Turtle Mountain in Alberta, Canada has become an important field laboratory
for testing different techniques related to the characterization
and monitoring of large slope mass movements as the stability of
large portions of the eastern face of the mountain is still questionable.
In order to better quantify the volumes potentially unstable and
the most probable failure mechanisms and potential consequences,
structural analysis and runout modeling were preformed. The structural
features of the eastern face were investigated using a high resolution
digital elevation model (HRDEM). According to displacement datasets
and structural observations, potential failure mechanisms affecting
different portions of the mountain have been assessed. The volumes
of the different potentially unstable blocks have been calculated
using the Sloping Local Base Level (SLBL) method. Based on the volume
estimation, two and three dimensional dynamic runout analyses have
been performed. Calibration of this analysis is based on the experience
from the adjacent Frank Slide and other similar rock avalanches.
The results will be used to improve the contingency plans within
the hazard area.