Slope Failure Characteristics and Slope Movement Susceptibility Assessment Using GIS in a Medium Scale: A Case Study from Ouled Driss and Machroha Municipalities, Northeast Algeria

GIS-based slope movement susceptibility (SMS) map is developed for both the Ouled Driss and Machroha districts of northeastern Algeria, using the logistic regression technique. Slope movement (SM) locations were spotted using the data from various sources. An inventory map containing 489 events occurred between 1987 and 2013 was used to extract the dependent variable. SM-related factors such as slope gradient, slope aspect, topographical elevations, lithology, faulting, drainage system, road network, land use, precipitations, and seismic disturbances were considered as independent variables. The effect of each parameter on SM occurrence was deduced from the corresponding coefficient that appeared in the logistic regression function. The results of this study indicated that slope gradient, lithology, and precipitations were statistically significant in predicting slope instability. The susceptibility map produced in this paper classified the study area into five categories of SMS. The high and very high susceptibility zones made up 38% of the total extent of the two commons and involved mid-altitude slopes in their central, eastern, and southern parts. The quality of the SMS map was validated, and it can be used for planning protective and mitigation measures.