GIS based Landslides Susceptibility Mapping LSM ) in the West Bank, Palestine
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Date
2024
Authors
صبري برهم
ركن بواقنه
ناصر شرفا
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Abstract
Landslides are a significant geological hazard, threatening lives, properties, and environmental stability worldwide. This project focuses on the development of a Landslides Susceptibility Map (LSM) for the West Bank, Palestine, utilizing a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The West Bank's complex topography and geological diversity, characterized by its mountainous terrain and varied climatic conditions, increase its vulnerability to landslides. Recent events, such as the devastating landslide in Nablus, highlight the urgent need for effective land-use planning and risk mitigation.
This project employs a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach, integrating nine key criteria: soil, rainfall, land use, road distance, drainage distance, elevation, slope, aspect, and curvature. The AHP method is utilized to weigh these criteria, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable LSM. The project aims to inventory existing landslides, identify high-risk areas, and propose sustainable plans and mitigation strategies to protect the West Bank's population and infrastructure.
The study reveals that approximately 26% (1,464 km²) and 15% (828 km²) of the total area of the West Bank are highly and very highly susceptible to landslides, respectively. Meanwhile, areas with moderate susceptibility to landslides constitute about 26% (1,412 km²) of the total area of the West Bank. Finally, regions with low and very low susceptibility to landslides account for approximately 18% (1,023 km²) and 15% (822 km²) of the total area of the West Bank, respectively.
The resulting LSM provides a crucial tool for policymakers, planners, and stakeholders in Palestine, showing sustainable land use and enhancing public safety. It addresses the urgent need for a national spatial plan that considers landslide risks, aiding in the development of proactive measures to prevent future disasters. This project contributes significantly to the field of engineering geology and geomorphology, demonstrating the effectiveness of GIS and AHP in landslide susceptibility mapping and analysis.