Spatial prediction of shallow landslide using Bat algorithm optimized machine learning approach: A case study in Lang Son Province, Vietnam

This study develops a machine learning method that hybridizes the Least Squares Support Vector Classification (LSSVC) and Bat Algorithm (BA), named as BA-LSSVC, for spatial prediction of shallow landslide. To construct and verify the hybrid method, a Geographic Information System (GIS) database for the study area of Lang Son province (Vietnam) has been employed. LSSVC is used to separate data samples in the GIS database into two categories of non-landslide (negative class) and landslide (positive class). The BA metaheuristic is employed to assist the LSSVC model selection process by fine-tuning its hyper-parameters: the regularization coefficient and the kernel function parameter. Experimental results point out that the hybrid BA-LSSVC can help to achieve a desired prediction with an accuracy rate of more than 90%. The performance of BA-LSSVC is also better than those of benchmark methods, including the Convolutional Neural Network, Relevance Vector Machine, Artificial Neural Network, and Logistic Regression. Hence, the newly developed model is a capable tool to assist local authority in landslide hazard mitigation and management.