Slope stability and hazard zones in the cuesta scarps of northern Bavaria

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Birgit Terhorst
• Subject Area: Physical Geography
• Term: from 2010 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 189633549

In general, mass movements as natural hazards are recognised for the alpine areas and thus, for hazardous regions, susceptibility maps, plans of hazard zones, as well as process modelling are available. Low mountain areas as potential areas for landslides are underrepresented so far. In this context, the overall objective of the research proposal is the assessment of present and future hazard potential for slopes endangered by mass movements at the Franconian and Swabian Alb. With respect to an almost area-wide covering of cuesta scarp slopes by slide masses of different age and an increased exposure to rising precipitation rates, these regions are in the center of future research. In the early summer 2013, consequences of long-lasting precipitation, related to the occurrence of a Vb-weather situation, on slope stability was obvious. This situation was responsible for the triggering of numerous and massive slope movements, partly with strong damages and evacuation procedures in the study areas of the Franconian and Swabian Alb. The focus there is placed on the landslide of the 'Landhaussiedlung' at Mössingen-Öschingen as one of the most devastating events in low mountain areas. In the frame of research geomorphological mapping was conducted in form of overview maps and detailed case studies in the northern Bavarian cuesta scarp regions. The mapped landslides are documented in a recently developed database system. Existent datasets are meant to be complemented by current area-wide mappings and by the most recent landslide events of the year 2013. Furthermore, it is intended to continue the measurements of the existent hydrological monitoring systems, to install new equipments in endangered areas of the most recent slope movement, as well as to apply a geophysical monitoring system in hot spot areas. It is of major importance that - beside soil mechanical analyses - single geophysical measurements (2D-ERT and SRT) are involved for the studies on selected sites. The extended and more detailed database leads by the application of the statistical method 'weights-of-evidence' to area-wide assessment by landslide susceptibility maps, as well as to the evaluation of precipitation characteristics and threshold values.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants