Hydrogeological and geophysical properties of the very-slow-moving ripley landslide, Thompson river valley, British Columbia

David Huntley; Jessica Holmes; Peter Bobrowsky; Jonathan Chambers; Philip Meldrum; Paul Wilkinson; Shane Donohue; David Elwood; Kelvin Sattler; Michael Hendry; Renato Macciotta; Nicholas J. Roberts

doi:10.1139/cjes-2019-0187

Hydrogeological and geophysical properties of the very-slow-moving ripley landslide, Thompson river valley, British Columbia

David Huntley^*, Jessica Holmes, Peter Bobrowsky, Jonathan Chambers, Philip Meldrum, Paul Wilkinson, Shane Donohue, David Elwood, Kelvin Sattler, Michael Hendry, Renato Macciotta, Nicholas J. Roberts

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Natural and Built Environment

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Landslides along a 10 km reach of Thompson River south of Ashcroft, British Columbia, have repeatedly damaged vital railway infrastructure, while also placing public safety, the environment, natural resources, and cultural heritage features at risk. Government agencies, universities, and the railway industry are focusing research efforts on a representative test site — the very-slow-moving Ripley Landslide — to manage better the geohazard risk in this corridor. We characterize the landslide’s form and function through hydrogeological and geophysical mapping. Field mapping and exploratory drilling distinguish 10 hydrogeological units in surficial deposits and fractured bedrock. Electrical resistivity tomography, frequency domain electromagnetic conductivity measurements, ground-penetrating radar, seismic pressure wave refraction, and multispectral analysis of shear waves; in conjunction with downhole measurement of natural gamma radiation, induction conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility provide a detailed, static picture of soil moisture and groundwater conditions within the hydrogeological units. Differences in electrical resistivity of the units reflect a combination of hydrogeological characteristics and climatic factors, namely temperature and precipitation. Resistive earth materials include dry glaciofluvial outwash and non-fractured bedrock; whereas glaciolacustrine clay and silt, water-bearing fractured bedrock, and periodically saturated subglacial till and outwash are conductive. Dynamic, continuous real-time monitoring of electrical resistivity, now underway, will help characterize water-flow paths, and possible relationships to independently monitor pore pressures and slope creep. These new hydrogeological and geophysical data sets enhance understanding of the composition and internal structure of this landslide and provide important context to interpret multiyear slope stability monitoring ongoing in the valley.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1371-1391
Number of pages	21
Journal	Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
Volume	57
Issue number	12
Early online date	20 Aug 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2019-0187
Publication status	Published - Dec 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Research was undertaken as part of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) International Programme on Landslides (IPL) Project 202 (www.iplhq.org). Activities at this site have led to World Centre of Excellence on landslide disaster reduction recognition for both the Geological Survey of Canada and the University of Alberta. Research was funded by Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada. For their geophysical services, we thank Neil Parry, Megan Caston, Cassandra Budd, and Gordon Brasnett (EBA-TetraTech, Edmonton, Alberta; 2013–2014); Paul Bauman, Landon Woods, and Kimberly Hume (Advisian, Worley Parsons Group, Calgary, Alberta; 2014–2015); Cliff Candy, Larry Theriault, Caitlin Gugins, and Heather Ainsworth (Frontier Geosciences Inc., North Vancouver, BC; 2015–2017); and Mel Best (BEMEX Consulting International, Victoria, BC; 2013–2019). The PRIME installation (2017 to present) is a collaboration with Helen Reeves and colleagues (British Geological Survey, Nottingham, UK). Fieldwork would not be possible without the support of Trevor Evans (CN, Kamloops, BC), and Danny Wong and Jason Bojey (CP, Calgary, Alberta). The contribution of Jessica Holmes was funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE), Northern Ireland. Greg Brooks (Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario) critically reviewed the draft manuscript. The manuscript also greatly benefitted from the suggestions and comments of three anonymous reviewers, Ali Polat (Editor-in-Chief), and Olav Lian (Associate Editor). This is Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) contribution number 20200326.

