Assessment of Seismodynamic Soil Vulnerability and Liquefaction Potential in a Landslide Area

Abstract

This study presents an assessment of the seismodynamic vulnerability of soils and the potential for earthquake-induced liquefaction within the Upper-Turk landslide area based on microseismic investigations. Field measurements were conducted using ambient vibration (microtremor) recordings both within the landslide mass and in adjacent relatively stable zones. The analysis enabled the determination of key dynamic parameters, including the fundamental resonance frequency (f₀), the H/V spectral ratio amplitude (A₀), and the seismic vulnerability index (K_g), followed by a comparative evaluation of their spatial distribution. The results reveal a pronounced heterogeneity of dynamic soil properties within the landslide body, which is primarily associated with the presence of loosened, highly deformable materials and increased sensitivity to dynamic loading. Furthermore, the obtained microseismic results were compared with geodetic and satellite-based monitoring data, showing a strong consistency between independent observation methods. Such geotechnical conditions indicate a significant reduction in soil structural stability under seismic loading and an increased susceptibility to liquefaction processes. Based on the obtained results, dynamically weak and potentially hazardous zones were identified within the landslide mass, and a preliminary seismodynamic zoning of the study area was performed. The findings demonstrate that microseismic methods, particularly the HVSR technique, represent an effective tool for evaluating the dynamic behavior of soils, identifying zones of increased seismic hazard in landslide-prone areas, and assessing the likelihood of earthquake-induced liquefaction.