Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identification of landslide spatial distribution and susceptibility assessment in relation to topography in the Xi’an Region, Shaanxi Province, China

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Earth Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Landslides are among the most serious of geohazards in the Xi’an Region, Shaanxi, China, and are responsible for extensive human and property loss. In order to understand the distribution of landslides and assess their associated hazards in this region, we used a combination of frequency analysis, logistic analysis, and Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis, with consideration of the spatial distribution of landslides. Using the GIS approach, the five key factors of surface topography, including slope gradient, topographic wetness index (TWI), height difference, profile curvature and slope aspect, were considered. First, the distribution and frequency of landslides were considered in relation to all of the five factors in each of three sub-regions susceptible to landslides (Qin Mountain, Li Mountain, and Loess Tableland). Secondly, each factor’s influence was determined by a logistic regression method, and the relative importance of each of these independent variables was evaluated. Finally, a landslide susceptibility map was generated using GIS tools. Locations that had recorded landslides were used to validate the results of the landslide susceptibility map and the accuracy obtained was above 84%. The validation proved that there is sufficient agreement between the susceptibility map and existing records of landslide occurrences. The logistic regression model produced acceptable results (the areas under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve were 0.865, 0.841, and 0.924 in the Qin Mountain, Li Mountain and Loess Tableland). We are confident that the results of this study can be useful in preliminary planning for land use, particularly for construction work in high-risk areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ayalew L, Yamagishi H (2005). The application of GIS-based logistic regression for landslide susceptibility mapping in the the Kakuda-Yahiko Mountains, Central Japan. Geomorphology, 65(1–2): 15–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baghem M, Chouabi B, Abdel M, Demdoum C, Abdeslem D (2012). Geologic, topographic and climatic controls in landslide hazard assessment using GIS modeling: a case study of Souk Ahras region, NE Algeria. Quaternary International, 302(17): 224–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Bai S, Lu G, Wang J, Zhou P, Ding L (2011). GIS-based rare events logistic regression for landslide-susceptibility mapping of Lianyungang, China. Environment Earth Science, 62(1): 139–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bai S B, Wang J, Lu G, Zhou P, Hou S S, Xu S N (2010). GIS-based logistic regression for landslide susceptibility mapping of the Zhongxian segment in the Three Gorges area China. Geomorphology, 115(1–2): 23–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beven K J, Kirkby MJ (1979). A physically based, variable contributing area model of basin hydrology. Hydrol Sci Bull, 24(1): 43–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cui P, Zhou G G D, Zhu X H, Zhang J Q (2012). Scale amplification of natural debris flows caused by cascading landslide dam failures. Geomorphology, 123: 1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Cui P, Zou Q, Xiang L Z, Zeng C (2013). Risk assessment of simultaneous debris flows in mountain townships. Prog Phys Geogr, 37(4): 516–542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai F C, Lee C F (2002). Landslide characteristics and slope instability modeling using GIS, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Geomorphology, 42(3–4): 213–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai F C, Lee C F, Ngai Y Y (2002). Landslide risk assessment and management: an overview. Eng Geol, 64(1): 65–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai F C, Lee C F, Zhang X H (2001). GIS-based geo-environmental evaluation for urban land-use planning: a case study. Eng Geol, 61(4): 257–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ermini L, Catani F, Casagli N (2005). Artificial Neural Networks applied to landslide susceptibility assessment. Geomorphology, 66(1–4): 327–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fell R, Corominas J, Bonnard C, Cascini L, Leroi E, Savage W Z (2008). Guidelines for landslide susceptibility, hazard and risk zoning for land use planning. Eng Geol, 102(3–4): 85–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes N F, Guimarães R F, Gomes R A T, Vieira B C, Montgomery D R, Greenberg H (2004). Topographic controls of landslides in Rio de Janeiro: field evidence and modeling. Catena, 55(2): 163–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García-Rodríguez M J, Malpica J A, Benito B, Díaz M (2008). Susceptibility assessment of earthquake-triggered landslides in El Salvador using logistic regression. Geomorphology, 95(3–4): 172–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guzzetti F, Peruccacci S, Rossi M, Stark C P (2008). The rainfall intensity-duration control of shallow landslides and debris flows: an update. Landslides, 5(1): 3–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guzzetti F, Reichenbach P, Ardizzone F, Cardinali M, Galli M (2006). Estimating the quality of landslide susceptibility models. Geomorphology, 81(1–2): 166–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iverson R M (1997). The physics of debris flows. Rev Geophys, 35(3): 245–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kayastha P (2012). Application of fuzzy logic approach for landslide susceptibility mapping in Garuwa sub-basin, East Nepal. Front Earth Sci, 6(4): 420–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keefer D K, Wilson R C, Mark R K, Brabb E E, Brown W. M (1987). Real-time landslide warning during heavy rainfall. Science, 238(13): 921–925

