Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The study of the factors controlling rainfall-induced landslides at a failure-prone catchment area in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria using remote sensing data

  • ICL/IPL Activities
  • Published:
Landslides Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using remote sensing data and geographic information system (GIS) analytical techniques, we investigated instability at Iva Valley where there is an anomalous concentration of landslide scars. The area has a fairly rugged topography caused to a large extent by the headward erosion by the east-flowing Ekulu River. Mass wasting is more pronounced on the poorly consolidated sandstone (Ajali) formation which (as a major aquifer) serves as the source of the Ekulu River and its tributaries. At the lower portion of the formation and the uppermost part of shale (Mamu) formation (fractured in some places), inter-bedded thin mudstone layers provide the sandstones additional resistance to erosion, which however leads to steeper slopes and very deep and narrow stream channels. Digital elevation models show that the landforms are dominantly lowlands and lowhills with landslides concentrated on river tributaries where failures on the incised slopes create further instability. The overlying sandstone formation seems inherently unstable because of its semi-consolidated and friable nature. The fractures (orientated NE-SW) in the underlying shale formation and the occasional removal of lateral support by mining or road construction probably aggravate the instability. Additional stress on the unstable sandy mass resulting from increase in self-weight and pore pressure during rainfall readily induces failure, which then steepens the slopes and renders them vulnerable to more collapse behaviors that create clusters of scars. The results show good agreement with field observations and literature data indicating the importance of remote sensing analysis, ASTER, and SRTM imagery in geomorphologic interpretations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agagu OK, Adighije CI (1983) Tectonic and sedimentation framework of the lower Benue trough, southeastern Nigeria. J Afr Earth Sci 1:267–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Akpokodje EG, Tse AC, Ekeocha N (2010) Gully erosion geohazards in southeastern Nigeria and management implications. Sci Afr 9:20–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Aleotti P (2004) A warning system for rainfall-induced shallow failures. Eng Geol 73:247–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amajor LC (1987) Paleocurrent, petrography and provenance analyses of the Ajali sandstone (upper cretaceous) southeastern Benue trough. Niger Sed Geol 54:47–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson SA, Sitar N (1995) Analysis of rainfall-induced debris flow. J Geotech Eng 121:544–552

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banerjee I (1979) Analysis of cross-bedded sequences: an example from the Ajali sandstone (maastrichtian) of Nigeria. Quart J Geol Min Met Soc India 51:69–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Benkhelil J (1989) The origin and evolution of the cretaceous Benue trough (Nigeria). J Afr Earth Sci 8:251–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chigira M (2001) Micro-sheeting of granite and its relationship with landsliding specifically after the heavy rainstorm in june 1999, Hiroshima prefecture, Japan. Eng Geol 59:219–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chigira M (2002) Geologic factors contributing to landslide generation in a pyroclastic area: august 1998 nishigo village, Japan. Geomorphology 46:117–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chigira M, Kiho K (1994) Deep-seated rockslide-avalanches preceded by mass rock creep of sedimentary rocks in the Akaishi mountains, central Japan. Eng Geol 38:221–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crosta G, Frattini P (2008) Rainfall-induced landslides and debris flows. Hydrol Process 22:473–477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crozier MJ (1984) Field assessment of slope instability. In:Brunsden D, Prior DB (eds) Slope Instability. Wiley, Chichester, pp. 103-142, Chap. 4

  • Cruden DM, Varnes DJ (1996) Landslide types and processes. In: Turner AK, Schuster RL (eds) Special report 247: landslides investigation, mitigation. National Research Council, Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C., pp 36–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Daba S, Rieger W, Strauss P (2003) Assessment of gully erosion in eastern Ethiopia using photogrammetric techniques. Catena 50:273–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes NF, Guimaraes RF, Gomes RAT, Vieira BC, Montgomery DR, Greenberg H (2004) Topographic controls of landslides in Rio de Janeiro: field evidence and modeling. Catena 55:163–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fitton JG (1980) The Benue trough and Cameroon line—a migrating rift system in west africa. Earth Planet Sci Lett 51:132–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fourniadis IG, Liu JG, Mason PJ (2007) Landslide hazard assessment in the Three Gorges area, China, using ASTER imagery: Wushan–Badong. Geomorphology 84:126–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fukuoka M (1980) Landslides associated with rainfall. Geotech Eng 11:1–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabet E, Burbank D, Putkonen J, Pratt-Sitaula B, Ojha T (2004) Rainfall thresholds for landsliding in the Himalayas of Nepal. Geomorphology 63:131–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao J, Maro J (2010) Topographic controls on evolution of shallow landslides in pastoral Wairarapa, New Zealand, 1979–2003. Geomorphology 114:373–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gostelow P (1991) Rainfall and landslides. In: Almeida-Teixeira M (ed) Prevention and control of landslides and other mass movements. CEC, Brussels, pp 139–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Guzzetti F, Carrara A, Cardinali M, Reichenbach P (1999) Landslide hazard evaluation: a review of current techniques and their application in a multi-scale study, central Italy. Geomorphology 31:181–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guzzetti F, Peruccacci S, Rossi M, Stark C (2008) The rainfall intensity–duration control of shallow landslides and debris flows: an update. Landslides 5:3–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Highland LM, Bobrowsky P (2008) The landslide handbook—a guide to understanding landslides. Reston, Virginia. US Geol Surv Circ 1325:129

