Modelling and mapping of landslide hazard using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Abstract

This research examines the use of GIS and remote sensing techniques to model landslide hazard and its risk assessment in and around Wau–Bulolo. In achieving this, risk evaluation is carried out with the use of eleven geotechnical engineering parameters which include altitude, slope, aspect, rainfall, lithology, soil erodibility function, landform, distance from river, distance from road, earthquake magnitude, and land use/ land cover to generate and calculate landslide susceptibility zones and risk zones. Landslide vulnerability of Wau–Bulolo district in Morobe province was assessed using the weighted linear combination (WLC) method. The study area shows the distribution of the five vulnerability/susceptibility classes ranking from very low (1) to very high (5). Areas with very high landslide vulnerability zones are found in the northern and north-eastern of the study area compare to southern parts have very low vulnerability areas. From the calculations 12.49% of area is at very low risk, 30.33% at low risk, 32.84% of moderate risk, 11.58% of high risk and 14.76% of very high risk area coverage.