| Deep seated landslides develop fine-scale geomorphic forms such as cracks and internal scars, forming rough surfaces as they move. Because the data density of LiDAR measurement is of sufficient detail to extract these forms, DEM-derived surface fabric filters can be used to estimate their recent activity. To utilize LiDAR data for this purpose, it is first necessary to establish the relationships that exist between filter values and actual surface features, and slide activities. These relationships are expected to differ between sites, reflecting the local geological and topographic characteristics, and the resolution and grid size of DEMs. In this presentation, these relationships are investigated at three study sites in Japan. The major geologies were Tertiary Tuff at two sites and sheared Mesozoic sedimentary rocks at the other. DEM cell sizes ranged from 1 to 5 m. The eigenvalue ratio, which represents the 3-dimensional surface roughness, was calculated from the DEMs. The spatial pattern of cell values within landslide blocks was compared with local surface features and slide conditions observed in the field. Results suggest that similar surface features were likely to be expressed in a higher and wider range of eigenvalue ratios as DEM grid size increased. Change in grid size, however, did not greatly alter their spatial distribution patterns. Consequently, the different major hillslope processes could be highlighted by comparing the patterns of recently active blocks from each site. In the Mesozoic sedimentary rock site, active slides contained steep slope parts which were characterized by a higher proportion of cells with an eigenvalue ratio < 2.5, when compared with surrounding areas. These low values mostly represent cracks in bedrock outcrops and scars. In contrast, the softer underlying rocks at the Tuff sites, has allowed landslides to evolve with gentle slopes, while maintaining a slow but consistent downslope motion. Here, there were a high proportion of eigenvalue ratios from 4 to 5, representing the undulating surface form. |
