Landslide susceptibility zoning based on Rock Engineering System application to the Tehran case study

Abstract

Landsliding and slope instability pose significant risks to human settlements and infrastructure. This study aims to develop a landslide susceptibility map for the mountainous regions of Tehran province, Iran. The rock engineering approach was employed at a regional scale, utilizing a database of regional landslides. The semi-quantitative Rock Engineering System method was applied, considering 10 conditioning factors. The model was validated using historical landslide data, showing strong correlation. The majority of landslides occurred within medium and high susceptibility zones. Geological units, particularly the Karaj Formation's claystone layers, displayed a clear association with landslide susceptibility. The rock engineering approach yielded a highly accurate susceptibility map. Findings can inform future territorial planning in the area.