MAT.TRIGRS (V1.0): A new open-source tool for predicting spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall-induced landslides

Abstract: In this work, a new TRIGRS (Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-Based Regional Slope-Stability) model based on Matlab® is proposed, named MAT.TRIGRS (V1.0), which can be applied to research of spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall-induced landslides. It is characterized by simple data processing, straightforward setting of script parameters, high computation efficiency and convenient operation. A test on the effectiveness of this tool is conducted using the data of the 2019 rainfall-induced landslide in the Shuicheng area, Guizhou Province, China. The data of drilling, terrain, hydrological and mechanical properties of the study area are prepared and converted into TIF grid files. Based on the MAT.TRIGRS model, variations of water head depth and slope instability with time are calculated. The results show that compared with TRIGRS version 2, MAT.TRIGRS is more convenient and friendly in data processing and operation. The comparative experiments prove that the computation efficiency of the new tool increases by 40%. It can be used to predict spatial-temporal distribution of rainfall-induced landslides and would aid in the design and implementation of the landslide early warning system (LEWS).