A Data-Driven Approach for Identifying Areas Vulnerable to Quick Clay Landslides: Case Study in Norway

Quick clays pose a serious threat for catastrophic landslides in Norway. The current approach for identifying and assessing quick clay landslide risk in Norway is time-consuming and costly. In response, this study presents preliminary results of an ongoing research project by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) to develop an innovative, data-driven methodology for proactively identifying areas potentially vulnerable to naturally triggered brittle and quick clay landslides. The proposed methodology utilizes modern technologies and available datasets, including digital terrain models, population data, geotechnical and geological soundings, and terrain change detection. Key steps include identifying areas susceptible for thick marine clay deposits, estimating streams’ water depth and erosion potential, computing the maximum release area for potential retrogressive landslides, assessing consequences in terms of affected infrastructure and population, and identifying erosion related terrain changes that may deteriorate the slope stability. The methodology is applied to a case study in southeast Norway. The results demonstrate the potential for this approach to rapidly prioritize vulnerable areas for further assessment and landslide mitigation. The data-driven and proactive nature of the methodology offers significant efficiency gains and resource savings compared to traditional assessment methods. In this paper, the implications of the new methodology for natural hazard management in Norway are described, highlighting the importance of data quality, integration, and continuous field validation is emphasized. Ongoing efforts aim to refine the models, incorporate additional factors, and move towards a more comprehensive risk-based approach to landslide mitigation.