Characterization of Susceptible Landslide Zones by an Accumulated Index

Abstract

In order to characterize the landslide susceptibility in the central zone of Guerrero State in Mexico, a spatial model has been designed and implemented, which automatically generates cartography. Conditioning factors as geomorphological, geological, and anthropic variables were considered, and as a detonating factor, the effect of the accumulated rain. The use of an inventory map of landslides that occurred in the past (IL) was also necessary, which was produced by an unsupervised detection method. Before the design of the model, an analysis of the contribution of each factor, related to the landslide inventory map, was performed by the Jackknife test. The designed model consists of a susceptibility index (SI) calculated pixel by pixel by the accumulation of the individual contribution of each factor, and the final index allows the susceptibility cartography to slide in the study area. The evaluation of the obtained map was performed by applying an analysis of the frequency ratio (FR) graphic, and an analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was developed. Studies like this can help different safeguarding institutions, locating the areas where there is a greater vulnerability according to the considered factors, and integrating disaster attention management or prevention plans.