Satellites to help predict landslide susceptibility across Scotland 

The University of Nottingham and Peatland Action are leading the research.

The research uses satellite Earth observation data and was first tested over three large peat landslides in Ireland.

It found that there’s a greater chance of movement in areas of natural drainage in the peat. 

The study has also established that a high range of ‘bog breathing’ (up and down motion in the peat) merely indicates susceptibility not certainty of occurrences.

Peat landslides (slides, flows and bog bursts) are a significant natural hazard associated with areas of blanket peat. Steeper slopes, complex topography and generally higher rates of landscape erosion are more likely to lead to peat instability. 

Following the study, Peatland Action will be looking in more detail at any areas identified as having ‘very high’ motion.  

This study will also help to establish whether Earth observation data should be incorporated into peat landslide risk-assessment procedures. 

The research team has used interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR). This is a monitoring technique that uses radar imagery to measure ground movement to improve the assessment of peat landslide susceptibility at 20 peatland sites across Scotland. 

The technique helps to produce maps at a national scale to feed into restoration projects, providing surface-motion data and allowing sites to be reviewed after restoration to predict susceptibility to landslides. 

Evaluating peat landslide susceptibility is made difficult according to The University of Nottingham for several reasons, including a lack of information on local variations in the thickness of peat, poorly characterised geotechnical properties, and the unknown and complex internal structure and hydrology of the peat.  

Current geotechnical approaches to landslide susceptibility assessment are complex, intensive and can be expensive to deploy at a large scale. 

Although peat landslides are rare in Scotland, it’s important to consider the risks when planning any peatland restoration project. 

The study looked at peatland sites across Scotland from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway. 

Professor David J Large from the University of Nottingham, says, ‘Our method is ideal for rapidly screening large areas to identify where best to undertake more expensive geotechnical investigations. Potential application included not only peatland restoration but also wind energy developments on peat.’