Use of geoinformatics and geophysical applications in landslide studies: An overview

Abstract

Landslide is one of the hazardous geological phenomena which is gaining attention worldwide because of destruction caused by it. Due to the drastic increase in urbanization and human intervention in hilly regions, the destruction caused by mass wasting is increasing day by day. Landslides are far from the control of humans. But the destruction and losses caused by these calamites can be minimized, if their occurrence is known before time. This review paper aims at discussing how remote sensing, GIS and geophysical techniques can be utilized for investigation of landslides and mapping of landslide susceptible areas. Geophysical techniques can provide important information on physical characteristics linked with landslide mechanism. Complementarily, remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques play an important role in the generation of thematic layers related to landslide occurrences which aid to produce susceptible, hazard zonation and landslide inventory maps. Such integrated approach on landslides studies can bring about better understanding and help to take up mitigation measures to reduce the landslide hazards. © 2019, World Research Association. All rights reserved.