Land subsidence susceptibility mapping using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Certain Factor (CF) models at Neyshabur plain, Iran
Mohsen Rezaei, Zahra Yazdani Noori, Majid Dashti Barmaki
Abstract
Some areas in Iran are affected by the consequences of subsidence. This study aimed to compare the performance of the Analytical Hierarchy Process and Certain Factor models in subsidence susceptibility mapping in the Neyshabur Aquifer. At first, 60% of subsidence areas were randomly selected for building subsidence susceptibility and the remaining 40% were used to validate the models. Maps of effective parameters on subsidence event such as hydraulic conductivity, specific yield, groundwater level drop, alluvium thickness, saturation thickness, the thickness of compressible clay layer, and recharge groundwater were prepared in the GIS environment. Maps were zoned into low, moderate, high, and very high susceptibility. The highest levels of subsidence occurred in the northern and northeastern regions. Results confirmed by validation methods, R-index and area under the curve methods. The CF model generated high accuracy and prediction rated (91.7 and 90.2%) than that of the AHP model (88.4 and 85%), respectively.