Effectiveness of Geoelectrical Resistivity Surveys for the Detection of a Debris Flow Causative Water Conducting Zone at KM 9, Gap-Fraser’s Hill Road (FT 148)‎, Fraser’s Hill, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract EN

This study reports the findings of resistivity surveys which were conducted at the initiation area of debris flow at KM 9, Fraser’s Hill Gap road (FT148).

The study involves three slope parallel survey lines and two lines perpendicular to the slope face.

The parallel lines are FH01, FH02, and FH03, while the lines FH04 and FH05 are perpendicular.

A granite body was detected at the central part of the east line and is nearest to the ground surface along FH02.

The existence of low resistivity zones within the granite body is interpreted as highly fractured, water conducting zones.

These zones are continuous as they have been detected in both the east-west as well as the north-south lines.

The residual soil layer is relatively thin at zones where weathered granite dominates the slope face of the failure mass.

The weak layer is relatively thick with an estimated thickness of 80 m and water flow occurs at the base of it.

The high water flow recorded from the horizontal drains further supports the possible existence of these highly fractured, water conducting zones located within the granite.

The shallow fractured granite is virtually “floating” above the water saturated zone and therefore is considered unstable.