BEYOND LIDAR: ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR LANDSLIDE CHARACTERIZATION IN THE FIELD

While lidar has revolutionized landslide deposit mapping in the office, the Washington Geological Survey (WGS) has been testing various alternate technologies to improve landslide characterization in the field. Handheld device applications such as Arc Collector and Avenza PDF maps provide an easy, centralized place to record notes, collect spatial data, and geotag photos. In addition, the use of UAVs (drones) allows for reconnaissance of landslides in difficult or dangerous terrain. The WGS attempted a pilot project using drone-based exploration over a debris fan in Entiat, Washington. Where drones lack the ability to see below the surface, physical methods such as dendrochronology, C-14 dating, and soil pits allow for correlation of stratigraphy and age estimation. The WGS has had limited success using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to characterize landslides due to complications with clayey landslide deposits. Using these technologies in conjunction with lidar mapping gives a more complete picture of landslide morphology, age, and type.