Landslide susceptibility mapping based on frequency ratio and logistic regression models

The aim of this study is to apply and compare a probability model, frequency ratio and statistical model, and a logistic regression to Sajaroud area, Northern Iran using geographic information system. Landslide locations of the study area were detected from interpretation of aerial photographs and field surveys. Landslide-related factors such as elevation, slope gradient, slope aspect, slope curvature, rainfall, distance to fault, distance to drainage, distance to road, land use, and geology were calculated from the topographic and geology map and LANDSAT ETM satellite imagery. The spatial relationships between the landslide location and each landslide-related factor were analyzed and then landslide susceptibility maps were produced using the frequency ratio and forward stepwise logistic regression methods. Finally, the maps were tested and compared using known landslide locations, and success rates were calculated. Predicted accuracy values for frequency ratio (79.48%) and logistic regression models showed that the map obtained from frequency ratio model is more accurate than the logistic regression (77.4%) model. The models used in this study have shown a great deal of importance for watershed management and land use planning.