Deciphering large landslides: linking hydrological, groundwater and slope stability models through GIS

摘要

Large landslides can deliver substantial volumes of sediment to river channels, with potentially adverse consequences for water quality and fish habitat. When planning land use activities, it is important both to consider the risks posed by landslides and to account for the effects of land use on rates of landslide movement. Of particular interest in the Pacific Northwest are the effects of timber harvest in groundwater recharge areas of landslides. Because of variability between sites, and variability over time in precipitation and other natural environmental factors affecting landslide behaviour, empirical data are usually insufficient for making such determinations. We describe here the use of simple numerical models of site hydrology, groundwater flow and slope stability for estimating the effects of timber harvest on the stability of the Hazel Landslide in northwestern Washington State. These effects are examined relative to those of river bank erosion at the landslide toe. The data used are distributed in time and space, as are the model results. A geographical information system (GIS) provides an efficient framework for data storage, transfer and display. Coupled with process-based numerical models, a GIS provides an effective tool for site-specific analysis of landslide behaviour. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.