Analysis of topographic parameters underpinning landslide occurrence in Kigezi highlands of southwestern Uganda
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Natural Hazards
Abstract
An assessment of the influence of topography on landslide occurrence in the Kigezi highlands
of southwestern Uganda was conducted. Whereas the frequency and magnitude of
landslides in these highlands are on the increase, the topographic attributes underpinning
landslide occurrence are not well understood. Sixty-five landslide scars were surveyed and
mapped to produce landslide distribution maps. Specific topographic parameters, namely
slope gradient, profile curvature, topographic wetness index (TWI), stream power index
(SPI), and topographic position index (TPI), were assessed on landslide slope sites. The
attributes were parameterized in the field and GIS environment using a 10-m DEM. Landslides
were noted to concentrate along narrow topographic hollows, as opposed to broad
concave slopes in the landscape. The occurrence is dominant in slope zones where slope
gradient, profile curvature, TWI, TPI, and SPI are 25°–35°, 0.1–5, 8–18, − 1–1, and > 10,
respectively. It was established that profile curvature and slope gradient are the most and least
significant topographic parameters in landslide occurrence (R2 = 0.802, p value = 0.088 and
R2 = 0.5665, p value = 0.057), respectively. An understanding of these topographic underpinnings
would serve to identify and predict potential landslide zones within the landscape and
enhance landslide hazard mitigation.
Description
Keywords
Parameters, Landslide occurrence, Kigezi highlands
Citation
Nseka, D., Kakembo, V., Bamutaze, Y., & Mugagga, F. (2019). Analysis of topographic parameters underpinning landslide occurrence in Kigezi highlands of southwestern Uganda. Natural Hazards, 99(2), 973-989. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-019-03787-x