Assessing the Influence of Environmental Factors on Landslide Frequency and Intensity in Northwestern Sichuan, SW China, Using Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery
Landslides are a significant geological hazard with substantial socio-economic and environmental consequences, particularly in northwestern Sichuan, SW China, where complex geological and climatic conditions contribute to their occurrence. This study examines 1629 recorded landslide events, includin...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/12/2083 |
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| author | Yu Zhu Huajin Li Ran Tang Zhanfeng Fan Lixuan Mao Yifei Lu Chuanhao Pu Yusen He |
| author_facet | Yu Zhu Huajin Li Ran Tang Zhanfeng Fan Lixuan Mao Yifei Lu Chuanhao Pu Yusen He |
| author_sort | Yu Zhu |
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| description | Landslides are a significant geological hazard with substantial socio-economic and environmental consequences, particularly in northwestern Sichuan, SW China, where complex geological and climatic conditions contribute to their occurrence. This study examines 1629 recorded landslide events, including 240 active landslides that have undergone substantial changes over the past two decades. By analyzing multi-temporal satellite imagery, this research investigates the relationship between landslide occurrence and key environmental factors such as annual rainfall and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The results reveal that landslides are most frequent on southwest-, south-, east-, and southeast-facing slopes, where the Föhn effect interacts with rainfall and vegetation patterns, thereby increasing landslide susceptibility. Rainfall intensity is identified as a critical factor, with landslide areas expanding significantly when annual rainfall exceeds 650 mm, while minimal changes are observed when rainfall is below 550 mm. The relationship between the NDVI and landslide occurrence is non-linear; higher vegetation cover does not necessarily correlate with reduced landslide frequency. Notably, landslide expansion is more pronounced when NDVI values are below 0.82, with a suppression effect occurring beyond this threshold. A threshold model based on the interaction between the NDVI and rainfall provides valuable insights into landslide dynamics, offering a framework for improved risk management. Slope characteristics are crucial in landslide evolution, with steeper slopes leading to greater vertical drops and more frequent events, making slope zone identification key for predicting future expansion. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9f8ef9f240e64da8bd397956c10f48d3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-9f8ef9f240e64da8bd397956c10f48d32025-08-20T02:21:53ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-06-011712208310.3390/rs17122083Assessing the Influence of Environmental Factors on Landslide Frequency and Intensity in Northwestern Sichuan, SW China, Using Multi-Temporal Satellite ImageryYu Zhu0Huajin Li1Ran Tang2Zhanfeng Fan3Lixuan Mao4Yifei Lu5Chuanhao Pu6Yusen He7School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaDepartment of Computer Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USAJacobs School of Engineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USAState Key Laboratory of Geo-Hazard Prevention and Geo-Environment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaDepartment of Industrial and System Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA 52242, USALandslides are a significant geological hazard with substantial socio-economic and environmental consequences, particularly in northwestern Sichuan, SW China, where complex geological and climatic conditions contribute to their occurrence. This study examines 1629 recorded landslide events, including 240 active landslides that have undergone substantial changes over the past two decades. By analyzing multi-temporal satellite imagery, this research investigates the relationship between landslide occurrence and key environmental factors such as annual rainfall and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The results reveal that landslides are most frequent on southwest-, south-, east-, and southeast-facing slopes, where the Föhn effect interacts with rainfall and vegetation patterns, thereby increasing landslide susceptibility. Rainfall intensity is identified as a critical factor, with landslide areas expanding significantly when annual rainfall exceeds 650 mm, while minimal changes are observed when rainfall is below 550 mm. The relationship between the NDVI and landslide occurrence is non-linear; higher vegetation cover does not necessarily correlate with reduced landslide frequency. Notably, landslide expansion is more pronounced when NDVI values are below 0.82, with a suppression effect occurring beyond this threshold. A threshold model based on the interaction between the NDVI and rainfall provides valuable insights into landslide dynamics, offering a framework for improved risk management. Slope characteristics are crucial in landslide evolution, with steeper slopes leading to greater vertical drops and more frequent events, making slope zone identification key for predicting future expansion.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/12/2083landslide dynamicsmulti-temporal satellite imageryenvironmental factorsfoehn effectthreshold model |
| spellingShingle | Yu Zhu Huajin Li Ran Tang Zhanfeng Fan Lixuan Mao Yifei Lu Chuanhao Pu Yusen He Assessing the Influence of Environmental Factors on Landslide Frequency and Intensity in Northwestern Sichuan, SW China, Using Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery Remote Sensing landslide dynamics multi-temporal satellite imagery environmental factors foehn effect threshold model |
| title | Assessing the Influence of Environmental Factors on Landslide Frequency and Intensity in Northwestern Sichuan, SW China, Using Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery |
| title_full | Assessing the Influence of Environmental Factors on Landslide Frequency and Intensity in Northwestern Sichuan, SW China, Using Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the Influence of Environmental Factors on Landslide Frequency and Intensity in Northwestern Sichuan, SW China, Using Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the Influence of Environmental Factors on Landslide Frequency and Intensity in Northwestern Sichuan, SW China, Using Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery |
| title_short | Assessing the Influence of Environmental Factors on Landslide Frequency and Intensity in Northwestern Sichuan, SW China, Using Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery |
| title_sort | assessing the influence of environmental factors on landslide frequency and intensity in northwestern sichuan sw china using multi temporal satellite imagery |
| topic | landslide dynamics multi-temporal satellite imagery environmental factors foehn effect threshold model |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/12/2083 |
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