Identification of potential landslide zones using DInSAR data and landslide susceptibility: a case study of Damavand basin

Davari Sarem, Milad; Hassanpour, Jafar; Roshan Liarajdameh, Maedeh

doi:10.22111/jneh.2025.49171.2058

Identification of potential landslide zones using DInSAR data and landslide susceptibility: a case study of Damavand basin

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

¹ Researcher, Research and Technology Department, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Associate Professor, School of Geology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

³ Ph.D. Student, School of Geology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22111/jneh.2025.49171.2058

Abstract

Iran has vast mountainous regions and due to its geological, climatic, and seismic characteristics, is prone to numerous landslides. Given the diversity of topography and climatic conditions, this hazard occurs in many mountainous areas across the country. This research aims to identify zones with landslide potential and to mitigate the risks and damages caused by this hazard in the Damavand basin. The Damavand basin, with an area of 757.8 square kilometres, is located in the northeastern end of the Salt Lake basin. The methodology employed includes a combination of library studies, field surveys, and the use of radar images. After conducting field investigations and interpreting aerial photos, over 500 landslides were identified. Subsequently, 13 possible factors affecting the landslide occurrence were extracted and mapped. To prepare a landslide susceptibility zoning map, the Frequency Ratio (FR) method was utilized, resulting in a map with an accuracy of 81.7%. In this method, three factors of Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI), slope and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), which indicates the amount of water accumulated in different areas, have the greatest impact on the occurrence of landslides. Additionally, the Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) method was used to estimate the amount of ground displacement and identify the active slopes of the area, and the necessary processing was done on Sentinel-1 images in two years. The results showed that the most significant mass movements are observed in the northern regions of the basin. Due to the very high accuracy of the ground displacement maps and landslide susceptibility zoning, as well as the concern about identifying hazardous zones, the study area was divided into three zones. The final map can be used as a framework for monitoring, planning and adopting a suitable strategy for sustainable development in susceptible areas.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Environmental Hazards

References

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