Landslide susceptibility analysis of Yamac Basin in Bingol through the index method

Abstract

Aim of study: The present study aims to analyze the landslide susceptibility of Yamac Basin by applying the index method. Area of study: Covering an area of 78 km(2), Yamac Basin is located in the southern part of Bingol Province. The basin is composed of lithological agglomerate, tuff, conglomerate and sandstone. The difference in elevation between the northern and southern part of the basin reaches as high as 1000.00 m. Heavy precipitation, sparse vegetation, and high levels of river density have been observed in the basin. Material and Methods: In this study landslide susceptibility of Yamac Basin was analyzed by using the parameters of lithology, slope, aspect, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), distance to river systems and curvature. Main results: According to the susceptibility map based on the index method, landslide susceptibility is very high in northern, western and northwestern parts of the basin where a land route stretches from Yamac to Olukpinar Village. Research highlights: Natural and environmental factors were not evaluated during either the construction of the first settlement or of the first road. Thus, landslides cost significant economic losses every year. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to carry out studies on basin-scale planning in order to cope with the damages and problems caused by landslides.