TITLE:
Geographic Information Technologies for the Study of Mass Wasting Hazards
AUTHORS:
Henry Pacheco, Carlos Suárez
KEYWORDS:
Mass Wasting Hazards, GIS, Vargas State, Venezuela
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Geosciences,
Vol.5 No.5,
April
29,
2014
ABSTRACT: The
purpose of the research was to obtain the mass wasting hazard map for the state
of Vargas, central coast of Venezuela, using GIS technology. The work was
developed through the heuristic method with the generation of thematic digital
maps, univariate statistical treatment, weighting of each variable and
quantifying the relationship of each parameter unit regarding mass wasting
processes. The algorithm designed to perform map algebra was designed using the
variables: surface geology, slope, slope orientation, terrain curvature,
moisture topographic index, power index surface flow rate and capacity sediment
transport and the rate normalized difference vegetation. The results show a
distribution of landslide hazard with the highest values in the west central
part of Vargas state, where the dominant lithology is incompetent, and combined
with topographic elements, determining high instability, meanwhile the lower
hazard areas were found in specific areas such as the middle watershed areas
east of the state. The calibration of this model shows a reliability of 80%, so
it is highly advisable to use the information generated in this work by
governmental and non-governmental organizations in the planning, management and
use of land.