Funding Information:
Research was undertaken as part of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) International Programme on Landslides (IPL) Project 202 (www.iplhq.org). Activities at this site have led to World Centre of Excellence on landslide disaster reduction recognition for both the Geological Survey of Canada and the University of Alberta. Research was funded by Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada. For their geophysical services, we thank Neil Parry, Megan Caston, Cassandra Budd, and Gordon Brasnett (EBA-TetraTech, Edmonton, Alberta; 2013?2014); Paul Bauman, Landon Woods, and Kimberly Hume (Advisian, Worley Parsons Group, Calgary, Alberta; 2014?2015); Cliff Candy, Larry Theriault, Caitlin Gugins, and Heather Ainsworth (Frontier Geosciences Inc., North Vancouver, BC; 2015?2017); and Mel Best (BEMEX Consulting International, Victoria, BC; 2013?2019). The PRIME installation (2017 to present) is a collaboration with Helen Reeves and colleagues (British Geological Survey, Nottingham, UK). Fieldwork would not be possible without the support of Trevor Evans (CN, Kamloops, BC), and Danny Wong and Jason Bojey (CP, Calgary, Alberta). The contribution of Jessica Holmes was funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE), Northern Ireland. Greg Brooks (Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, On-tario) critically reviewed the draft manuscript. The manuscript also greatly benefitted from the suggestions and comments of three anonymous reviewers, Ali Polat (Editor-in-Chief), and Olav Lian (Associate Editor). This is Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) contribution number 20200326.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, Canadian Science Publishing. All rights reserved.

Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

British Columbia
Geohazard monitoring
Geophysical surveys
Landslide
Surficial mapping

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)

Access to Document

10.1139/cjes-2019-0187Licence: Unspecified

The use of near-surface geophysics for monitoring slopes that affect transport infrastructure
Author: Holmes, J., Dec 2021
Supervisor: Sivakumar, V. (Supervisor), Donohue, S. (Supervisor) & Chambers, J. (External person) (Supervisor)
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy

Cite this

Huntley, D., Holmes, J., Bobrowsky, P., Chambers, J., Meldrum, P., Wilkinson, P., Donohue, S., Elwood, D., Sattler, K., Hendry, M., Macciotta, R., & Roberts, N. J. (2020). Hydrogeological and geophysical properties of the very-slow-moving ripley landslide, Thompson river valley, British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 57(12), 1371-1391. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2019-0187

Huntley, David ; Holmes, Jessica ; Bobrowsky, Peter ; Chambers, Jonathan ; Meldrum, Philip ; Wilkinson, Paul ; Donohue, Shane ; Elwood, David ; Sattler, Kelvin ; Hendry, Michael ; Macciotta, Renato ; Roberts, Nicholas J. / Hydrogeological and geophysical properties of the very-slow-moving ripley landslide, Thompson river valley, British Columbia. In: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 2020 ; Vol. 57, No. 12. pp. 1371-1391.

@article{f65531c02acc40ba80e3fc01bd2a25ab,

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abstract = "Landslides along a 10 km reach of Thompson River south of Ashcroft, British Columbia, have repeatedly damaged vital railway infrastructure, while also placing public safety, the environment, natural resources, and cultural heritage features at risk. Government agencies, universities, and the railway industry are focusing research efforts on a representative test site — the very-slow-moving Ripley Landslide — to manage better the geohazard risk in this corridor. We characterize the landslide{\textquoteright}s form and function through hydrogeological and geophysical mapping. Field mapping and exploratory drilling distinguish 10 hydrogeological units in surficial deposits and fractured bedrock. Electrical resistivity tomography, frequency domain electromagnetic conductivity measurements, ground-penetrating radar, seismic pressure wave refraction, and multispectral analysis of shear waves; in conjunction with downhole measurement of natural gamma radiation, induction conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility provide a detailed, static picture of soil moisture and groundwater conditions within the hydrogeological units. Differences in electrical resistivity of the units reflect a combination of hydrogeological characteristics and climatic factors, namely temperature and precipitation. Resistive earth materials include dry glaciofluvial outwash and non-fractured bedrock; whereas glaciolacustrine clay and silt, water-bearing fractured bedrock, and periodically saturated subglacial till and outwash are conductive. Dynamic, continuous real-time monitoring of electrical resistivity, now underway, will help characterize water-flow paths, and possible relationships to independently monitor pore pressures and slope creep. These new hydrogeological and geophysical data sets enhance understanding of the composition and internal structure of this landslide and provide important context to interpret multiyear slope stability monitoring ongoing in the valley.",

