Generally, soil characteristics have a significant influence on landslide occurrence. This issue has, howe..."> Generally, soil characteristics have a significant influence on landslide occurrence. This issue has, howe..."/>
Image of Implications of Soil Properties on Landslide Occurrence in Kigezi Highlands of South Western Uganda
Bookmark Share

Implications of Soil Properties on Landslide Occurrence in Kigezi Highlands of South Western Uganda

Generally, soil characteristics have a significant influence on landslide occurrence. This issue has, however, not yet been adequately analysed in Kigezi highlands of South Western Uganda. In this study, soil properties such as dispersion, grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, shear strength and clay mineralogy were analysed to establish their contribution to the spatial distribution of landslides in Kigezi highlands. The results demonstrate that deep soil profiles ranging between 2.5 and 7 meters were dominated by clay-pans at a depth between 0.75 and 3 meters. Although the uppermost surface horizons of the soil profile are loamy sand, the clay content is more than 35% especially in the sub soil. This suggests that the soil materials are Vertic in nature. In addition, the upper soil layers predominantly contain quartz, while subsurface horizons have considerable amounts of illite as the dominant clay minerals, ranging from 43-47%. The average liquid limit and plasticity index was 58.43% and 33.3% respectively. Besides, high average computed weighted plasticity index (28.4%) and expansiveness (38.6%) were obtained. These soil characteristics have great implication on the timing and nature of landslide processes in the study area. A change in soil material due to varying moisture content is thought to be a major trigger of landslides in Kigezi highlands of South Western Uganda. This understanding of soil characteristics is a key step in mitigating landslide hazards in the area.

Availability

No copy data

Detail Information
Series Title
-
Call Number
-
Publisher
: IntechOpen,.,
Collation
-
Language
English
ISBN/ISSN
978-1-83969-023-5
Classification
-
Content Type
-
Media Type
-
Carrier Type
-
Edition
-
Subject(s)
Landslides
Specific Detail Info
-
Statement of Responsibility
Other version/related

No other version available

File Attachment
No Data
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment