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Licence No: 100017897/2010. Mars data acquired by D. Tragheim (BGS).

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Correspondence to Hannah Evans .

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© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Evans, H., Pennington, C., Jordan, C., Foster, C. (2013). Mapping a Nation’s Landslides: A Novel Multi-Stage Methodology. In: Margottini, C., Canuti, P., Sassa, K. (eds) Landslide Science and Practice. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31325-7_2

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