[1] This paper investigates the variation of the first resonance frequency of the Chamousset limestone column (21,000 m 3 , Vercors, French Alps) before its collapse in November 2007. The site was instrumented with seismometers and extensometers during a 4-month period with some gaps in the measurements. Experimental results and numerical modeling showed that the resonance frequency of a prone-to-fall column can be derived from the spectra of continuous seismic noise records. At the Chamousset site, the evolution of the resonance frequency appeared to be strongly controlled by the temperature. When temperatures were positive, slight resonance frequency variations correlated well with thermal fluctuations. Irreversible damage can occur during freezethaw cycles and to a lesser extent during strong wind. It coincided with a significant drop in resonance frequency, which was interpreted as the result of rock bridge breakage. This hypothesis is supported by fresh rupture observations after the collapse, seismic event records, and numerical modeling. This study suggests that seismic noise recording could be used for assessing the potential failure of unstable columns in rigid rocks.

Abstract. We monitored the displacement and seismic activity of an unstable vertical rock slice in a natural limestone cliff of the southeast Vercors massif, southeast France, during the months preceding its collapse. Displacement measurements showed an average acceleration of the movement of its top, with clear increases in the displacement velocity and in the discrete seismic event production rate during periods where temperature falls, with more activity when rainfall or frost occurs. Crises of discrete seismic events produce high amplitudes in periodograms, but do not change the high frequency base noise level rate. We infer that these crises express the critical crack growth induced by water weakening (from water vapor condensation or rain) of the rock strength rather than to a rapid change in applied stresses. Seismic noise analysis showed a steady increase in the high frequency base noise level and the emergence of spectral modes in the signal recorded by the sensor installed on the unstable rock slice during the weeks preceding the collapse. High frequency seismic noise base level seems to represent subcritical crack growth. It is a smooth and robust parameter whose variations are related to generalized changes in the rupture process. Drop of the seismic noise amplitude was concomitant with the emergence of spectral modes -that are compatible with high-order eigenmodes of the unstable rock sliceduring the later stages of its instability. Seismic noise analysis, especially high frequency base noise level analysis may complement that of inverse displacement velocity in earlywarning approaches when strong displacement fluctuations occur.

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