Because of the strong dependence on the values for the input parameters and the cluster shape, as well as the difficulties in quantifying the precipitation in constructing landslide susceptibility maps by employing existing clustering algorithms, we propose a novel method based on an Ordering Points to Identify the Clustering Structure (OPTICS) algorithm using the Hausdorff distance (OA-HD). The OA-HD algorithm distributes mapping units into many subclasses with similar characteristic values for topography and geology. To obtain more optimal subclasses, the HD was adopted to quantify precipitation. The Kmedoids algorithm grouped these subclasses into five susceptibility levels according to the values of landslide density in each subclass. Applying the innovative integrated algorithms to the study area significantly improves the landslide susceptibility assessment, especially in a large study area. The method suggests new insights for better assessing landslide susceptibility in a large study area.
This study aims at proposing and designing an improved clustering algorithm for assessing landslide susceptibility using an integration of a Chameleon algorithm and an adaptive quadratic distance (CA-AQD algorithm). It targets improving the prediction capacity of clustering algorithms in landslide susceptibility modelling by overcoming the limitations found in present clustering models, including strong dependence on the initial partition, noise, and outliers as well as difficulties in quantifying the triggering factors (such as rainfall/precipitation). The model was implemented in Baota District, Shaanxi province, China. The CA-AQD algorithm was adopted to split all grids in the study area into many groups with more similar characteristic values, which also owed to efficiently quantifying the uncertain (rainfall) value by using AQD. The K-means algorithm divides these groups into five susceptibility classes according to the values of landslide density in each group. The model was then evaluated using statistical metrics and the performance was validated and compared to that of the traditional Chameleon algorithm and KPSO algorithm. The results show that the CA-AQD algorithm attained the best performance in assessing landslide susceptibility in the study area. Thus, this work adds to the literature by introducing the first empirical integration and application of the CA-AQD algorithm to the assessment of landslides in the study area, which then is a new insight to the field. Also, the method can be helpful for dealing with landslides for better social and economic development.
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