Forecast volume of potential landslides in alpine-canyon terrain using time-series InSAR technology: a case study in the Bailong River basin, China

The magnitude (spatial location, area, and volume) of landslides is a crucial parameter for estimating the quantitative risk and preventing landslide hazards. This study proposes a novel approach to forecast the volume of potential landslides in alpine-canyon terrain by combining the empirical relationship linking landslide volume (V) to characteristics and synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) technology in the northeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. First, a historical landslide inventory with detailed characteristics was established by reviewing literature and field investigation. Then, the relationship between volume and characteristics of landslides was analyzed based on the least-squares linear regression of the logarithmic transformation. Finally, the relationships of the colluvial landslides (V = 0.170xL0.982xW1.589xH0.471)\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$({\text{V}}\text{ = 0.170}\times{\text{L}}<^>{0.982}\times{\text{W}}<^>{1.589}\times{\text{H}}<^>{0.471})$$\end{document} and loess landslides (V = 0.170xL0.796xW2.151xH0.048)\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$({\text{V}}\text{ = 0.170}\times{\text{L}}<^>{0.796}\times{\text{W}}<^>{2.151}\times{\text{H}}<^>{{0}\text{.048}})$$\end{document} were obtained after verifying several landslides. The ground deformation rate was generated, and 217 potential landslides were detected using 47 descending Sentinel-1A images acquired from January 11, 2020, to July 16, 2021, and 40 ascending Sentinel-1A images acquired from January 11, 2020, to April 23, 2021. Through the established relationships, the total volumes of all potential colluvial and loess landslides were estimated to be 8.77x\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\times$$\end{document}108 m3 and 5.74x\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\times$$\end{document}108 m3, respectively. This study provides an improved empirical relationship to better forecast the volume of potential landslides in alpine-canyon terrain. Furthermore, the study helps in understanding the future dynamic evolution of potential landslides using InSAR technology, which provides scientific understanding to assess and prevents potential landslide hazards and risks in the Bailong River basin.

Automated summary

This study proposes a novel approach to forecast the volume of potential landslides in alpine-canyon terrain by combining characteristics and synthetic aperture radar interferometry technology. The relationships between volume and characteristics of colluvial landslides and loess landslides were analyzed, and potential landslides were detected using InSAR technology. The study provides valuable insights for assessing and preventing potential landslide hazards in the study area.