The role of hydrology in hillslope monitoring and landslide risk mitigation
Abstract
Relevance. Landslides constitute a major geo-hydrological hazard, and rainfall-induced subsurface processes play a critical role in slope destabilization. The aim of the work is to determine the condition when studying various types of landslides. Despite substantial advances in landslide research, the integration of hillslope hydrology with monitoring frameworks and early warning systems remains fragmented. This review synthesizes recent developments in landslide research, with an emphasis on hydrological triggering mechanisms and their incorporation into landslide early warning systems (LEWS). Methods. A structured literature review of peer- reviewed studies published between 2012 and 2022 was conducted using the Scopus database, complemented by thematic classification of experimental, numerical, and field-based investigations. Results. The analysis identified rainfall infiltration, pore-water pressure evolution, matric suction reduction, and groundwater fluctuations as dominant hydrological controls governing slope response. While numerous studies have focused on shallow failures under unsaturated conditions, comparatively little attention has been paid to deep-seated processes and bedrock groundwater interactions. The review further examines sensor-based and model-driven LEWS architectures, highlighting the predominance of rainfall threshold approaches and the emerging role of hydro- mechanical and machine learning frameworks. The findings underscore the necessity of integrating subsurface hydrological monitoring with geotechnical characterization to enhance the predictive reliability and operational robustness of LEWS in landslide prone regions.
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