The recent deteriorating nature of the Mile 11 hills has made the area a potential geo-hazard zone given the extent of human activities and the level of excavations on-going. The study sought to investigate the extent of landscape change and possible geological hazards between 1986 and 2016. It adopted the exploratory sequential design and the mixed research methodology. The study used spatial cartographic tools (GIS and Remote Sensing) to examine the extent of landscape change as well as interviewed 32 participants (residents and experts) for the qualitative analysis through the purposive sampling method.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Methodology
3. Results and Discussion
3.1 Dynamics of landscape change from 1986 to 2016
3.2 Geomorphic Change Analysis between 1986 and 2016
3.3 Elevation change projection for 2026
3.4 Implication of elevation change and projection on geo-hazards
3.5 Possible geological hazards triggered by landscape change
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Focus
The research investigates the evolution of the landscape in the Ga South Municipality, Ghana, between 1986 and 2016, and evaluates the potential geological hazards resulting from anthropogenic activities such as urban expansion, sand mining, and quarrying. The primary objective is to assess the extent of geomorphic change and determine the risk levels for residents in the catchment area to inform better urban planning and hazard mitigation strategies.
- Analysis of spatiotemporal landscape dynamics using GIS and Remote Sensing.
- Assessment of elevation changes and projections for the year 2026.
- Evaluation of human-induced geomorphic degradation and deposition patterns.
- Investigation of geological hazard risks, including earth tremors, flooding, and mudflows.
- Integration of expert knowledge and resident experiences regarding local environmental threats.
Excerpt from the Book
Possible geological hazards triggered by landscape change
Some of the possible geological hazard stated by the participants to be likely to hit the area included mud flow, massive erosion, flooding, earth quake, landslide, rock fall among others. This objective was achieve through rigorous focus group discussion (FGD) with residents and traditional Authorities in the area, as well as environmental and geological experts including officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ga South Municipal Assembly, Ghana Meteorological Agency and the Ghana Geological Survey Authority. Some of the possible geological hazard stated by the respondents to be likely to occur in the area included mud flow, massive erosion, flooding, and earthquake, among others. These views are captured in the expressions shared by some respondents as follows;
Earth tremor seemed not new to most residents in the area. Vibrations within the earth crust was confirmed to be occurring quiet frequent in recent times. Testimonies from residents and experts revealed the fact that the area was not far from a possible earth quake in the coming days. In an interaction with an official from the EPA it was revealed that the area had experience several earth tremors between December, 2018 and March, 2019.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter outlines the relationship between landscape dynamics and human activities, establishing the context of urban growth in Ghana and the emerging environmental challenges in the Mile 11 catchment.
Methodology: The chapter details the exploratory sequential design, including the use of 10m Digital Elevation Models (DEM), GIS spatial analysis, and qualitative interviews with residents and experts to study the Ga South municipality.
Results and Discussion: This section presents the empirical findings regarding landscape evolution, showing that 56.11% of the area underwent degradation due to human activity, and discusses the implications for future geological hazards.
Conclusion: The chapter summarizes the link between anthropogenic activities and hazard risk, calling for radical steps in relocation and the implementation of a national urban development policy to ensure sustainability.
Keywords
Evolution, landscape, geological hazards, GIS, Remote sensing, Ga South Municipality, anthropogenic change, geomorphic degradation, urbanisation, sand winning, quarrying, earth tremor, soil erosion, land use, sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on the impact of human-induced landscape changes on the geological stability of the Ga South Municipality, specifically analyzing the risks posed by ongoing urbanization and resource extraction.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include geomorphic change analysis, the correlation between human activity and landscape degradation, and the identification of potential geological hazards such as flooding, mudflows, and earth tremors.
What is the main research objective?
The main objective is to determine the extent of land surface alteration between 1986 and 2016 and to estimate future geological risks for the local population to support better disaster management.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The study employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative spatial cartographic tools like GIS and Remote Sensing with qualitative methods, including focus group discussions and interviews with residents and technical experts.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main body treats the dynamics of landscape change, the quantitative analysis of elevation shifts, projections for future land stability, and the qualitative assessment of perceived geological hazards by local community members.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as landscape evolution, geological hazards, GIS, Remote sensing, and anthropogenic change, reflecting the intersection of geography, environmental science, and urban planning.
How does quarrying influence local geological stability?
Quarrying contributes to geological instability by weakening particle bonding in rocks, increasing slope steepness, and expanding fault lines, which significantly heightens the risk of rock falls and earth tremors.
What did the 2026 projection reveal regarding flood risk?
The projection indicates that over 72% of the total land area will be below 200 feet by 2026, implying a substantially increased proneness to flooding from heavy rainfall and surface runoff.
Why do residents often overlook the intensity of elevation dynamics?
Residents often perceive the ongoing changes as insignificant because the majority of the land degradation falls within the "low degradation" classification category, masking the cumulative impact of the geological changes.
- Quote paper
- Ezekiel Otoo (Author), 2020, The Evolution of Geomorphic Landscapes, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1021430
