Mateja Jemec Auflič

A National Warning System for Rainfall-Induced Landslides in Slovenia

In Slovenia intense short and less intense long-duration rainfall is a primary cause of shallow landslides that some estimates put at 10,000, or approximately one landslide per two square kilometres. These events impose a huge burden on local and state budgets, occasionally even taking lives. At least part of the damage (and the loss of lives) could be prevented with a reliable near real-time landslide hazard forecast system that would continuously draw from three data/model pillars: the precipitation forecast model, the landslide susceptibility model and the rainfall triggering values for landslide occurrence. Each of the three pillars brings some uncertainty to the landslide hazard forecast. A project was set up to forecast the possible occurrence of rainfall-induced landslides in Slovenia (acronym “Masprem”), tackling all three pillars, but focusing primarily on the rainfall triggering values. With the goal of an automated near real-time landslide hazard forecast that will eventually be promptly available online to the general public, the challenges of precipitation forecast data conversion and transfer between two servers, continuous forecast model development and serving the intermediate forecast results on the web were dealt with. The project set up a challenging task, to model the landslide hazard through time for the whole of Slovenia at a coarser scale and to model the same hazard for selected municipalities at a more detailed scale. The results and lessons learned will be presented in this paper.

Landslides at a uranium mill tailing deposit site Boršt (Slovenia) detected by radar interferometry

This paper presents a comparison of persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI) monitoring results with in situ displacement measurements at the November 1990 landslide at the Boršt uranium mill tailing deposit site after heavy rain. Although the landslide did not directly endanger people, site remediation works were undertaken due to the subsequent environmental problems. Additionally, in situ monitoring with benchmarks was established in order to detect the ground motion of the landslide body. PSI campaigning in the Škofjeloško-Cerkljansko area, where the uranium mill tailing is situated, performed for the purpose of measuring displacements of natural targets near the active landslide area, also detected displacements, most probably indicating a creeping process. When comparing the pre- and post-remediation velocities at the benchmarks located on the landslide with persistent scatterers (PSs) located near the landslide, the rates could be regarded as background. The results show that the remediation works in the form of a drainage tunnel were very effective as post-remediation velocities at the landslide closer to the PSs resembled the velocities of the PSs, while the velocities of the landslide mass above the drainage tunnel slowed down, even to below the background velocities. The high correlation values between the movements of the benchmarks and the PSs also confirm that the remediation works were effective as the fluctuations in the displacement values of the landslide were very similar to those of the PSs. Nevertheless, although there are several limitations in comparing the two different datasets, the PSI technique can be complementary to conventional in situ methods.

Using Lidar DEM to Map Landslides: Škofjeloško Cerkljansko Hills, Slovenia

LiDAR has become an effective tool in landslide research, particularly in landslide mapping. While applicability of LiDAR and its derivative products has already been proven for identification of historical landslides worldwide, mapping shallow landslides triggered during stormy periods presents a greater challenge to landslide investigators. The main objective of the present study is landslide identification using Lidar DEM in the Skofjelosko Cerkljansko area, characterized by diverse morphology, dense vegetation cover and historical landslide records. Altogether 114 landslides were mapped using Lidar-derived hillshades, correlated with PSInSAR data, landslide database and a limited sample was later verified in the field. Field validation was limited due to steep, inaccessible terrain covered by forest. However, this study suggests that DEM analysis can remotely provide information about possible landslide activity and can help land managers in reducing landslide risk and avoiding potential disasters. But at the moment, little chance of automatizing the process is seen, as the landforms determined as indicative of landsliding, especially for the slope instabilities of smaller dimensions, are difficult to delineate without subjective expert opinion.

RECALL Project: Toward Resilent European Communities Against Local LandslidesOpen image in new window

In the RECALL project the Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS) was a technical partner, responsible for the detailed analysis of the state of the art of reinforcement measurement, state of maintenance, priorities of investments in 4 European pilot areas which present high levels of landslide risk and interest more than 5.000 inhabitants altogether. Based on the preliminary reports a detail field inspection have been carried out for each pilot area where focus was on landslide characteristics, landslide material, triggering factors, review of damage on objects and infrastructures, collaboration with local experts and civil protection representatives. On the basis of all collected data the GeoZS prepared comprehensive report about landslide situation and provide guidelines, recommendations, priority measures (interventions) and strategies for landslide mitigation. The proposed strategy will encourage local communities to a better understanding of landslides as well make a further step in mitigation strategies.

Integration of Geohazards into Urban and Land-Use Planning. Towards a Landslide Directive. The EuroGeoSurveys Questionnaire

Exposure to hazards is expected to increase in Europe, due to rapid population growth in urban areas and the escalation of urbanization throughout many countries. In the framework of the European Geological Surveys (EGS), the Earth Observation and Geohazards Expert Group (EOEG) has carried out a survey based enquiry regarding the integration of geohazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, ground subsidence, floods and others) into urban and land-use planning. Responses from 19 European countries and 5 regions reveal heterogeneous policies across national borders. 17% of the countries have not yet implemented any legal measures to integrate geohazards into urban and land-use plans and half of the participating countries have no official methodological guides to construct geohazard maps. Additionally, there is a scarce knowledge about real social impacts of geohazards and resulting disasters in many of the countries, although they have a significant impact on their national economies. This overview stresses the need for a common legislative framework and homogenization of the national legislations as well as mutual guidelines which adopt the principles applicable to the management of geohazards and explain the process to be followed in the production of hazard documentation. This is especially relevant in case of landslide and subsidence hazards; although those are of great importance in Europe, there are no common guidelines and practices similar to Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risk. Based on their expertise, EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) have the potential to coordinate this activity in European geohazard guidelines and to promote the interaction among stakeholders.

