The value of geological data, information and knowledge in producing landslide susceptibility maps.

Abstract

The paper attempts to illustrate the value of Geological data, information and knowledge in studies that investigate landslide phenomena and how this is reflected in the production of landslide susceptibility maps. In particular, the concepts of data, information, knowledge and wisdom are defined and also the process of converting data into information and information into knowledge. The presented study continuous with a summary that introduces landslide phenomena and the available techniques and methods for identifying and classifying these natural phenomena. It describes the significance of landslide analysis and how this process is essential in order to orient intelligence decisions regarding strategies for regional and urban development. The susceptibility maps that are considered as the outcomes of the over mentioned process, reflects the Geological Knowledge that has been produced by involving expert knowledge and processing data.

Are Groundwater Monitoring Networks Economical? Cost-Benefit Analysis on the Long-Term Groundwater Supply Project of South Korea

“…Tsangaratos and Koumantakis (2013) [19] Illustrates the value of geological data and information used to produce landslide susceptibility maps in Greece.…”

“…As a formal approach, cost-benefit analysis is a simple method comparing the estimated costs and benefits of two or more alternatives. Both the BGS and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), in employing a cost-benefit analysis in their models, defined that the net benefits of each option can be represented as the "expected loss avoided" that arises from using the geological information, minus the costs of producing and disseminating the information [13,14,16,19]. The benefit assessment can be analyzed by comparing the economic impacts of decisions based on the already existing information.…”

“…In the case of geological information, the potential value may come from: (a) direct savings in terms of avoided costs from contaminations or erosion; (b) reduced potential for liability; (c) lower costs for groundwater protection; (d) safer infrastructure; and (e) improved mineral exploration efficiency [19].…”