Geospatial assessment of landslide susceptibility in Astor District, Northern Pakistan

Northern Pakistan is a rough, mountainous region with high gradients, disintegrated lithology, glaciers on the highest peaks, and a seismically active area. District Astor is among the most susceptible locations, with yearly landslides due to various causes. This research has developed a comprehensive landslide inventory and a susceptibility model for the chosen region. Frequency Ratio is the most generally utilized probabilistic method; a moderately Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The Frequency Ratio (FR) model technique has been used to ascertain the connection between both variables that cause landslides and landslides that have been mapped. A persistent Scattered Interferometry Radar (InSAR) technique was employed to investigate deformation movement in the vulnerable zones of the extracted models, finding a high Line-of-Sight (LOS) displacement velocity in both models' extremely sensitive areas. The derived Landslide Susceptibility Index (LSI) models had a prediction accuracy of 84.4% and 78.0% for the FR and AHP methods, respectively, calculated by applying the Area Under Curve (AUC) derived from the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) approach. Finally, five susceptibility classes were assigned to both Landslide hazard index maps. Because the research region is prone to landslides, these susceptible models will be useful in delineating hazardous zones for future landslide catastrophes and utilized in decision-makers' planning strategies for Development initiatives in the studied region.