The Role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) In Monitoring Rapidly Occuring Landslides

Abstract. This study used the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which was designed and produced to monitor rapidly occurring landslides in forest areas. It was aimed to determine the location data for the study area using image sensors integrated into the UAV. The study area was determined as the landslide sites located in the Taşlıçiftlik Campus of Gaziosmanpaşa University, Turkey. It was determined that landslide activities were on going in the determined study area and data was collected regarding the displacement of materials. Additionally, it was observed that data about landslides may be collected in a fast and sensitive way using UAVs, and this method is proposed as a new approach. Flights took place over a total of five different periods. In order to determine the direction and coordinate variables for the developed model, eight Ground Control Points (GCPs), whose coordinates were obtained with the GNSS method, were placed on the study area. In each period, approximately 190 photographs were investigated. The photos obtained were analysed using the PIX4D software. At the end of each period, the RMS and Ground Sample Distance (GSD) values of the GCPs were calculated. Orthomosaic and Digital Surface Models (DSM) were produced for the location and height model. The results showed that max RMS = ±3.3 cm and max GSD = 3.57 cm/1.40 in. When the first and fifth periods are compared; the highest spatial displacement value ΔS = 111.0 cm, the highest subsidence value Δh = 37.3 cm and the highest swelling value Δh = 28.6 cm as measured.