A Study of Disaster Prevention and Characteristics of Landslides Triggered by the 2019 Typhoon Mitag in Samcheok

Abstract

Close on the heels of the East Coast Forest Fires (ECFF) in April 2000, Samcheok in the region witnessed landslides in October 2019. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the association between forest fire and slope stability. Accordingly, survey plots were set up around the site of the landslide to investigate micro-topography, forest structure, and growth environment. The results revealed that B plots scored high on appearance and the density of trees, while A plots had high values on the H/D ratio. Further, it is important to control tree density in the restored forests because the H/D ratio, which induces slope stability, exceeds suitable values at both A and B plots, resulting in intense competition among the trees growing in the affected sites. The findings are useful for proposing a mountain management project to prevent sediment-related disasters. Moreover, they would aid in evaluating the root cohesion of trees contributing to slope stability on the east coast region of Gangwon-do, which is prone to disasters such as large-scale forest fires, heavy rains, and landslides.