Satellites used to help predict susceptibility of landslides across Scotland
New research published today shows how satellite radar imagery can be used to identify areas that may be prone to landslides.
Commissioned by Peatland ACTION, the study by the University of Nottingham and University of the Highlands and Island found that there’s a greater chance of movement in areas of natural drainage in the peat.
It also established that a high range of ‘bog breathing’ – or up and down motion in the peat – doesn’t indicate that a landslide will definitely occur. However, it does indicate areas that may be more susceptible to landslide.
Whilst peat instability is a relatively rare phenomenon in Scotland, it’s still an important consideration in the planning of any potential peatland restoration project.
All Peatland ACTION restoration project areas are currently assessed for peat landslide risk during the design phase using a manual assessment combining field surveys and desk-based standard geotechnical techniques.
The research team used interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) - a monitoring technique which uses satellite Earth observation data to precisely track ground movement - to improve the assessment of peat landslide susceptibility at 20 peatland sites across Scotland.
The technique helps by allowing the production of maps at a national scale to feed into restoration projects, providing surface motion data and allowing sites to be reviewed after restoration to see how it has affected their susceptibility to landslides.
Professor Roxane Andersen from the UHI Environmental Research Institute, based at UHI North, West and Hebrides in Thurso, is co-author of the report. She said: “Our method has a huge potential to increase cost-effectiveness, rapidly identifying areas where further and more in-depth investigation may be needed. Beyond peatland restoration, we believe the approach has significant potential for any development on peat, including onshore wind.”
Following the study, Peatland ACTION will be looking in more detail at any areas identified as having ‘very high’ motion.
This study will also help to establish whether Earth observation data should be incorporated into peat landslide risk assessment procedures.