Assessment of geological hazards using Landsat 5 satellite images in the district of Chilete, Cajamarca

Abstract

The geomorphological and geological complexity of the district of Chilete, located in the province of Contumazá, Cajamarca region, is evident through fundamental conditioning and triggering factors for the identification, analysis, and assessment of geological hazards. These factors are intricately linked to lithostratigraphic sequences of the lower and upper Cretaceous from the Goyllarisquizga Group, encompassing the Chimú, Santa, Carhuaz, and Farrat Formations, as well as the Inca Formation and the Puylluicana Group with its Chulec and Pariatambo Formations. These formations and sequences overlay volcaniclastic deposits of lavas, rhyolitic and andesitic tuffs from the Calipuy Group and are covered by colluvial-alluvial deposits, with sectors more vulnerable to the occurrence of hazards identified in these areas. The application of advanced techniques, such as Remote Sensing and Teledetection using Landsat 5 satellite imagery, has been crucial in determining areas susceptible to hazards through image processing, interpretation of contrasts, textures, and structural alignments using ENVI 5.3 software. This study, framed within a hypothetical-deductive and non-experimental design methodology, is expected to significantly contribute to the formulation of risk management policies at the local and regional levels, recognizing the importance of teledetection as a geoscientific tool.