Displacement evolution of failure and non-failure sliding rock slopes

The study used optical satellite imagery to monitor surface movement on two large rock slopes; one failed, while the other experienced intense deformation without collapsing. The research identified rapid acceleration patterns over days to months. The Yusuihsi sliding slope, which failed, showed peak velocities of 0.22–0.60 m/d and accelerations of 0.006–0.034 m/d² before collapse, influenced by rainfall. The inverse velocity method accurately predicted the failure time window. In contrast, the Guanghua sliding slope did not fail and had peak velocities of 0.17 m/d and accelerations of 0.003 m/d² during its final deformation stage. The study highlights the importance of effective monitoring and early warning systems for landslide prevention, noting correlations between displacement acceleration and rainfall in collapse cases. It suggests velocity and acceleration thresholds (e.g., 0.2 m/d and 0.015 m/d²) to distinguish between failure and non-failure scenarios. The findings emphasize the need for site-specific geological assessments and tailored monitoring strategies based on historical data to account for unique stability and failure factors.