Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2003/00194

High resolution monitoring of creep in the Mam Tor landslip, Derbyshire, England.

Principal Investigator:: Professor E Rutter, The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
Grant held at:: The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences

ENRIs:: Global Change; Environmental Risks and Hazards
Science Topics:: Survey & Monitoring; Geohazards; Earth Engineering; Climate & Climate Change

Abstract:: Many landslips creep slowly or episodically in response to rainfall fluctuations, and can be particularly sensitive to winter storms. At a time when UK landslide activity may increase if global warming causes an increase in winter storm activity, it is particularly important to understand this linkage. Slippage is believed to occur episodically by 'creep-events', that propagate through the base of the slip and accumulate each time a few mm of movement. During the past 7 years we have annually monitored creep movements on the Mam Tor landslip in Derbyshire. This is presently accumulating displacements at up to 50 cm/yr, a rate several times the average since it formed 3000 years ago, and this is believed due to winter climatic worsening of the past 500 years relative to earlier times. Annual monitoring does not give the resolution required to establish short term correlation with rainfall and whether or not creep is episodic. Therefore we propose to establish a high resolution, automatic monitoring station on the Mam Tor landslip to measure creep to submillimetric resolution, and to correlate it with rainfall and groundwater level on a daily basis. This will give unprecedented insight into the way that landslip creep operates, and facilitate prediction of future behaviour.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £30,327

Total - Staff	Total - T&S	Total - Other Costs	Total - Equipment	Total - Indirect Costs
£4,538	£592	£18,398	£4,712	£2,087

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