Can we still talk about digital twins in engineering geology? An overview to the Passo della Morte (UD) landslide and mixed reality application.

Since the early 2000s, advancements in remote sensing technologies have enabled the acquisition of increasingly extensive and sophisticated datasets. These technological advances emphasize the critical need for effective and efficient methods of data communication and visualization. This study examines the uncertainties inherent in model’s reconstruction and demonstrates how mixed reality (MR) systems can be an important tool in address complex geological challenges by enabling the visualization of intricate datasets with important detail and user engagement. This research focuses on the challenges associated with creating true digital twins and the application of MR in visualizing multi-sensor remote sensing and monitoring data. The study uses the CNR ID 3 landslide in the Friuli Region (UD) as a test site, using decades of investigation and monitoring data. A conceptual workflow is presented, detailing the processes of data retrieval, interpretation, and landslide morphology reconstruction, culminating in final visualization through MR headsets. These innovative tools have the potential to significantly improve the capacity of local authorities and stakeholders to comprehend complex spatial interactions. By fostering collaboration with scientists, they facilitate more informed and effective decision-making processes, considering the unknowns properly.