Landslide susceptibility assessment using GIS and RS in the Havran river basin (Balikesir-TURKEY)

Abstract

In this study we assess landslide susceptibility of Havran river basin using Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS) data and the statistical index method. Landslide locations were interpreted from topographic maps and verified with field observations. The collected data was combined in a spatial database using GIS and RS. Lineament, NDVI and Land use/cover data of the basin were extracted from Landsat ETM+ and Spot XS satellite images. Other contributing factors of elevation, slope, aspect, curvature, lithology, distance to roads, rainfall and soil data of the basin were also included. A GIS-based assessment process was constructed using these eleven factors and a statistical index method was used to produce a map of susceptibility. The results of the analysis were verified using the original landslide location data. The comparison between the predicted result and the actual distribution of landslides showed a high consistency.