    Google Scholar 

  • Hong Y, Hiura H, Shino K, Sassa K, Suemine A, Fukuoka H, Wang G (2005) The influence of intense rainfall on the activity of large-scale crystalline schist landslides in Shikoku Island, Japan. Landslides 2:97–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoque M (1977) Petrographic differentiation of tectonically controlled cretaceous sedimentary cycles, southeastern Nigeria. Sed Geol 17:235–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoque M, Ezepue MC (1977) Petrology and paleogeography of the ajali sandstone. J Min Geol 14:16–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Hungr O, Evans SG, Bovis MJ, Hutchinson JN (2001) Review of the classification of landslides of the flow type. Environ Eng Geosci 7:221–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Igwe O (2012) ICL/IPL regional activities in West Africa. Landslides 9:433–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Igwe O (2013) ICL/IPL activities in West Africa: landslide risk assessment and hazard mapping approach. Landslides 10:515–521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Igwe O (2014) The role of weathering in the initiation and mobility of a rare complex avalanche at the Nigeria–Cameroon border, West Africa. Landslides 11:319–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Igwe O, Fukuoka H (2010) Environmental and socioeconomic impact of erosion in Nigeria, West Africa. Inter J Ero Cont Eng 3:102–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Igwe O, Mode W, Nnebedum O, Okonkwo I, Oha I (2013) The analysis of rainfall-induced slope failures at Iva Valley area of Enugu state. Nigeria. Env Earth Sci. doi:10.1007/s12665-013-2647-x

    Google Scholar 

  • Igwe O, Mode W, Nnebedum O, Okonkwo I, Oha I (2015) The mechanism and characteristics of a complex rock-debris avalanche at the Nigeria-Cameroon border, West Africa. Geomorphology 234:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jakob M, Weatherly H (2003) A hydroclimatic threshold for landslide initiation on the north shore mountains of Vancouver, British Columbia. Geomorphology 54:137–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katsube K, Oguchi T (1999) Altitudinal changes in slope angle and profile curvature in the Japan alps: a hypothesis regarding a characteristic slope angle. Geogr Rev Jpn 72B:63–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawabata D, Oguchi T, Katsube K (2001) Effects of geology on slope angles in the southern Japanese alps—a GIS approach. Trans Jpn Geomorphol 22:827–836

    Google Scholar 

  • Kogbe CA (1981) Attempt to correlate the stratigraphic sequence in the middle Benue basin with those of the anambra and upper Benue basins. Earth Evo Sci 2:139–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Kogbe CA (1989) Palaeogeographic history of Nigeria from albian times. In: Kogbe CA (ed) Geology of Nigeria. Elizabethan Publ.Co, Lagos, pp 257–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladipo KO (1986) Tidal shelf depositional model for the ajali sandstone, anambra basin, southeastern Nigeria. J Afr Earth Sci 5:177–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Marzolff I, Poesen J (2009) The potential of 3D gully monitoring with GIS using high-resolution aerial photography and a digital photogrammetry system. Geomorphology 111:48–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsushi Y, Matsukura Y (2007) Rainfall thresholds for shallow landsliding derived from pressure-head monitoring: cases with permeable and impermeable bedrocks in Boso Peninsula, Japan. Earth Surf Proc Land 32:1308–1322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mejia-Navarro M, Wohl EE, Oaks SD (1994) Geological hazards, vulnerability and risk assessment using GIS: model for Glenwood springs, Colorado. Geomorphology 10:331–354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oguchi T (1996) Factors affecting the magnitude of post-glacial hillslope incision in Japanese mountains. Catena 26:171–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oguchi T, Saito K, Kadomura H, Grossman M (2001a) Fluvial geomorphology and paleohydrology in Japan. Geomorphology 39:3–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oguchi T, Tanaka Y, Kim T, Lin Z (2001b) Large-scale landforms and hillslope processes in Japan and Korea. Trans Jpn Geomorphol 22:321–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Okimura T, Kawatani T (1987) Mapping of the potential surface-failure sites on granite slopes. In: Gardiner E (ed) International geomorphology 1986, part I. Wiley, Chichester, pp 121–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Olabode SO (2014) Soft sediment deformation structures in the maastrichtian ajali formation western flank of anambra basin, Southern Nigeria. J Afr Earth Sci 89:16–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pirasteh S, Pradhan B, Safari HO, Ramli MF (2013) Coupling of DEM and remote-sensing-based approaches for semi-automated detection of regional geostructural features in Zagros mountain. Iran Arab J Geosci 6:91–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pradhan B, Youssef AM (2009) Manifestation of remote sensing data and GIS on landslide hazard analysis using spatial-based statistical models. Arab J Geosci 3:319–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prasannakumar V, Vijith H, Geetha N (2013) Terrain evaluation through the assessment of geomorphometric parameters using DEM and GIS: case study of two major sub-watersheds in Attapady, South India. Arab J Geosci 6:1141–1151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao VR, Kumaran KPN (1981) Early angiosperm remains from the ajali sandstone, southeastern Nigeria. J Min Geol 18:172–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Reyment RA (1965) Aspects of the geology of Nigeria: the stratigraphy of the cretaceous and cenozoic deposits. Ibadan University Press, 145p