keywords = "British Columbia, Geohazard monitoring, Geophysical surveys, Landslide, Surficial mapping",

author = "David Huntley and Jessica Holmes and Peter Bobrowsky and Jonathan Chambers and Philip Meldrum and Paul Wilkinson and Shane Donohue and David Elwood and Kelvin Sattler and Michael Hendry and Renato Macciotta and Roberts, {Nicholas J.}",

note = "Funding Information: Research was undertaken as part of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) International Programme on Landslides (IPL) Project 202 (www.iplhq.org). Activities at this site have led to World Centre of Excellence on landslide disaster reduction recognition for both the Geological Survey of Canada and the University of Alberta. Research was funded by Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada. For their geophysical services, we thank Neil Parry, Megan Caston, Cassandra Budd, and Gordon Brasnett (EBA-TetraTech, Edmonton, Alberta; 2013–2014); Paul Bauman, Landon Woods, and Kimberly Hume (Advisian, Worley Parsons Group, Calgary, Alberta; 2014–2015); Cliff Candy, Larry Theriault, Caitlin Gugins, and Heather Ainsworth (Frontier Geosciences Inc., North Vancouver, BC; 2015–2017); and Mel Best (BEMEX Consulting International, Victoria, BC; 2013–2019). The PRIME installation (2017 to present) is a collaboration with Helen Reeves and colleagues (British Geological Survey, Nottingham, UK). Fieldwork would not be possible without the support of Trevor Evans (CN, Kamloops, BC), and Danny Wong and Jason Bojey (CP, Calgary, Alberta). The contribution of Jessica Holmes was funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE), Northern Ireland. Greg Brooks (Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario) critically reviewed the draft manuscript. The manuscript also greatly benefitted from the suggestions and comments of three anonymous reviewers, Ali Polat (Editor-in-Chief), and Olav Lian (Associate Editor). This is Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) contribution number 20200326. Funding Information: Research was undertaken as part of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) International Programme on Landslides (IPL) Project 202 (www.iplhq.org). Activities at this site have led to World Centre of Excellence on landslide disaster reduction recognition for both the Geological Survey of Canada and the University of Alberta. Research was funded by Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada. For their geophysical services, we thank Neil Parry, Megan Caston, Cassandra Budd, and Gordon Brasnett (EBA-TetraTech, Edmonton, Alberta; 2013?2014); Paul Bauman, Landon Woods, and Kimberly Hume (Advisian, Worley Parsons Group, Calgary, Alberta; 2014?2015); Cliff Candy, Larry Theriault, Caitlin Gugins, and Heather Ainsworth (Frontier Geosciences Inc., North Vancouver, BC; 2015?2017); and Mel Best (BEMEX Consulting International, Victoria, BC; 2013?2019). The PRIME installation (2017 to present) is a collaboration with Helen Reeves and colleagues (British Geological Survey, Nottingham, UK). Fieldwork would not be possible without the support of Trevor Evans (CN, Kamloops, BC), and Danny Wong and Jason Bojey (CP, Calgary, Alberta). The contribution of Jessica Holmes was funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE), Northern Ireland. Greg Brooks (Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, On-tario) critically reviewed the draft manuscript. The manuscript also greatly benefitted from the suggestions and comments of three anonymous reviewers, Ali Polat (Editor-in-Chief), and Olav Lian (Associate Editor). This is Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) contribution number 20200326. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020, Canadian Science Publishing. All rights reserved. Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

year = "2020",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1139/cjes-2019-0187",

language = "English",

volume = "57",

pages = "1371--1391",

journal = "Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences",

issn = "0008-4077",

publisher = "National Research Council of Canada",

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}

Huntley, D, Holmes, J, Bobrowsky, P, Chambers, J, Meldrum, P, Wilkinson, P, Donohue, S, Elwood, D, Sattler, K, Hendry, M, Macciotta, R & Roberts, NJ 2020, 'Hydrogeological and geophysical properties of the very-slow-moving ripley landslide, Thompson river valley, British Columbia', Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 57, no. 12, pp. 1371-1391. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2019-0187