3rd Regional Symposium on Landslides in the Adriatic-Balkan Region – Ljubljana, Slovenia

The Adriatic-Balkan Network of International Consortium on Landslides (ICL ABN) was established in January 2012 as one of eight regional and thematic networks of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) to promote its activities as well as the activities of the International Programme on Landslides (IPL). The ICL ABN encompasses eight institutions (Table 1). The common interests behind the establishment of this regional network on landslides are outlined in Mihalić Arbanas et al. (2012a) as follows: (1) alignment of professional and scientific resources at the regional level by initiating and implementing joint bilateral or multilateral projects with participants from the region; (2) sharing of information and knowledge; (3) enhancing education and training through the exchange of scientists and professionals between regional institutions, establishing courses and schools on landslides for young researchers, and educating public and local administrations; and (4) development of regionally harmonized strategies for landslide hazard/risk prevention and mitigation. ICL ABN joint activities began in early 2012 with the preparation of a review on a wide range of subjects relevant for landslide research and mitigation in Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia (Mihalić Arbanas et al. 2012b, c). One of the main tasks of the ICL AdriaticBalkan Network is the organization of a biannual symposium for geoscientists, engineers, professionals, and decision-makers concerned with landslide hazards and risks and their impact on society, both in the Adriatic-Balkan region and worldwide. The 1st Regional Symposium on Landslides in the Adriatic-Balkan Region was held in March 2013 in Zagreb (Croatia) where more than 110 participants from 12 countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Japan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, Romania, Russia, and Vietnam) presented 77 scientific papers about landslides as well as other topics related to landslide science and practice. The 2nd Regional Symposium on Landslides in the Adriatic-Balkan Region followed in 2015 in Belgrade (Serbia). A wide range of landslide topics was presented in the Symposium sessions with more than 100 participants from 13 countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, The Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovenia and Switzerland). The cover pages of the 1st and 2nd ReSyLAB Abstract proceedings (Mihalić Arbanas and Arbanas 2014; Abolmasov et al. 2017) are presented in Fig. 1. The 3rd Regional Symposium on Landslides in the AdriaticBalkan Region (3rd ReSyLAB) will be held on 11–13 October 2017 in Ljubljana (Slovenia) organized by the Geological Survey of Slovenia and University of Ljubljana (Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering and Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering). The symposium aims to gather the ICL ABN members, as well as other respected experts, professionals, geoscientists, engineers, professionals, decision-makers, and researchers from the region and beyond (including both the academic and industrial spheres)

TXT-tool 2.386-2.1: SAR Interferometry as a Tool for Detection of Landslides in Early Phases

This teaching tool describes applications of Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI), which represents an effective method for monitoring landslides and soil creeping. In this paper, the usefulness, main advantages and disadvantages of the abovementioned radar method are shown on the basis of different case studies in Slovenia. Furthermore, displacement rates that were observed have been explained and compared with other available in situ data.

TXT-tool 2.386-2.1 A System to Forecast Rainfall-Induced Landslides in Slovenia

Nowadays, an increasingly important area of work in landslides prediction is the development of tools to generate warnings to potentially affected communities. For the last 20 years many countries and cities have been affected by heavy rainfall leading to landslides and Slovenia is no exception. Therefore, public awareness of extreme events has notably increased across the world in different sectors. In order to provide a solution to the problem a national landslide warning system, Masprem, has been developed based on three main raster datasets: landslide-triggering rainfall threshold values, precipitation forecasts, and landslide susceptibility maps. At the moment, a landslide warning system predicts landslide probability for the area of Slovenia in the scale 1:250,000 twice a day. A Masprem system also calculates landslide predictions on a local level, including maps of exposure of inhabitants, buildings and different types of infrastructures to potential landslide occurrence at a scale of 1:25,000 for five selected municipalities. In the present Teaching Tool a design of the system for modelling a probability of landslide through time in Slovenia is highlighted.

3rd Regional Symposium on Landslides in the Adriatic-Balkan Region (3rd ReSyLAB)—a final report

The 3rd Regional Symposium on Landslides in the Adriatic-Balkan Region (3rd ReSyLAB) was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from June 11 to 13, 2017, with 70 participants from nine countries (Austria, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain)—scientists, engineers, researchers, students, experts, politicians, and other decision-makers working in the area of landslide risk reduction in the region. The ReSyLAB is a biannual event organized by the Adriatic-Balkan Network of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL ABN). Being an important form of activities of this ICL regional network comprising of six ICL members from four countries, it was also a contribution of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) to the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. This article reports on the main outcomes of the 3rd ReSyLAB Symposium. Altogether, 41 abstracts were published in the symposium book of abstracts, and the symposium proceedings with over 20 reviewed full papers are under preparation to be printed early in 2018. During the 3rd ReSyLAB, a five invited keynote lectures have been presented, and 28 oral presentations are given to the audience. An important part of the symposium was a Round Table entitled “Enhancing cooperation between landslide research community and end users.” On the last day of the symposium, over 30 experts participated in two post-symposium study tours in Slovenia.

Introduction: Landslide Field Recognition and Identification: Remote Sensing Techniques and Field Techniques

The WLF4 2.1 Session Landslide field recognition and identification: remote sensing techniques, field techniques provides a general overview of the recent technologies of optical and radar images for landslide recognition, monitoring, mapping with special attention to combine field surveys and remote sensed data as an effective and promising methodology in landslide investigations. Twenty four contributions from twelve different countries have been submitted and, after a review process, were accepted for publishing. In this introduction to the WLF4 2.1 Session a short summary of each of the accepted papers is presented, divided regarding to their general topics.