Landslide Susceptibility Assessment and Modeling Landslide Volumes Using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV): A Case Study in the Xopanac-Apitzato Basin on the Eastern Flank of Iztaccíhuatl Volcano, Puebla, Mexico

In volcanic mountain terrains, landslides are common and form a major natural hazard, posing risks to human settlements and economic activity. In Mexico, despite the importance of assessing such processes, there are few landslide inventory maps or landslide geo-datasets. Therefore, no practical and standardized methodology has developed to model landslide susceptibility and volume under a Geographic Information System (GIS), and by taking the advantage of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and their products (aerial photos, orthophotos, dispersed or dense point clouds, and Digital Elevation Models (DEM)). The present text provides an overview of an on-going research project at the Institute of Geography in the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) presented as an International Programme on Landslides (IPL) project proposal. The aim of this research is to conduct a landslide inventory, produce a landslide susceptibility map, and estimate volume production and distribution within the stream system of the Xopanac-Apitzato watershed. The landslide inventory will be conducted by following the landslide hazard zonation protocol of Washington State DNR. Landslide susceptibility will be conducted by using landforms units and Multiple Logistic Regression. To estimate landslide volume and distribution we will implement the development and adequation of two models by using python. The watershed is located on the eastern flank of Iztaccíhuatl volcano, the third highest mountain in Mexico. Anthropogenic factors such as land use changes and physiographic factors such as step hillslopes, volcano-tectonic earthquakes, high seasonal precipitation, and disaggregated material predispose the study area to experience episodic evacuation of material through landslide activity. Landslides are common along the stream system, and these slope failures create a potentially hazardous situation for people and property down the valley. In spite of this, there are no landslide inventory maps, and this precludes the mapping of landslide susceptibility and volume. The methodology of the present research encompasses three main levels of analysis. The technique and its implementation in a GIS-based technology is herein presented and discussed. The implementation of the technique yields information essential for policy makers here and in other areas of Mexico.