Hydrogeological and geophysical properties of the very-slow-moving ripley landslide, Thompson river valley, British Columbia. / Huntley, David; Holmes, Jessica; Bobrowsky, Peter; Chambers, Jonathan; Meldrum, Philip; Wilkinson, Paul; Donohue, Shane; Elwood, David; Sattler, Kelvin; Hendry, Michael; Macciotta, Renato; Roberts, Nicholas J.

In: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 57, No. 12, 12.2020, p. 1371-1391.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Hydrogeological and geophysical properties of the very-slow-moving ripley landslide, Thompson river valley, British Columbia

AU - Huntley, David

AU - Holmes, Jessica

AU - Bobrowsky, Peter

AU - Chambers, Jonathan

AU - Meldrum, Philip

AU - Wilkinson, Paul

AU - Donohue, Shane

AU - Elwood, David

AU - Sattler, Kelvin

AU - Hendry, Michael

AU - Macciotta, Renato

AU - Roberts, Nicholas J.

N1 - Funding Information: Research was undertaken as part of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) International Programme on Landslides (IPL) Project 202 (www.iplhq.org). Activities at this site have led to World Centre of Excellence on landslide disaster reduction recognition for both the Geological Survey of Canada and the University of Alberta. Research was funded by Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada. For their geophysical services, we thank Neil Parry, Megan Caston, Cassandra Budd, and Gordon Brasnett (EBA-TetraTech, Edmonton, Alberta; 2013–2014); Paul Bauman, Landon Woods, and Kimberly Hume (Advisian, Worley Parsons Group, Calgary, Alberta; 2014–2015); Cliff Candy, Larry Theriault, Caitlin Gugins, and Heather Ainsworth (Frontier Geosciences Inc., North Vancouver, BC; 2015–2017); and Mel Best (BEMEX Consulting International, Victoria, BC; 2013–2019). The PRIME installation (2017 to present) is a collaboration with Helen Reeves and colleagues (British Geological Survey, Nottingham, UK). Fieldwork would not be possible without the support of Trevor Evans (CN, Kamloops, BC), and Danny Wong and Jason Bojey (CP, Calgary, Alberta). The contribution of Jessica Holmes was funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE), Northern Ireland. Greg Brooks (Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario) critically reviewed the draft manuscript. The manuscript also greatly benefitted from the suggestions and comments of three anonymous reviewers, Ali Polat (Editor-in-Chief), and Olav Lian (Associate Editor). This is Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) contribution number 20200326. Funding Information: Research was undertaken as part of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) International Programme on Landslides (IPL) Project 202 (www.iplhq.org). Activities at this site have led to World Centre of Excellence on landslide disaster reduction recognition for both the Geological Survey of Canada and the University of Alberta. Research was funded by Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada. For their geophysical services, we thank Neil Parry, Megan Caston, Cassandra Budd, and Gordon Brasnett (EBA-TetraTech, Edmonton, Alberta; 2013?2014); Paul Bauman, Landon Woods, and Kimberly Hume (Advisian, Worley Parsons Group, Calgary, Alberta; 2014?2015); Cliff Candy, Larry Theriault, Caitlin Gugins, and Heather Ainsworth (Frontier Geosciences Inc., North Vancouver, BC; 2015?2017); and Mel Best (BEMEX Consulting International, Victoria, BC; 2013?2019). The PRIME installation (2017 to present) is a collaboration with Helen Reeves and colleagues (British Geological Survey, Nottingham, UK). Fieldwork would not be possible without the support of Trevor Evans (CN, Kamloops, BC), and Danny Wong and Jason Bojey (CP, Calgary, Alberta). The contribution of Jessica Holmes was funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE), Northern Ireland. Greg Brooks (Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, On-tario) critically reviewed the draft manuscript. The manuscript also greatly benefitted from the suggestions and comments of three anonymous reviewers, Ali Polat (Editor-in-Chief), and Olav Lian (Associate Editor). This is Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) contribution number 20200326. Publisher Copyright: © 2020, Canadian Science Publishing. All rights reserved. Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

