ABSTRACT
Detailed slope monitoring and observation has demonstrated that prior to failure a clear pattern of accelerated deformation and resulting disruption occurs. This is considered to be the propagation of subsurface shear and deformation up through the failing mass to the slope surface. This chapter examines the use of terrestrial laser scan data for monitoring large rock cliffs in order to assess the dynamics of the slope condition prior to failure. The assessment presented uses a combination of this terrestrial data and air-borne mapping and imagery to explore the degree to which small-scale precursors to slope failure can be identified, and ultimately used to predict failure. An approach to overcome the complexities of monitoring the surface deformation field of the failing slope is to assess secondary derivatives of failure. This may include micro-seismic or acoustic monitoring of fracturing, changes in slope groundwater, or surface precursors, such as rock falls, tension crack opening or structure deformations.
