The effect of the sampling strategies on the landslide susceptibility mapping by conditional probability and artificial neural networks

This study presented herein compares the effect of the sampling strategies by means of landslide inventory on the landslide susceptibility mapping. The conditional probability (CP) and artificial neural networks (ANN) models were applied in Sebinkarahisar (Giresun–Turkey). Digital elevation model was first constructed using a geographical information system software and parameter maps affecting the slope stability such as geology, faults, drainage system, topographical elevation, slope angle, slope aspect, topographic wetness index, stream power index and normalized difference vegetation index were considered. In the last stage of the analyses, landslide susceptibility maps were produced applying different sampling strategies such as; scarp, seed cell and point. The maps elaborated were then compared by means of their validations. Scarp sampling strategy gave the best results than the point, whereas the scarp and seed cell methods can be evaluated relatively similar. Comparison of the landslide susceptibility maps with known landslide locations indicated that the higher accuracy was obtained for ANN model using the scarp sampling strategy. The results obtained in this study also showed that the CP model can be used as a simple tool in assessment of the landslide susceptibility, because input process, calculations and output process are very simple and can be readily understood.     

Monitoring of protected bands of Terkos drinking water reservoir of metropolitan Istanbul near the Black Sea coast using satellite data

In this study, remote sensing (RS) with computer-based geographic information systems (GIS) techniques are used as a tool for monitoring the water basin area and water quality in Istanbul's relatively less polluted and comparatively less destroyed catchment of the metropolis drinking water dam reservoir named Terkos. It is necessary to work with recent data to be able to identify the effects of urbanization on the water quality of the Terkos dam catchment area that supplies drinking water to the metropolis. RS is an important tool to monitor water quality and urban terrain. For this aim, a project has been initiated at the Technical University Remote Sensing Laboratory, under the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (ISKI) sponsorship in Istanbul. The project uses SPOT-PAN, XS and IRS-1C/D PAN and satellite data of 1993 and 2000 for urban analysis and Landsat-TM and LISS-III satellite data of 1992 and 2000 for water quality. For calibration and validation, ground truth samples are collected from the experimental area. The RS data was converted into the UTM coordinate system and image enhancement and classification techniques are used. Raster data is converted to vector data to assess the study area for analyzing in GIS for the purpose of planning and decision-making on protected water basin zones. As a result of monitoring land use and water quality changes, recommendations are made for planning and management of the protected environment of the Terkos catchment protected area. Measuring land use change is a very important issue for controlling the future development of the basin, GIS techniques are performed and results are illustrated in established models on the four protected zones of Terkos water basin.     

Fourier analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variables,XX

In the present paper _n ⁰ , for occulation and transit eclipses of partial phases, are evaluated numerically by means of the Runge-Kutta methods. Section 2 contains the required differential equations of _n ⁰ with respect to the modulusX orC, and Section 3 includes the numerical method of the solutions of these differential equations. Theoretical values of ₀ ⁰ and ₁ ⁰ , with corresponding values ofC, are also added in this section.     

Liquefaction-induced ground deformations at Hotel Sapanca during Kocaeli (Izmit),Turkey earthquake

This paper presents a study of liquefaction-induced ground deformations at the Hotel Sapanca site during the 1999 Kocaeli (Izmit)—Turkey earthquake. The paper discusses: (1) observed ground deformations and displacements after the earthquake, (2) the results of field investigations by means of borings and in situ index tests including standard penetration tests (SPT), static cone penetration tests (CPT) and piezocone (CPTU) tests, (3) analyses of observed ground settlements and lateral deformations by a suite of methods, and (4) comparisons of observed and calculated ground movements.     

Geotechnical evaluation of Miocene gypsum from Sivas (Turkey)

Gypsum is widely distributed in Sivas (Turkey), occurring chiefly in the formations of Miocene age. The gypsum is generally of the alabastrine type with a little of the porphiroblast type and contains traces of clay minerals, anhydrite and calcite. It is a moderately strong rock in terms of its unconfined compressive strength which is related to the crystal size. Strength increases as the crystal size decreases. The strength of gypsum was reduced by approximately 55%, when the samples were kept in the water for 20 days. Most samples exhibit plastic–elastic–plastic deformation. The gypsum has a high modulus ratio, and is a moderately deformable rock. High lateral deformations and low vertical deformations are observed under the vertical stress conditions in accordance with the relationship between modulus ratio and strain.     

Validation of a TRMM-based global Flood Detection System in Bangladesh

Although the TRMM-based Flood Detection System (FDS) has been in operation in near real-time since 2006, the flood ‘detection’ capability has been validated mostly against qualitative reports in news papers and other types of media. In this study, a more quantitative validation of the FDS over Bangladesh against in situ measurements is presented. Using measured stream flow and rainfall data, the study analyzed the flood detection capability from space for three very distinct river systems in Bangladesh: (1) Ganges– a snowmelt-fed river regulated by upstream India, (2) Brahmaputra – a snow-fed river that is braided, and (3) Meghna – a rain-fed and relatively flashier river. The quantitative assessment showed that the effectiveness of the TRMM-based FDS can vary as a function of season and drainage basin characteristics. Overall, the study showed that the TRMM-based FDS has great potential for flood prone countries like Bangladesh that are faced with tremendous hurdles in transboundary flood management. The system had a high probability of detection overall, but produced increased false alarms during the monsoon period and in regulated basins (Ganges), undermining the credibility of the FDS flood warnings for these situations. For this reason, FDS users are cautioned to verify FDS estimates during the monsoon period and for regulated rivers before implementing flood management practices. Planned improvements by FDS developers involving physically-based hydrologic modeling should transform the system into a more accurate tool for near real-time decision making on flood management for ungauged river basins of the world.     

Application of multivariate statistical techniques in the assessment of water quality in Sakarya River,Turkey

In this paper, the surface water quality of the Sakarya River in Turkey is assessed by using multivariate statistical techniques. These techniques were applied to the chemical parameters obtained from the five different surface water quality observation stations. Factor and principal component analysis results reveal that the agricultural, anthropogenic and domestic pollution caused differences in terms of water quality. Cluster analysis revealed two different clusters of similarities between the stations, reflecting different chemical properties and pollution levels in the studied river. Surface water quality downstream of the river was different from the water quality upstream. Thus, this study shows the usefulness of multivariate statistical techniques for analysis and interpretation in the surface water quality problem.