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CONCLUSION
All landslide investigations must start with either the recognition of
a distressed condition on the natural or artificial slope or the
determination of the vulnerable locations where one is most likely to
occur. The evidence for distressed conditions that may be present or
induced lies chiefly in evidence of movements, minor or major, that
have already taken place or of geologic, soil, and hydrologic condi-
tions that are likely to cause movement in the future. Once the fact
of land movement, actual or potential, has been established, the next
essential step is to identify the type of landslide. One would not
apply the same corrective procedure to a rock fall and a block slide
any more than one would attempt to prevent a slide without knowing the
kind of slide expected. If maximum benefit is to be accrued from the
preventive or corrective measures finally employed, it is imperative
to learn to recognize the kind of slide that exists or is expected.
Remote sensing is an effective technique for recognizing and delin-
eating landslides. No other technique can provide a three-dimensional
overview of the terrain from which the interrelations of topography,
drainage, surface cover, geologic materials, and human activities on
the landscape can be viewed and evaluated. Aerial photographs at
suitable scales are available for almost all of the United States and
a large part of the world. New photography of various types and scales
can readily be obtained. In addition, new sensors such as infrared,
radar and satellite multispectral systems provide new information as
well as complimentary data which aid in analyzing the terrain for
landslide presence or susceptibility.
The general procedure for performing landslide investigations using
remote sensing techniques is described in the paper. The recommended
approach for performing the investigations include (1) starting with
the analysis of the regional geology and terrain, usually on small-
scale photography or imagery; (2) followed by a more detailed analysis
of the terrain on medium-scale photography or imagery in order to
identify the geologic units and landforms where landslides are present
or are most likely to occur; and (3) concluded by a detailed study of
vulnerable locations on large-scale photography and imagery to search
for signs of potential instability. This approach requires the analysis
of at least two different scales of photography and/or imagery.
Additional remote sensing coverage may be required to evaluate the
slide historically (i.e., before and after), or to note the progress
of additional movement with time.