Landslide susceptibility zonation using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in the Bafoussam-Dschang region (West Cameroon)

Abstract

The main goal of this study is to produce a landslide susceptibility map of the Bafoussam-Dschang region (BDR) which is often subjected to landsliding by using Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP). To achieve this objective, landslide triggering factors such as the lithology, slope, soil, land use, flow density, curvature, elevation and aspect have been combined with field observations. These Parameters were plotted on thematic layers using Geographical Information System (GIS) according to the AHP principles. Factors of weights were attributed based on the frequency of mass movements. The impact of one to another was assessed, allowing weights to be assigned to the different parameters. Subsequently, field observations revealed 100 mass movements including 97 landslides, 01 mudflow, 01 rock fall and 01 collapse within - the BDR. The field data including remote sensing techniques have subdivided the landslides susceptibility map into “Low (3%)”, “Moderate (10%)”, “High (21%)”, and “Very High (66%)” susceptibility zones respectively. The majority of these mass movements fall into the high to very high susceptibility zones equivalent to ∼ 87% of landslides. These results permit to identify the landslide susceptibility zones linked to the steep landscaping West Cameroon Highland (Cameroon Volcanic Line).