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee S (2007). Comparison of landslide susceptibility maps generated through multiple logistic regression for three test areas in Korea. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 32(14): 2133–2148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee S, Min K (2001). Statistical analysis of landslide susceptibility at Yongin, Korea. Environment Geology, 40(9): 1095–1113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee S, Pradhan B (2007). Landslide hazard mapping at Selangor, Malaysia using frequency ratio and logistic regression models. Landslides, 4(1): 33–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lei X Y (1991). The stability of loess landslides on the edges of the bailuyuan tableland, Xi’an and their relationship with human activities. Geology Review, 37(3): 258–264 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Y S (1992). Xi’an Crack and the Weihe River Basin Active Fault Research. Beijing: Seismological Press (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao W D (2007). Analysis of Characteristic and cause of formation of landslides at bailuyuan. Journal of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Engineering, 27(1): 80–85 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu X L, Yu C J, Shi P J, Fang W H (2012). Debris flow and landslide hazard mapping and risk analysis in China. Front Earth Sci, 6(3): 306–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansouri Daneshvar M R, Bagherzadeh A (2011). Landslide hazard zonation assessment using GIS analysis at Golmakan Watershed, northeast of Iran. Front Earth Sci, 5(1): 70–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery D R, Dietrich W E (1994). A physically based model for the topographic control on shallow landsliding. Water Resources Research, 30: 1153–1171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nandi A, Shakoor A (2010). A GIS-based landslide susceptibility evaluation using bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Eng Geol, 110(1–2): 11–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nefeslioglu H A, Sezer E, Gokceoglu C, Bozkir A S, Duman T Y (2010). Assessment of landslide susceptibility by decision trees in the metropolitan area of Istanbul, Turkey. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 90(105): 89–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng J B, Zhang J, Su S R, Mi F S (1992). Active Faults and Geological Hazards inWei Basin. Xi’an: Northwest University Press (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Piacentini D, Troiani F, Soldati M, Notarnicola C, Savelli D, Schneiderbauer S S C, Strada C (2012). Statistical analysis for assessing shallow-landslide susceptibility in South Tyrol (southeastern Alps, Italy). Geomorphology, 151–152: 196–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regmi N R, Giardino J R, Vitek J D (2010). Modeling susceptibility to landslides using the weight of evidence approach: Western Colorado, USA. Geomorphology, 115(1–2): 172–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swets J A (1988). Measuring the accuracy of diagnostic systems. Science, 240(4857): 1285–1293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang C, van Asch T W J, Chang M, Chen G Q, Zhao X H, Huang X C (2012). Catastrophic debris flows on 13 August 2010 in the Qingping area, southwestern China: the combined effects of a strong earthquake and subsequent rainstorms. Geomorphology, 139–140: 559–576

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wieczorek G F, Mandrone G, DeCola L (1997). The influence of hillslope shape on debris-flow initiation. In: Chen C L, ed. Debris-Flow Hazards Mitigation: Mechanics, Prediction, and Assessment. California: American Society of Civil Engineers, 21–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson J P, Gallant J C (2000). Terrain Analysis. Principles and Applications. New York: Wiley, 113–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu C, Xu X W, Dai F C, Saraf A K (2012). Comparison of different models for susceptibility mapping of earthquake triggered landslides related with the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Comput Geosci, 46: 317–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu C, Xu X W, Dai F C, Wu Z D, He H L, Shi F, Wu X Y, Xu S N (2013). Application of an incomplete landslide inventory, logistic regression model and its validation for landslide susceptibility mapping related to the May 12, 2008Wenchuan earthquake of China. Nat Hazards, 68(2): 883–900

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Q, Fan X M, Huang R Q, Yin Y P, Hou S S, Dong X J, Tang M G (2010). A catastrophic rockslide-debris flow in Wulong, Chongqing, China in 2009: background, characterization, and causes. Landslides, 7(1): 75–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz I (2009). Landslide susceptibility mapping using frequency ratio, logistic regression, artificial neural networks and their comparison: a case study from Kat landslides (Tokat-Turkey). Comput Geosci, 35(6): 1125–1138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yune C Y, Chae Y K, Paik J, Kim G, Lee S W, Seo H S (2013). Debris flow in metropolitan area-2011 Seoul debris flow. Journal of Mountain Science, 10(2): 199–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao F S (1993) Features and occurring conditions of the bailuyuan slope failures, Xi’an. Journal of Xi’an College of Geology, 15(4): 167–171 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geological Engineering and Surveying of Changan University, Key Laboratory of Western China Mineral Resources and Geological Engineering, Xi’an, 710054, China

    Jianqi Zhuang, Jianbing Peng, Yazhe Li & Penghui Ma

  2. Institute of Geo-hazards Mitigation of Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054, China

    Jianqi Zhuang, Jianbing Peng, Tieming Liu & Na Liu

  3. Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    Javed Iqbal

  4. Department of Earth Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan

    Javed Iqbal

Authors
  1. Jianqi Zhuang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jianbing Peng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Javed Iqbal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tieming Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Na Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yazhe Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Penghui Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jianbing Peng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhuang, J., Peng, J., Iqbal, J. et al. Identification of landslide spatial distribution and susceptibility assessment in relation to topography in the Xi’an Region, Shaanxi Province, China. Front. Earth Sci. 9, 449–462 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-014-0474-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-014-0474-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation