Aishatu MUBI, Modibbo Adama University Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria
Jonah KEFAS, Modibbo Adama University Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria
Abdullahi TUKUR, Modibbo Adama University Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria
In this study, an assessment of land vulnerability to mass wasting and the spatial distribution of its associated features on the plateau using a multi-criteria based approach was conducted. The objectives were to map out areas prone to mass wasting and assess their levels of vulnerability based on observable causal factors; as well as to examine the spatial distribution of the predominant resulting features on the plateau. The roles of geology and relief Chen, Pourghasemi, Kornejady, and Xie, (2018); rainfall Zine (2011); drainage density Akgun, Dag, and Bulut (2008); Ali, Schneiderwind, and Reicherter (2017)) in creating conducive environment for mass wasting occurrence have great significance. From processed Remotely Sensed (Landsat 8, SRTM, DEM) land use/land cover, slope gradient, aspect and drainage data were developed, a GIS- based Saaty’s Analytical Hierarchical Process [AHP] model was applied and Mass Wasting vulnerability map was generated while, the spatial distribution map of the identified associated features was prepared complemented by extensive field survey and Google Earth Image interpretation procedures. Four mass wasting vulnerability classes: least, moderately, highly and most vulnerable areas were identified. A total of 309 mass wasting sites categorized into six feature class rock falls, compound slides, rotational slides, transitional slides, debris flow/slide and earth flow were mapped out. Results revealed areal coverage of 74km2, 2,432Km2, 2,065 Km2 and 40Km2 as the most vulnerable, highly vulnerable, moderately and least vulnerable areas on the plateau. Also, the study established a high level of consistency between mass wasting vulnerability and features distribution maps. Land slide was identified as the most dominant type of mass wasting on the Plateau. Slope gradient, vegetation cover, rainfall and land uses in order of weights and ranks are the significant mass wasting causal factors on the plateau.
Mots clés : AHP|Landslide|Mass wasting|Mambilla plateau|Vulnerability
A103472AM