Topographic connection method for automated mapping of landslide inventories, study case: semi urban sub-basin from Monterrey, Northeast of México

Abstract

By nature, slopes are conformed by forces that are in constant balance. Altering this natural balance causes the sliding of soil towards lower zones. Landslides are a constant danger that compromises the general welfare of society. Landslides mapping is especially important for urban areas or development plans. The innovative aspect of this study is the creation of the Topographic Connection Method (TPCM) to automatically map landslides using two types of landslides 1) falls and 2) flows. TPCM cartography results were compared to a previously proven method (Contour Connection Method), as well as to the manual inventory method. Each method was run four times to locate changes through time by using satellite imagery, digital elevations models and 3D relief visualizations with data covering a period from 2012 to 2017. Results showed both falls and flows with all three methods and demonstrated that TPCM can improve mapping accuracy by up to 14%.

Keywords:

• Landslide mapping
• remote sensing
• GIS
• LiDAR

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors recognize the support of Instituto de Ingeniería Civil (Civil Engineering Institute), the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (National Council for Science and Technology) (CONACYT, Graduate Scholarship Number: 383163) and the Cuerpo Académico 080 Ciencias del Agua (Academic Body Water Sciences) that belongs the Facultad de Ingeniería Civil (Civil Engineering Faculty), with support project 511-6/17/7538 of the Programme for the Teacher Improvement (Programa de Mejoramiento del Profesorado, PROMEP) of the Secretary of Public Education.