GIS based landslide susceptibility mapping of northern areas of Pakistan, a case study of Shigar and Shyok Basins

Abstract

This study presents the use of geographical information system (GIS) datasets and methods to investigate landslide susceptibility in the rugged mountainous terrain of Shigar and Shyok Basins in northern areas of Pakistan. Study area is situated in Karakorum mountainous region where catastrophic landslides occur frequently and pose a serious threat to local living conditions. Landslide susceptibility index maps were prepared by combining four main indicators groups: (1) human induced parameters, which contain Landsat 8 imagery and distance from roads; (2) topographical parameters, which include slope, aspect and plan curvature; (3) hydrological parameters, which contain stream power index, topographic wetness index and distance from drainage and (4) geological parameters, which consist of lithology and distance from major thrusts and faults. These layers were prepared in GIS environment, and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) based heuristic approach was adopted to generate final landslide susceptibility map for this preliminary regional level landslide hazard study. Three different susceptibility zones have been identified in the region. AHP weights with 0.04 consistency ratio were used in the preparation of final map. The final landslide susceptibility map of the study area indicates that the low, moderate, and high landslide susceptibility classes are respectively covering 23.2% (4745 km 2), 45% (6737 km 2), 23.2% (3444 km 2) when distance from roads, distance from drainage and distance from major thrusts and faults parameters were not incorporated in the analysis. Including distance from roads, distance from drainage and distance from major thrusts and faults parameters layers to the final landslide susceptibility analysis shows that moderate susceptibility class is the predominant landslide susceptibility category covering 88% (13,412 km 2) of the study area characterized by steep slopes (30 À45), low positive plan curvature (0À1) and weak lithology.

A Comparative Study of Statistics-Based Landslide Susceptibility Models: A Case Study of the Region Affected by the Gorkha Earthquake in Nepal

“…Integration of different models for the identification of probable areas of landslide occurrence through LSM is a recognized approach for sustainable risk mitigation [18]. Access to accurate inventory data along with hazard conditioning factors using both data-driven and knowledge-based models have yielded successful results for LSM in different studies [19][20][21]. Several studies have used expert knowledge-based models for conducting LSM.…”

GIS Based Landslide Susceptibility Mapping with Application of Analytical Hierarchy Process in District Ghizer, Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan

“…<5˚, 5˚ -15˚, 15˚ -30˚, 30˚ -45˚ and >45˚. According to [6], highest landslide susceptible class is 30˚ -40˚ slope angle which consists of steep slopes. The aspect map (Figure 2 to certain elevations [10].…”

“…Even though Gilgit Baltistan is highly susceptible to landslides, merely a few studies have been carried out in the region [6]. Moreover no such studied has been conducted in district Ghizer.…”

Landslide susceptibility mapping by using a geographic information system (GIS) along the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (Karakoram Highway), Pakistan

“…Therefore, landslide density increases with increase in steepness (Pradhan et al, 2010). Kartiko et al (2006) found that more than half of the landslides occur in areas where the slope is greater than 25 %. Curvature expresses the shape of the slope.…”