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Assessing landslide volume using two generic models: application to landslides in Whatcom County, Washington, USA

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Abstract

Geomorphological analysis of landslide processes in mountainous terrains with difficult access has benefited from virtual representation of topography through the use of high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) generated by use of light detecting and ranging. Generic models of overlay and interpolation take advantage of the high-resolution DEMs for volume calculation. However, the advantages and limitations of the models at regional scale have received scant attention. These challenges are magnified in landslide hazard zonation mapping projects at state or national level, where the models need to be implemented for large datasets. To address the above deficiency, this paper presents a means to estimate landslide volume production and distribution by taking full advantage of LiDAR and to standardize landslide volume calculation in a geographic information system (GIS). We implemented two generic landslide volume models by using Python scripts; this is a systematic methodology for modeling volume of shallow and deep-seated landslides. The models were tested in real and theoretical conditions to highlight advantages and limitations. At the same time, we explored how the interpolation model is affected by local altimetric variation. The results show that one of the models can be used to make first-order interpretations regarding volume of eroded debris for landslide deposits at a local or national scale, while the other can help to assess the sequence of landslide activity. Theoretical evaluations show that local altimetric variation of < 1 m could lead to errors of almost 17%. The approach is explored with examples from Sumas Mountain in Whatcom County, Washington, USA.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the authorities from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Washington Geological Survey and the Institute of Geography, UNAM for their approval and help. We gratefully acknowledge MSc Claudia Lara Pérez-Soto for helpful discussions and her statistical support.

Funding

This sabbatical research was supported by the Programa de Apoyos para la Superación del Personal Académico de la UNAM (PASPA) de la Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico (DGAPA), UNAM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacan 04510, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico

    Gabriel Legorreta Paulin

  2. Department of Natural Resources, Washington Geological Survey, Washington State, Olympia, WA, USA

    Katherine A. Mickelson, Trevor A. Contreras, William Gallin & Kara E. Jacobacci

  3. Center for Geohazards Studies, University at Buffalo, SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA

    Marcus Bursik

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  1. Gabriel Legorreta Paulin
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  2. Katherine A. Mickelson
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  3. Trevor A. Contreras
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  4. William Gallin
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  5. Kara E. Jacobacci
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  6. Marcus Bursik
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Correspondence to Gabriel Legorreta Paulin.

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Paulin, G.L., Mickelson, K.A., Contreras, T.A. et al. Assessing landslide volume using two generic models: application to landslides in Whatcom County, Washington, USA. Landslides 19, 901–912 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-021-01825-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-021-01825-z

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