Assessment of Geomorphological Landforms Effects on the Passive Defense in Zahedan County Using Multi-Criteria Analysis Method

One of the most important and vital defensive strategies is the use of passive defense. The most important principle of passive defense is location, and if location is done correctly and systematically, based on the appropriate use of natural features and landforms, it reduces the implementation costs of other principles and increases their effectiveness, and it takes precedence over other principles. Location is the selection of the best and most desirable location and location, so as to best enable the concealment and concealment of human resources, equipment, and activities. In other words, it means considering all geographical factors to find the right place to carry out a specific activity. In order to carry out effective passive defense measures, geomorphological factors have a very important effect and role in locating locations to deal with any human (military) threats.

Experiences from past wars have shown that geomorphology plays an important role in implementing offensive and defensive plans, selecting deployment areas, dispersal, and readiness points. Therefore, geomorphological factors play an important role in adopting efficient measures for passive defense. The strategic situation of the country is threatened by natural disasters and emergencies such as war.

In this study, with the aim of investigating and identifying geomorphological factors affecting passive defense in Zahedan city, a variety of data and information were used, including: topographic maps, geological maps, digital elevation model with a resolution of 12.5 meters, LANDSAT images, Google Earth images, and field visits. This study was conducted analytically and descriptively, and AHP and ANP models and Expert Choice & ArcGIS software were used.

According to the results obtained through the network analysis method, the areas that are completely suitable for passive defense are located in the west, center and south of Zahedan city. These suitable areas obtained according to these areas have a suitable height and less than 1000 meters, a slope of less than 10 percent, a northward direction, a suitable distance from the river, a suitable distance from the fault, etc. There are also completely unsuitable areas in the north of the region and some other areas. The northern areas are in an unsuitable condition according to some factors including plains and mountains, geology, altitude, slope, etc. Also, according to the general results of the entire area, which has an area of 30715 square kilometers, 7565 square kilometers are in an unsuitable condition. Also, 3800 square kilometers are in a relatively suitable condition, 10010 square kilometers are in an average class. The suitable and relatively suitable class also has an area of 9340 square kilometers. As is clear, most of the areas are in an average condition. The unsuitable areas are located in the center and north of the area.

According to the results of the hierarchical analysis method, the western and eastern regions are in a suitable condition, as shown in Figure 2 and the elevation map, these regions have a suitable height in terms of passive defense. They also have a suitable condition in terms of many other factors such as precipitation, soil, floodplains, etc., which has caused these regions to have a suitable condition in terms of passive defense in the final output. Also, in the results, the unsuitable areas cover a large area of the northern and central regions of the city, and the unsuitability of these areas is also consistent with many other indicators and criteria. Also, according to these results, as is clear, 1233 square kilometers are in an unsuitable condition. Also, 5489 hectares are in a relatively suitable condition, 14250 square kilometers are in the average class. The suitable and relatively suitable classes also have an area of 9743 square kilometers. As is clear, most of the regions are in an average condition.

One of the major issues that countries have faced from the past to the present and have used all their strength to maintain and establish it has been defense and security within their country in the face of foreign invasion. Borders determine the external territory of a country and include natural and human factors. Borders, both natural and human, play a significant role in establishing security and defense within a country. If we consider the long borders and having many neighbors as an effective factor in creating a crisis in a country, we can consider Iran, with its long borders, high morphological diversity, and the largest number of neighbors in the world, as a crisis-causing country both in the past and in the future. Among the various natural factors that cause security and defense in countries, geomorphological factors can be mentioned.

In this study, 15 indicators were used, including altitude, slope, slope direction, distance from watercourse, distance from floodplain, distance from road, distance from fault, soil, land use, geology, temperature, precipitation, topographic condition (plain and mountain), distance from settlement centers, and distance from alluvial fan. The results of this analysis from the perspective of passive defense showed that areas with suitable altitudes for passive defense, which are below 1000 meters, are located in the east and west of the study area. Slopes between 0 and 10 percent, which are suitable for passive defense and do not cause problems, cover most of the surface of Zahedan city. The north direction is the most suitable direction and the south direction is the most unsuitable direction in terms of passive defense. According to the results of the analytic hierarchy process, the west and east regions have a suitable situation, these areas have a suitable altitude in terms of passive defense. It is also in a suitable condition in terms of many other factors such as rainfall, soil, floodplains, etc., which has caused these areas to have a suitable condition in terms of passive defense in the final output. According to the results of the analytic hierarchy process, unsuitable areas cover a large area of the northern and central regions of the city, and the unsuitability of these areas is also consistent with many other indicators and criteria.