Remote Sensing And Gis Usage In Mapping Vulnerable Landslide Areas In Murang’A County, Kenya

Abstract

This project presents the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing in landslide susceptibility mapping as one of the means for disaster management. A part of the Central Kenya region i.e. Murang’a County was selected for the project execution. Topographic maps, field data, Earth Explorer satellite data and other informative maps were used as inputs to the study. Important terrain factors contributing to landslide occurrences in the region were identified and corresponding thematic data layers were generated. These data layers represent the geological, topographical, and hydrological conditions of the terrain. Landslide characteristics in the study area were derived by using GIS analytical procedure. The procedure utilized the detailed spatial database of the area to integrate the evidence of the past slope failures and their causative variables for landslide occurrences. The resulting landslide hazard map delineates the area into different zones of three relative susceptibility classes: high, moderate, and low. The landslide hazard map was validated by correlating the landslide frequencies of different classes. Key words: Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing, Hazards, Risk, Landslides, Vulnerability, Disaster, Disaster Management, Mitigation.