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Riverbank Landslides and the Probability Analysis of Landslide Dams

Chien-Yuan Chen and Wei-Ting Lee
Dept. of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, National Chiayi University Chiayi City, Taiwan R.O.C.

Abstract—Climate change induced slopeland hazards have become an issue in recent years worldwide, especially the landslide dams-induced. The probability of landslide dam formation in the Laonong River basin during Typhoon Morakot in 2009 is analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis, topographic features (elevation, slope, aspect, and geology), hydrological factors and use of the Shallow Slope Stability (SHALSTAB) model to simulate potential landslide areas. Landslide area, cumulative frequency distribution, and cumulative probability distribution are used to determine the potential of landslide dam formation and for further risk assessment. The results show that topographic factors interact with each other, the elevation factor being the most seriously affected. Landslides and landslide dams are located in the mid to high potential areas in the SHALSTAB analysis. Landslide frequency-area distribution in the basin shows a power-law relationship. The main landslide area is between 103 to 104 m2. Landslide probability for an area larger than 103 m2 is about 86% while areas greater than 104 m2 have about a 19% landslide probability. A minimum landslide area of 2×104 m2 was found sufficient to block the river in the study area. 
 
Index Terms—landslide, landslide dam, probability, landslide potential

Cite: Chien-Yuan Chen and Wei-Ting Lee, "Riverbank Landslides and the Probability Analysis of Landslide Dams," International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 201-206, August 2016. doi: 10.18178/ijscer.5.3.201-206