Land surface change detection in Nagasaki and Kangnung using multi-temporal Landsat data

Land cover change has been recognized as one of the most important factors influencing the occurrence of rainfall-triggered landslides. Satellite remote sensing provides detailed information regarding the spatial distribution and extent of land cover/use changes. This study describes the land cover changes in Nagasaki City, Japan and Kangnung City, South Korea. The former has been suffered from rainfall-triggered disasters for long term and latter was damaged by Typhoon Rusa in 2002. The results obtained from both study areas clearly show that land cover changes have occurred in the last decade as a result of both natural forces and human activities.