Instruments that measure extremely small ground motions are vital for monitoring earthquakes, volcanoes, and slow Earth deformation. This study presents a virtual modelling approach that predicts sensor performance before construction. By accounting for physical limits, electronic effects, and uncertainty, the method clarifies what truly limits sensitivity and how designs can be improved, supporting the development of more accurate and robust tools for Earth science.

This study investigated the upper part of a major landslide in the Ecuadorian Andes by combining underground electrical imaging with field geology and sediment observations. The results reveal clear contrasts beneath the slope that are consistent with zones of potential instability, although they cannot confirm a failure surface directly. The work shows that combining geophysical and geological evidence can improve landslide assessment while making uncertainty and data limitations explicit.