An application on sinkhole susceptibility mapping by integrating remote sensing and geographic information systems

Karapınar, located in the middle of Konya Closed Basin in Turkey, is a district that is agriculturally and economically significant. The natural life and agricultural future of the district are threatened by the gradual reduction of underground water resources, application of intensive agricultural activities that are unable to account for climate characteristics, and climate change effects. When the geological structure of the district is added to all these parameters, environmental problems such as land subsidence and sinkhole formation occur in the district. This study presents the results of a research project evaluating sinkhole susceptibility using remote sensing and geographic information systems in the district of Karapınar in Konya, Turkey. In addition, the importance of adding deformation map that was produced using InSAR analyses as a factor in the sinkhole susceptibility mapping was emphasized. A sinkhole susceptibility map was produced to determine the potential sinkhole areas based on expert opinions by applying the analytical hierarchy process approach and considering a selection of 13 factors. The map produced was in high agreement with the recent sinkholes in the district. The results of this study showed that the analytical hierarchy process can be a useful approach for susceptibility assessments when data on the main controlling factors have sufficient accuracy and spatial coverage. In addition, the map presented apparent sinkhole susceptibility in the area in accordance with the selected parameters and informed decision makers regarding natural hazard risks in Karapınar.