  • Saito H, Nakayama D, Matsuyama H (2010) Relationship between the initiation of a shallow landslide and rainfall intensity—duration thresholds in Japan. Geomorphology 118:167–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sassa K (1988) Geotechnical model for the motion of landslides. In: Proc. 5th International Symposium on Landslides, “Landslides”, Balkema, Rotterdam, vol. 1. pp 37–56

  • Sassa K, Takei A, Kobashi S (1980) Landslides triggered by vertical subsidences. In: Proc. International symposium on landslides. New Delhi, 7–11 April 1980, 1:49–54

  • Sassa K, Wang G, Fukuoka H (2003) Performing undrained shear tests on saturated sands in a new intelligent-type of ring shear apparatus. Geotech Test J 26(3):257–265

    Google Scholar 

  • Sassa K, Wang G, Fukuoka H, Wang FW, Ochiai T, Sekiguchi T (2004) Landslide risk evaluation and hazard mapping for rapid and long-travel landslides in urban development areas. Landslides 1:221–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz WH (2007) Landslide susceptibility revealed by LIDAR imagery and historical records, Seattle, Washington. Eng Geol 89:67–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwab M, Rieke-Zapp D, Liniger M, Schlunegger F (2008) Landsliding and sediment flux in the Central Swiss Alps: a photogrammetric study of the Schimbrig landslide, Entlebuch. Geomorphology 97:392–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selby MJ (1993) Hillslope materials and processes, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New York, p 451

    Google Scholar 

  • Tijani MN, Nton ME (2009) Hydraulic, textural and geochemical characteristics of the ajali formation, anambra basin, Nigeria: implication for groundwater quality. Environ Geol 56:935–951

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai TL, Chen HF (2010) Effects of degree of saturation on shallow landslides triggered by rainfall. Environ Earth Sci 59:1285–1295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai TL, Wang JK (2011) Examination of influences of rainfall patterns on shallow landslides due to dissipation of matric suction. Environ Earth Sci 63:65–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Udo RK (1970) Geographical regions of Nigeria. Heinemann, London, p 212

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieczorek GF (1984) Preparing a detailed landslide-inventory map for hazard evaluation and reduction. Bull Assoc Eng Geol 21:337–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright JB (1968) South Atlantic continental drift and the Benue trough. Tectonophysics 6:301–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yalcin A, Bulut F (2007) Landslide susceptibility mapping using GIS and digital photogrammetric techniques: a case study from Ardesen (NE-Turkey). Nat Hazards 41:201–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang LL, Zhang LM, Tang WH (2005) Rainfall-induced slope failure considering variability of soil properties. Geotechnique 55:183–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The research was part of the World Centre of Excellence on Landslide Project approved for the Department of Geology, University of Nigeria by the International Program on landslides under the directorship of Professor Kyoji Sassa. We are indeed grateful to Professor Hiroshi Fukuoka of Niigata University for taking the pains to come for the field investigations and human capacity development programs.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Ogbonnaya Igwe

Authors
  1. Ogbonnaya Igwe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ogbonnaya Igwe.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Igwe, O. The study of the factors controlling rainfall-induced landslides at a failure-prone catchment area in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria using remote sensing data. Landslides 12, 1023–1033 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-015-0627-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-015-0627-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation