Improving the mapping, predictability of landslides

Grant and Award Announcement

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

 

IMAGE: PHOTO OF A LANDSLIDE-PRONE AREA IN THE OUACHITA MOUNTAINS. view more 

CREDIT: PROVIDED BY THE OKLAHOMA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Netra Regmi, Ph.D., hazards geologist for the Oklahoma Geological Survey at the University of Oklahoma, is leading a study funded by NASA using remote sensing data and machine learning to improve scientists’ understanding and predictability of landslides. Remote sensing data helps scientists detect and monitor changes on the Earth’s surface over time.

According to NASA's Earth Science Division, landslides are one of the major geohazards that cause thousands of fatalities and billions of dollars in damages each year across the world. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that landslides cause more than $1 billion in damages and about 25 to 50 deaths each year in the United States. Landslides occur in every state and U.S. territory and pose significant hazards in eastern Oklahoma’s Ouachita and Ozark mountains.

Regmi, with Oklahoma Geological Survey researchers Nicholas Hayman and Jacob Walter, and School of Geosciences assistant professor Junle Jiang, are building on previous research that mapped a large number of landslides in eastern Oklahoma. Using expanded data sets, the research team is now looking to better understand the causes, mechanics and associated hazards of these landslides.

“Using Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar data and LiDAR topographic data, we are looking at patterns of hillslope deformation over time – all the different types of landslides going from slow-moving landslides (soil creep) to rapid landslides that can be catastrophic,” Regmi said. “We’re trying to understand the distribution, causes, triggers and mechanics of these landslides.”

Many factors can contribute to landslides, from atmospheric conditions like severe weather, precipitation and humidity to seismic activity, human activities that modify slopes such as mining and construction, and more.

Using machine learning techniques and relating what is known about landslide occurrences with additional data related to the potential contributing factors, the research team plans to develop a high-resolution landslides susceptibility map to attempt to forecast future landslides in eastern Oklahoma. The map and information resulting from this study could be used to help local emergency managers and others improve safety and hazard communication for those most at risk in landslide-prone areas.

“It is advanced science because looking at the soil creep and their progression into rapid landslides, not too much work has been done worldwide,” Regmi said.

Learn more about the Oklahoma Geological Survey at https://www.ou.edu/ogs and about the project at https://netraregmi.oucreate.com/recent-projects/.

Photo of a landslide-prone area in the Ouachita Mountains.

CREDIT

Photo provided by the Oklahoma Geological Survey, University of Oklahoma.

About the Project
The project, “Monitoring Hillslope Dynamics Using SAR Time Series and Machine Learning,” is funded by NASA, award no. 80NSSC22K1723.

About the University of Oklahoma Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships 

The University of Oklahoma is a leading research university classified by the Carnegie Foundation in the highest tier of research universities in the nation. Faculty, staff and students at OU are tackling global challenges and accelerating the delivery of practical solutions that impact society in direct and tangible ways through research and creative activities. OU researchers expand foundational knowledge while moving beyond traditional academic boundaries, collaborating across disciplines and globally with other research institutions as well as decision makers and practitioners from industry, government and civil society to create and apply solutions for a better world. Find out more at ou.edu/research

About the University of Oklahoma

Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information visit www.ou.edu.