Landslides in a changing tropical environment: the North Tanganyika–Kivu rift region, Africa

• DOI: 10.5194/icg2022-164
• Publication Date: 2022-06-20T13:56:23Z
• Authors: Olivier Dewitte; Arthur Depicker; Jean-Claude Maki ...; Charles Bielders; Axel Deijns; Stijn Dewaele; Gerard Govers; Liesbet Jacobs; Violet Kanyiginya; François Kervyn; Matthieu Kervyn; Désiré Kubwimana; Toussaint Mugaruk...; Charles Nzolang; Pascal Sibomana; Ronald Twongyirwe; Matthias Vanmaercke; Antoine Dille
• Keywords: Land Cover

<p>Tropical mountainous regions are commonly identified as landslide hotspots with particularly vulnerable populations. Anthropogenic factors assumed to play a role in the occurrence and impact of landslides these populated regions, yet relative importance human-induced remains poorly documented. In this work, we explore forest cover dynamics, agricultural land management practices, urbanisation, roads, mining/quarrying activities on their associated risk North Tanganyika–Kivu Rift, an area that stretches at border four countries Africa. Using holistic approach combines extensive fieldwork, optical SAR/InSAR satellite remote sensing, time-series analysis, UAS image acquisition, historical photograph processing, citizen science geomorphic marker understanding, our study demonstrates human frequency, size deformation patterns region, both rural urban environments. The interaction between uplift continental rifting fluvial incision, (human-induced) also key elements considered analysis. Overall, highlight need consider context when studying hillslope instabilities under anthropogenic pressure.</p><div></div>