Landslide Susceptibility Analysis with Emphasis on Earthquake Impacts (Case Study: Karand to Sarpolzahab Road)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Hamid Ganjaeian ¹
• Milad Firozeh ²
• Ali Mirakhorli ³
• Toktam Yazdani ⁴

¹ Ph.D. in Geomorphology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² M.Sc. in Urban Engineering, Urban Planning Major, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran

³ Ph.D. Student in Geomorphology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

⁴ Ph.D. in Geomorphology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

10.22067/geoeh.2025.94360.1591

Abstract

Landslides are among the most significant hazards threatening many mountainous regions. One such high-risk area, due to its geomorphological and tectonic conditions, is the road corridor between Karand and Sarpolzahab in Kermanshah Province. In this study, Sentinel 1 radar images, MODIS satellite images, the 1:100,000 digital geological map of the area, and the 12.5 m ALOS PALSAR Digital Elevation Model were used as the main data sources. The most important tools applied in this research included GMTSAR, Google Earth Engine, and ArcGIS. In this study, using relative weight coefficient methods, fuzzy logic, and radar interferometry, landslide-prone areas have been identified by considering the impacts of the Ezgeleh earthquake. Results show that vertical ground displacements in the study area ranged from −5 mm to 334 mm due to the earthquake. Given that such displacements can significantly contribute to slope instability and trigger landslides, this research highlights zones exhibiting both high susceptibility to landslides and vertical displacements exceeding 100 mm as areas with the greatest landslide risk. Accordingly, the mid-slopes and areas near the city of Sarpolzahab, due to their environmental conditions and substantial ground displacement, have been identified as the most hazardous zones in terms of landslide occurrence.
Introduction
Landslide is one of the important and destructive geomorphological phenomena that refers to the sudden or gradual displacement of a mass of soil, rock, sediment, or a combination of these materials along a slope. This phenomenon usually occurs in mountainous or sloping areas and can cause severe damage, including destruction of infrastructure, loss of agricultural lands, human casualties, and disruption of transportation and communication networks. Different regions, influenced by geological, hydrological, and topographical conditions, have varying potentials for natural hazards such as landslides. Iran’s geographical location places many of its regions at risk of landslides. Among these, the western parts of Kermanshah province, located in the Zagros mountain range, have a high potential for this hazard. Due to high elevation and steep slopes, as well as the development of communication routes and other human activities, this region is highly vulnerable to landslides. Besides these factors, an often overlooked point is the tectonic setting and earthquakes in the area. In fact, the study area is tectonically active, which has caused many earthquakes, including the notable 7.3-magnitude Ezgeleh earthquake in 2017. These earthquakes have had both visible and subtle effects, including impacts on slopes, making them more prone to movement. Given the importance of the topic, this study aims to identify landslide-prone areas along the communication route from Karand to Sarpolzahab, with emphasis on tectonic factors.
Materials and Methods
In this study, Sentinel-1 radar images from before November 7, 2017, and after the Ezgeleh earthquake on November 19, 2017, MODIS satellite images from 2020 to 2024, the 1:100,000 digital geological maps of the Karad and Sarpolzahab sheets, and the 12.5 m ALOS PALSAR Digital Elevation Model were used as the main data sources. The key research tools included GMTSAR (V.6.0) for applying radar interferometry and ArcGIS for standardizing information layers and preparing the required maps. The research was conducted in several stages. In the first stage, to identify landslide-prone areas within the study region, the relative weight coefficient and fuzzy logic models and eight parameters—distance from roads, distance from rivers, elevation, slope, slope aspect, lithology, distance from faults, and vegetation cover—were employed. In the second stage, to examine the impacts of the 2017 Ezgeleh earthquake, radar interferometry was applied to assess the extent of surface displacement. In the third stage, the areas with both the highest vertical displacement and high landslide vulnerability were identified and introduced as zones at risk of landslides.
Discussion and Results
The results show that the Ezgeleh earthquake caused numerous visible and subtle changes in the area. Among the subtle effects was significant vertical displacement. Since such displacement can critically affect slope stability and trigger movements, a map of vertical displacement was created for the study area, showing displacements ranging from -5 mm to 334 mm. Areas with displacements greater than 100 mm were considered unstable. Subsequently, maps combining landslide susceptibility classes of high and very high vulnerability with vertical displacements above 100 mm were prepared. According to the results, the mid-slopes of the region and areas near Sarpolzahab city, due to both environmental susceptibility and vertical displacements above 100 mm, were identified as landslide-prone zones.
Conclusion
The analysis results indicate that the middle sections of this route, particularly due to high elevation, steep slopes, and dominant lithology, have the greatest potential for landslides. One of the main factors increasing slope instability is tectonic activity, especially the Ezgeleh earthquake, which caused significant ground surface displacements, with some points experiencing vertical movements exceeding 300 mm. These displacements can substantially weaken slope stability and increase the likelihood of landslides. Accordingly, areas exhibiting both natural susceptibility and vertical displacements over 100 mm were identified as having the highest landslide risk. Specifically, the mid-slopes and regions near Sarpolzahab city, due to the combination of favorable environmental conditions and considerable displacement, are classified among the highest-risk landslide zones. Based on the findings, it is recommended to continuously monitor ground displacements in the area using remote sensing techniques, limit construction in high-risk zones, and implement slope stabilization and reinforcement projects. Additionally, educational programs for local residents can play an effective role in reducing landslide-related damages

Keywords

• Landslide
• Earthquake
• Vertical Displacement
• Karand–Sarpolzahab Road

Main Subjects

• Road hazards

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©2025 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)

 

 

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