Soil moisture assessment in the alluvial basins associated with seismic activity of northwest Anatolia, Turkey, using Landsat TM/ETM satellite imagery

• Published in: Hydrological sciences journal Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 171 - 182
• Main Authors: Tuefekci, K, Akman, AUe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wallingford IAHS Press 01.02.2004
• Subjects: Applied geophysics; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Earthquakes, seismology; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Internal geophysics; Middle East; Turkey; Anatolia; Turkey, Anatolia; satellites; Thematic Mapper; soil moisture; Space remote sensing; Landsat; evapotranspiration; earthquakes; depressions; Asia; imagery; cooling; temperature; soils; evaporation; seasonal variations; seismicity
• ISSN: 0262-6667; 2150-3435
• DOI: 10.1623/hysj.49.1.171.53991

The aim of this study is to detect seasonal surface temperature changes and to estimate soil moisture conditions based on the evaporative cooling principle of damp ground in the alluvial basins of northwest Anatolia, Turkey, using Landsat TM/ETM data. According to analysis of satellite sensor data acquired on different dates, soil moisture is greatest in the spring season in the basins. Soil moisture decreases toward the summer and autumn. The 17 August 1999 earthquake occurred in the high surface temperature (low soil moisture) period, and the 12 November 1999 earthquake occurred in the low surface temperature (high soil moisture) period. It is possible to conclude that the urban-rural settlements and industrial developments on the loose deposits of the Adapazari, Izmit and Duezce depressions have been affected by the seasonal changes in the local ground conditions.Original Abstract: Le but de cette etude est d'etudier les changements saisonniers de la temperature de surface et d'obtenir des informations sur l'humidite du sol en s'appuyant sur le phenomene de refroidissement par evaporation de l'humidite du sol dans les bassins alluviaux du nord-ouest de l'Anatolie (Turquie), grace a des donnees Landsat TM/ETM. Selon l'analyse des donnees du capteur satellitaire acquises a differentes dates, l'humidite du sol est maximale au printemps. Elle decroit en ete et en automne. Le seisme du 17 Aout 1999 a eu lieu pendant la periode de forte temperature de surface (faible humidite du sol), tandis que le seisme du 12 Novembre 1999 a eu lieu pendant la periode de faible temperature de surface (forte humidite du sol). Il est possible de conclure que les implantations semi-urbaines et que les developpements industriels observes sur les depots sedimentaires des depressions de Adapazari, Izmit et Duezce ont ete affectes par les changements saisonniers des conditions locales du sol.