Application of Fracture Induced Electromagnetic Radiation (FEMR) technique to detect landslide-prone slip planes

Landslides are one of the many catastrophic events which result in massive destruction and loss of lives across the globe. Hence, an appropriate forecasting technique is essential in order to predict such potential weak slip planes which may eventually lead to landslides. Here, we present a study where Fracture Induced Electromagnetic Radiation (FEMR) technique has been used to identify such regions of potential “activity” in a study area around IISER Bhopal Hill, India, stretched along a length of approximately 1 km. The hill is majorly composed of basaltic rocks belonging to the Deccan traps which have been heavily weathered and have resulted in the formation of unconsolidated soil cover. In numerous locations, it has been observed that natural gullies have formed as a result of the breakage of masses from weak slip planes. In this study, we have taken linear measurements along four different profiles along and across the hill using a portable measuring device ANGEL-M. Anomalously high amplitudes of FEMR values are obtained in the regions which consist of weak slip planes which can be considered to be potential zones of future landslides. The results were further verified by calculating the factor of safety for a few locations along the profiles where anomalies in the FEMR data were compared. Consequently, predicting areas prone to natural calamities such as landslides has always been a priority in terms of current research. Hence, we have made an active endeavor to propose a new technique in order to identify landslide-prone areas by detecting the adjoining weak slip planes.