PY - 2020/12

Y1 - 2020/12

N2 - Landslides along a 10 km reach of Thompson River south of Ashcroft, British Columbia, have repeatedly damaged vital railway infrastructure, while also placing public safety, the environment, natural resources, and cultural heritage features at risk. Government agencies, universities, and the railway industry are focusing research efforts on a representative test site — the very-slow-moving Ripley Landslide — to manage better the geohazard risk in this corridor. We characterize the landslide’s form and function through hydrogeological and geophysical mapping. Field mapping and exploratory drilling distinguish 10 hydrogeological units in surficial deposits and fractured bedrock. Electrical resistivity tomography, frequency domain electromagnetic conductivity measurements, ground-penetrating radar, seismic pressure wave refraction, and multispectral analysis of shear waves; in conjunction with downhole measurement of natural gamma radiation, induction conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility provide a detailed, static picture of soil moisture and groundwater conditions within the hydrogeological units. Differences in electrical resistivity of the units reflect a combination of hydrogeological characteristics and climatic factors, namely temperature and precipitation. Resistive earth materials include dry glaciofluvial outwash and non-fractured bedrock; whereas glaciolacustrine clay and silt, water-bearing fractured bedrock, and periodically saturated subglacial till and outwash are conductive. Dynamic, continuous real-time monitoring of electrical resistivity, now underway, will help characterize water-flow paths, and possible relationships to independently monitor pore pressures and slope creep. These new hydrogeological and geophysical data sets enhance understanding of the composition and internal structure of this landslide and provide important context to interpret multiyear slope stability monitoring ongoing in the valley.

AB - Landslides along a 10 km reach of Thompson River south of Ashcroft, British Columbia, have repeatedly damaged vital railway infrastructure, while also placing public safety, the environment, natural resources, and cultural heritage features at risk. Government agencies, universities, and the railway industry are focusing research efforts on a representative test site — the very-slow-moving Ripley Landslide — to manage better the geohazard risk in this corridor. We characterize the landslide’s form and function through hydrogeological and geophysical mapping. Field mapping and exploratory drilling distinguish 10 hydrogeological units in surficial deposits and fractured bedrock. Electrical resistivity tomography, frequency domain electromagnetic conductivity measurements, ground-penetrating radar, seismic pressure wave refraction, and multispectral analysis of shear waves; in conjunction with downhole measurement of natural gamma radiation, induction conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility provide a detailed, static picture of soil moisture and groundwater conditions within the hydrogeological units. Differences in electrical resistivity of the units reflect a combination of hydrogeological characteristics and climatic factors, namely temperature and precipitation. Resistive earth materials include dry glaciofluvial outwash and non-fractured bedrock; whereas glaciolacustrine clay and silt, water-bearing fractured bedrock, and periodically saturated subglacial till and outwash are conductive. Dynamic, continuous real-time monitoring of electrical resistivity, now underway, will help characterize water-flow paths, and possible relationships to independently monitor pore pressures and slope creep. These new hydrogeological and geophysical data sets enhance understanding of the composition and internal structure of this landslide and provide important context to interpret multiyear slope stability monitoring ongoing in the valley.

KW - British Columbia

KW - Geohazard monitoring

KW - Geophysical surveys

KW - Landslide

KW - Surficial mapping

U2 - 10.1139/cjes-2019-0187

DO - 10.1139/cjes-2019-0187

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85096414656

VL - 57

SP - 1371

EP - 1391

JO - Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences

JF - Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences

SN - 0008-4077

IS - 12

ER -

Hydrogeological and geophysical properties of the very-slow-moving ripley landslide, Thompson river valley, British Columbia

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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Student theses

The use of near-surface geophysics for monitoring slopes that affect transport infrastructure

Cite this