Application of geophysical methods for the investigation of the large gravitational mass movement of Séchilienne, France

Abstract : Several geophysical techniques (electromagnetic profiling, electrical tomography, seismic refraction tomography, and spontaneous potential and seismic noise measurement) were applied in the investigation of the large gravitational mass movement of Séchilienne. France. The aim of this study was to test the ability of these methods to characterize and delineate the rock mass affected by this complex movement in mica schists, whose lateral and vertical limits are still uncertain. A major observation of this study is that all the zones strongly deformed (previously and at present) by the movement are characterized by high electrical resistivity values (>3 kΩ·m), in contrast to the undisturbed mass, which exhibits resistivity values between a few hundred and 1 kΩ·m. As shown by the surface observations and the seismic results, this resistivity increase is due to a high degree of fracturing associated with the creation of air-filled voids inside the mass. Other geophysical techniques were tested along a horizontal transect through the movement, and an outstanding coherency appeared between the geophysical anomalies and the displacement rate curve. These preliminary results illustrate the benefits of combined geophysical techniques for characterizing the rock mass involved in the movement. Results also suggest that monitoring the evolution of the rock mass movement with time-lapse geophysical surveys could be beneficial.