Review on the applications of electromagnetic method in landslide geohazard investigation

Abstract

Frequent large-scale geological disasters, triggered by both natural geological processes and intensive human activities, have resulted in significant casualties and property losses worldwide. Geophysical electromagnetic (EM) methods have emerged as important tools for investigating such hazards. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the application and development of ground-based, airborne, and semi-airborne (ground-to-air) EM methods in various geological disaster scenarios. We first introduce the characteristics and challenges of landslide detection, followed by a discussion of EM techniques specifically applied to landslide investigations, including forward modeling, data processing, imaging, and inversion. Typical application cases and commonly used instruments are also summarized. Finally, we highlight future directions for EM method development, with an emphasis on deep detection, high-resolution imaging, and full-space exploration. We anticipate that continued advancements in EM technology will significantly enhance early warning capabilities for geohazards, and hope this review provides useful insights and guidance for the rapid and widespread adoption of these methods.