Landslide hazard zoning based on Hazard Potential Index for Environmental Planning

Determination of landslide hazard zones should be considered a primary activity in natural resource management that results in reduced landslide costs. Using landslide hazard zoning، one can detect susceptible and high potential landslide hazard areas. To address landslide hazard zone، GIS techniques were used to determine rapidly the sensitive areas. All important parameters such as slope، land-use، geology، rain and distance to fault lines were selected from satellite images of Landsat، topography and geology maps. Then، these layers were weighted according to Analytical Hierarchy Process and finally were combined based on Hazard Potential Index (HPI). Then، final layer were classified into 5 categories based on Natural Breaks Values. The results of this method، that are applicable and repeatable، indicated that in most of the landslide have occurred in southern part of Galugah to Kordkuy cities. These areas have lithological units including marl، clay، lime stones and slope classes 5 to 35 percent. Also، the comparison of generated landslide hazard layer with the actual landslide layer confirmed the accuracy of the determined hazard zone and the method. We suggest the use of this layer in planning activities like road and building construction to reduce the environment and economic costs. The method used in our analysis falls in the semi-complex approaches to landslide zoning، is repeatable and easily upgradable and matches with the pace of development in the area.