Indicating the Possibility of Activation of Large and Old Landslides and Risk Estimation Using Remote Sensing and Field Data, Examples from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Iraq

• Published in: Geotectonics 2020-03, Vol.54 (2), p.240-255
• Main Authors: Sissakian, V. K., Al-Ansari, N., Abdulahad, A. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activation; Carbonates; Creeks & streams; Dormancy; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Geology; Geoteknik; landslide; Landslides; Landslides & mudslides; lateral erosion; LPI; Mountain regions; Mountainous areas; Remote sensing; risk estimation; Rivers; Satellite imagery; shifted drainage; Soil Mechanics; Spaceborne remote sensing; Streams; Structural Geology; Valleys
• ISSN: 0016-8521; 1556-1976; 1556-1976
• DOI: 10.1134/S0016852120020107

Majority of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is a mountainous area with relief differences that attain up to 1000 m, and locally more. The presence of dense net of rivers, streams and large valleys with diverse lithologies have initiated hundreds of mass movements of different types and sizes, active and dormant. In the current study, we have selected different landslides from different parts of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. In all selected cases, the landslides have shifted the facing rivers, streams or valleys. The slid masses are of hard and thick carbonates and/or claystones; however, clastic rocks are encountered too. At each studied landslide, we have presented the satellite image, detailed description of the geology, size of the involved area, cause of the slide, marking the original trace of the shifted river, stream or valley; if still exists. We have performed field work for some of them and presented more detailed data and field photos. Moreover, we have applied Landslide Possibility Index (LPI) at each case to indicate the possibility of re-activation or otherwise.