Dynamics of the Bingham Canyon Mine landslides from seismic signal analysis
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Journal Volume
41
Journal Issue
13
Date Issued
2014-07-16
Author(s)
Abstract
Joint interpretation of long- and short-period seismic signals generated by landslides sheds light on the dynamics of slope failure, providing constraints on landslide initiation and termination and on the main phases of acceleration and deceleration. We carry out a combined analysis of the seismic signals generated by two massive landslides that struck the Bingham Canyon Mine pit on 10 April 2013. Inversion of the long-period waveforms yields time series for the bulk landslide forces and momenta, from which we deduce runout trajectories consistent with the deposit morphology. Comparing these time series with the short-period seismic data, we are able to infer when and where major changes take place in landslide momentum along the runout path. This combined analysis points to a progressive fracturing of the masses during acceleration indicates that deceleration starts the moment they reach the pit floor and suggests that the bulk movement is stopped by a topographic barrier. Key Points Landslides trajectory, forces, and mass estimated from inversion of seismic waves Correspondence between bulk dynamics and short-period seismic signal features Inference of the mechanisms involved in landslide dynamics from seismic signals ©2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Subjects
Bingham Mine | landslide dynamics | landslide seismology | source inversion
Type
journal article