Macrozonation Methodology for Landslide Hazard Determination

This is a simple expert system designed to allow a fast, low cost “a priori” classification of landslide hazards in seismically active tropical areas. It has been created to guide decision making where further and more detailed geotechnical investigations should be performed. The input consists of 5 factors. A combination of three of them (slope, lithology and soil humidity) define the “intrinsic landslide susceptibility indicator.” Meanwhile, the “triggering indicator” results from a combination of rainfall and seismic intensity factors. This system provides a data framework which can be adapted to local and regional trends. The zonation serves as a guide in determining the general trend and spatial distribution of potentially unstable slopes.