Mapping of landslides and landslide processes in Uzbekistan using relief plastics (on the example of the Chirchik basin)
Abstract
Combating the effects of landslides involves finding low-cost solutions to prevent damage from landslide processes. One of the effective and inexpensive methods to reduce the negative impact of landslides is to compile maps of the susceptibility of the territory to landslides. Mapping areas at risk of massive landslide displacement contributes to informed decisions about investments and permits for the construction of industrial facilities and residential buildings in such areas, reducing future losses. An analysis of published materials on landslide processes and phenomena shows the variety of methods used to study, evaluate and predict them. However, despite the many methods used, most studies boil down to the application of traditional landslide data processing methods. To study landslide processes, we propose a relief plastic method. This method allows, based on the conversion of contour lines of topographic maps in combination with field research materials (geological, geomorphological, geophysical, etc.), to identify the boundaries of “lithodynamic flows”, i.e. outline the spatial boundaries of the formation, transit and accumulation of landslide process products. The aim of our research was to show the possibility of using a relief plastic map in detailing the nature of the movement of a landslide-slope and establishing localization sites for landslide plots. Mapped material in combination with field routes to the landslide support areas of Chimgansaya, located in the upper part of the Chirchik river valley, confirmed the contours of the development of landslide processes. On the basis of a thorough analysis and transformations by the method of second derivatives of the contours of the topographic maps, the convexity and concavity of the relief were identified, which together form lithodynamic flows that create a spatial heterogeneity of the relief forms. The map also shows the direction and spatial boundaries of landslide flows. The information received is new, which is not detected by traditional cards.