Spatial distribution and geometric characteristics of landslides with special reference to geological units in the area of Slavonski Brod, Croatia

Abstract

A preliminary analysis of landslide spatial distribution and their geometric characteristics is presented for the area of Slavonski Brod, located in the northeastern part of Croatia and belonging to the Pannonian Basin System. A landslide inventory for the study area of 55.1 km2 is accomplished for the first time, based on the visual interpretation of a high resolution LiDAR digital terrain model. In total, 854 landslide polygons are delineated, corresponding to an average density of 15.5 landslides per square kilometre. The average landslide area is 839 m2, and most of the landslides can be classified as small landslides (76 %). The spatial relationship between landslides and geological units is analysed and expressed as a landslide index. The Late Pannonian sands with silts and gravel interlayers and Pliocene clay, sands, gravels, and coal are determined as the units that are most susceptible to landslide processes. The majority of landslides (85 %) are concentrated within these two units, for which a detailed analysis is performed, determining the morphometric parameters (slope and relief) and drainage network. The parameters’ classes that create favourable preconditions to slope instabilities are defined, based on the landslide density within individual classes. Besides, the geometric characteristics of landslides (size and shape) within these two units are compared. The results serve as the basis for further investigations. They help to foresee the area of future landslides through landslide susceptibility maps, and offer a better understanding of the influence of fluvial-denudation and slope processes on recent landscape evolution and form.