Early Identification and Characteristics of Potential Landslides in Xiaojiang Basin, Yunnan Province, China Using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Technology

Xiaolun Zhang, Shu Gan (), Xiping Yuan, Huilin Zong, Xuequn Wu and Yanyan Shao
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Xiaolun Zhang: Faculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China
Shu Gan: Faculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China
Xiping Yuan: Key Laboratory of Mountain Real Scene Point Cloud Data Processing and Application for Universities in Yunnan Province, West Yunnan University of Applied Sciences, Dali 671000, China
Huilin Zong: Faculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China
Xuequn Wu: Faculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China
Yanyan Shao: The Integrated Institute of Yunnan Bureau of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, Kunming 650118, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: The Xiaojiang Basin ranks among the global regions with the highest density of geological hazards. Landslides, avalanches, and debris flows represent significant threats to the safety of residents and their properties, impeding sustainable development. This study utilized three InSAR techniques to monitor surface deformations in the basin, using the standard deviation of these measurements as a stability threshold to identify potential landslides. A systematic analysis of landslide development characteristics was then conducted. Key findings include the following: (1) The annual average deformation velocity in the basin from 2018 to 2021 ranged from −25.36 to 24.40 mm/year, identifying 212 potential landslides. (2) Deformation analysis of a typical landslide in Caizishan showed consistent detection of significant surface changes by all three InSAR methods. Seasonal deformation linked to summer rainfall exacerbates the movement in elevated landslides. (3) Landslides predominantly occur in fragile geological formations such as sandstone, mudstone, and kamacite on slopes of 20° to 40°. These landslides, typically covering less than 0.1 km 2 , are mostly found on barren and grassland terrains adjacent to lower debris gullies, with a relative elevation difference of under 300 m and an aspect range of 90° to 270°. A high kernel density value of 0.3 or higher was noted, with 86.8% influenced by regional tectonic activities, including fault zones. The results demonstrate that natural environmental factors primarily drive landslides in the Xiaojiang Basin, which pose significant threats to the safety of nearby residents. This study’s insights and outcomes provide valuable references for safeguarding local populations, disaster prevention, and promoting regional sustainable development.

Keywords: landslides; InSAR; early identification; sustainability; development characteristics; Xiaojiang Basin (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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