Landslide Susceptibility Analysis of Camili (Macahel) Basin (Artvin, NE Turkey)

One of the most common natural disasters in Turkey and in the world is landslides. Investigation of Turkey’s profile of the last 50 years shows that the landslides are the most occurring natural disasters with a ratio of 45%. The current study investigates the landslide susceptibility analysis of Camili (Macahel) Basin which is one of the unique places on earth with its specific fauna and flora and which is the first Biosphere Reserve Area of Turkey. The landslides which are among the most common natural disaster risks in the basin with international recognizance present crucial threats both in terms of settlement and planning. In this context, the study examined the factors that cause landslides in the basin area, their impact levels, ratios of potential landslide zones and their geographical distributions. The study employed factor maps of various scales obtained from different resources. 17 parameter factors obtained with the help of these maps were evaluated separately in terms of intergroup and between groups assessment and were used to identify landslide risk zones in connection with condition dependent overlay method. The study based on a topography plate with scaled 1/25.000 made use of maps of various scales about different parameters as well as Landsat satellite images. Mapping and analysis phases of the study were based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) Technology. In this context, ArcGIS/ArcMap 10 CBS and ERDAS 2012 UA software was utilized. It was identified at the end of the landslide susceptibility study of the basin that medium level susceptible zones display the highest distribution with 59% ratio (21625 ha) followed by high and very high level susceptible zones with 27% and low and very low level susceptible zones with 14%. It was determined that potential risk zones are concentrated around slopes overlooking north where relief and precipitation values are high, mountain and slope morphology is dominant and vegetation is destroyed of weakened. The zones with high landslide risk should not be used for purposes of settlement or any other human related activity. Disaster management planning should be undertaken and implemented immediately.

Keywords

Landslide Susceptibility Analysis of Camili (Macahel) Basin (Artvin, NE Turkey)