Enhancing landslide inventory mapping through Multi-SAR image analysis: a comprehensive examination of current landslide zones

Abstract

Landslide inventory maps (LIMs) are a map type that provides information to the user about the landslides. The high accuracy of this map enables outputs derived from it to be produced more realistically and accurately. LIMs are generally produced by the requests from the user, taking into account the regions where access is easy, where settlements are located and using traditional techniques. LIMs produced for areas where access is limited or settlements are absent generally have distant, low accuracy, and unreliable data because landslides in these regions are often not considered. This study aims to investigate the landslides using multi-temporal SAR imagery and to develop a methodology to improve the LIM by new landslides. The results show that the velocities of PS points falling on the landslides are between − 11.2 and 14.9 mm/y. Then, the regions defined as possible landslides were identified by analyzing the velocity model produced with the help of the kriging interpolation. The potential landslides overlapped with those recorded by public institutions and organizations, and eight new landslides consisting of approximately 8.32 km² were identified. Finally, these new landslides were examined regarding slope degree and soil groups by overlapping with land use capability maps. Results indicated that all new landslides were located in landslide-prone areas. The detection of new landslides and monitoring of landslides were carried out in a practical, highly accurate, and cost-effective manner using the developed methodology.