GIS Based Landslide Susceptibility Mapping using a Fuzzy Logic Approach: A Case Study from Ghurmi-Dhad Khola Area, Eastern Nepal

Authors

  • Prabin Kayastha
     Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels
  • Subeg Man Bijukchhen
     Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu
  • Megh Raj Dhital
     Mountain Risk Engineering Unit, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu
  • Florimond De Smedt
     Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels

Keywords:

Landslide, GIS, Susceptibility, Fuzzy Operator, Nepal.

Abstract

Landslides cause extensive loss of life and property in the Nepal Himalaya. Since the late 1980s, different mathematical models have been developed and applied for landslide susceptibility mapping and hazard assessment in Nepal. The main goal of this paper is to apply fuzzy logic to landslide susceptibility mapping in the Ghurmi-Dhad Khola area, Eastern Nepal. Seven causative factors are considered: slope angle, slope aspect, distance from drainage, land use, geology, distance from faults and folds, soil and rock type. Likelihood ratios are obtained for each class of causative factors by comparison with past landslide occurrences. The ratios are normalized between zero and one to obtain fuzzy membership values. Further, different fuzzy operators are applied to generate landslide susceptibility maps. Comparison with the landslide inventory map reveals that the fuzzy gamma operator with a γ-value of 0.60 yields the best prediction accuracy. Consequently, this operator is used to produce the final landslide susceptibility zonation map.

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Issue

Volume 82, Issue 3, September 2013

Section

Research Articles

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Published

2013-09-01

How to Cite

Kayastha, P., Bijukchhen, S. M., Dhital, M. R., & De Smedt, F. (2013). GIS Based Landslide Susceptibility Mapping using a Fuzzy Logic Approach: A Case Study from Ghurmi-Dhad Khola Area, Eastern Nepal. Journal of Geological Society of India, 82(3), 249–261. Retrieved from https://www.geosocindia.com/index.php/jgsi/article/view/57579

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