Landslide Recognition using LiDAR derived Digital Elevation Models-Lessons learnt from selected Australian examples

Abstract

The increasing use of LiDAR or airborne laser scanning (ALS) data throughout the world has facilitated widespread access to high resolution current digital elevation models (DEM). Such high resolution DEM’s have proved to be particularly useful in the recognition of landslides and erosion. This is an increasingly important issue in Australia given the publication of the recent Australian Geomechanics Society’s guidelines for landslide risk management which emphasizes the need for improved regional and local landslide inventories. This paper presents recent examples of landslide recognition using such DEM’s from around Australia. Insight is provided into the overall landslide recognition process using remotely acquired data and how this has been enhanced using LiDAR based DEM’s and their derivative data sets. The advantages of using LiDAR-based DEM’s are identified as compared with conventional regional derived DEM’s using photogrammetric techniques. Analytical and visualization advantages associated with the use of GIS and derivative data sets are also discussed. The paper sets out to provide practical guidance using techniques and lessons learnt from many hours of work of detailed analysis by experienced landslide experts and comments on scope for future enhancements. In addition, limitations and downfalls are also described and recommendations made as to how this technique can best be applied to the landslide recognition process.