Landslides early warning monitoring system

In most cases the occurrence of a landslide is originated by the loss in equilibrium of the soil mass due to changes in one or more parameters, which contribute to leaving the mass itself stable. The landslide geometry, such as depth and affected volume, and its behavior, such as typology and kinematic characteristics, can be accurately predicted on the basis of precise geological and geotechnical soil characterization, and through the application of specific mathematical models. The "time" parameter, referring to prediction of the actual time of occurrence of a landslide and of its velocity, is in any case, difficult to estimate, as it implies knowledge of the time relationships of all the parameters that control slope stability. A real time monitoring system, based on sensors/instruments selected according to the characteristics of the soil mass, and placed where the first signs of movement are predicted to occur, could represent an effective tool for the transmission of both local and remote alerts, which enables the immediate activation of emergency procedures. Aquater has set up such a monitoring system called "Early warning monitoring system" based on "National Instrument" LabView software and an AID (analogue/digital) converter with internal processor, which collects data from a laser diastimeter, seismic detectors (geophones), pressure transducer to measure groundwater level variations and a rain gauge. The alerts are automatically activated when the other instruments placed on the landslide body confirm an out-of-range signal generated by a single instrument.