Radar-Geology Study on Landslides in Hong Kong

Geological disaster study has great significance in the world nowadays, especially in developed area, such as in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a hilly region, and has a typical characteristics of structure controlled topography. Earthquake and landslide are the most important study projects. When land surface, which composed of the rock body or the soft sediments, loosed balance, landslides will happen in the area.

Air radar image of New Territory with regional faults and subordinate shear plans. Scale bar is 2000 M; Image made by Chinese Acadamy of Sciences Date of flight: Sep.18, 1998; SAR Band: L; Polarization: H - H; Height of Flight: 8400M

The control factors of landslide are the Neotectonic activity, the physical condition of basement rock , the underground water action and the micro-topography. In order to understand the mechanism of landslide, radar-geology study will get information both from radar image processing nd field investigation. By computer processing, we can get second and third order structure lamella from image as well as their relationship. By field investigation, we can get macro-structures, Neotectonic acting faults, such as open crack and extension faults as well as the physical condition of the rocks, and the information of the underground water action by further study.

Put all these data together, and supported by GIS, we can make the radar-geology model of the landslides. The model can be used in precaution and forecasting landslides, and reporting the possible position of landslides. The model can also be prepared for seismic risk, land use and city construction.