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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Statistical and Geomatic Approaches to Typological Characterization and Susceptibility Mapping of Mass Movements in Northwestern Morocco’s Alpine Zone

by
Mohamed Mastere
1,2,
Ayyoub Sbihi
1,*,
Anas El Ouali
1,
Sanae Bekkali
3,
Oussama Arab
1,
Danielle Nel Sanders
2,
Benyounes Taj
1,
Ibrahim Ouchen
1,
Noamen Rebai
4 and
Ali Bounab
5,6
1
Department of Geomorphology and Geomatics, Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Avenue Ibn Batouta, BP 703, Agdal, Rabat 10080, Morocco
2
School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy, College of Business & Economics, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
3
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University Abdelmalek Essaâdi, M’Hannech II, P.O. Box 2121, Tetouan 93030, Morocco
4
Geotechnical and Georisks Engineering Laboratory, National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT), University of Tunis El Manar, P.O. Box 37, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
5
Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation Laboratory, FP Khouribga, Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal, BP. 145, Khouribga 25000, Morocco
6
Superior School of Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Fkih Ben Salah, Morocco
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Geomatics 2025, 5(4), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics5040051
Submission received: 20 August 2025 / Revised: 29 September 2025 / Accepted: 1 October 2025 / Published: 3 October 2025
Versions Notes

Abstract

The Rif Mountains in northern Morocco are highly exposed to geohazards, particularly earthquakes and mass movements. In this context, the Zoumi region is most affected, showing various mass movement types involving both unconsolidated and solid materials. This study evaluates the region’s susceptibility to mass movements using logistic regression (LR), applied for the first time in this area. The model incorporates eight key predisposing factors known to influence mass movement: slope gradient, slope aspect, land use, drainage density, elevation, lithology, fracturing density, and earthquake isodepths. Historical mass movements were mapped using remote sensing and field surveys, and statistical analysis calculation was conducted to analyze their spatial correlation with these environmental conditioning factors. A mass movement susceptibility (MMS) map was produced, classifying the region into four susceptibility levels, ranging from low to very high. Landslides were the most frequent movement type (36%). The LR model showed strong predictive performance, with an AUC of 88%, confirming its robustness. The final map reveals that 42% of the Zoumi area falls within the high to very high susceptibility zones. These results highlight the importance of using advanced modeling approaches to support risk mitigation and land use planning in environmentally sensitive mountain regions.
Keywords: landslides; geomorphology; susceptibility; geomatics tools; logistic regression; Morocco landslides; geomorphology; susceptibility; geomatics tools; logistic regression; Morocco

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MDPI and ACS Style

Mastere, M.; Sbihi, A.; El Ouali, A.; Bekkali, S.; Arab, O.; Nel Sanders, D.; Taj, B.; Ouchen, I.; Rebai, N.; Bounab, A. Statistical and Geomatic Approaches to Typological Characterization and Susceptibility Mapping of Mass Movements in Northwestern Morocco’s Alpine Zone. Geomatics 2025, 5, 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics5040051

AMA Style

Mastere M, Sbihi A, El Ouali A, Bekkali S, Arab O, Nel Sanders D, Taj B, Ouchen I, Rebai N, Bounab A. Statistical and Geomatic Approaches to Typological Characterization and Susceptibility Mapping of Mass Movements in Northwestern Morocco’s Alpine Zone. Geomatics. 2025; 5(4):51. https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics5040051

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mastere, Mohamed, Ayyoub Sbihi, Anas El Ouali, Sanae Bekkali, Oussama Arab, Danielle Nel Sanders, Benyounes Taj, Ibrahim Ouchen, Noamen Rebai, and Ali Bounab. 2025. "Statistical and Geomatic Approaches to Typological Characterization and Susceptibility Mapping of Mass Movements in Northwestern Morocco’s Alpine Zone" Geomatics 5, no. 4: 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics5040051

APA Style

Mastere, M., Sbihi, A., El Ouali, A., Bekkali, S., Arab, O., Nel Sanders, D., Taj, B., Ouchen, I., Rebai, N., & Bounab, A. (2025). Statistical and Geomatic Approaches to Typological Characterization and Susceptibility Mapping of Mass Movements in Northwestern Morocco’s Alpine Zone. Geomatics, 5(4), 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics5040051

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