Geological Exploration, Landslide Characterization and Susceptibility Mapping at the Boundary between Two Crystalline Bodies in Jajarkot, Nepal

Abstract

The geology of the Himalayas is intricated and intriguing. It features numerous tectonic bodies and structures too complex to interpret. Along with such mysteries it has too many common geohazards, such as landslides. In this study, a detailed geological investigation is carried out to overcome the discrepancies in structural interpretation, the nature of two crystalline bodies, and non-uniformity in geological mapping in the central Himalayan arc, in the Jajarkot district of Nepal. Along with the geological exploration and landslide characterization of the area, consequent landslide susceptibility mapping is performed considering 13 causative factors related to geology, topography, land use, hydrology, and the anthropogenic factor, using two bivariate statistical models. This study concludes that the two metamorphic crystalline bodies in the study area are most probably the klippen, due to the absence or erosion of the root zone. The field study revealed that haphazard road excavation without the consideration of geological and geotechnical features has caused shallow landslides. The results obtained from the susceptibility maps, with a varying range of susceptibility zones, are in good agreement with the spatial distribution of pre-historic landslides. The results of the susceptibility modeling are validated by calculating landslide density and plotting area under curves (AUC). The AUC value for the WOE, and the FR method, revealed an overall success rate of 79.42% and 77.62%, respectively.