Co-seismic Landslide Mapping Following the 2023 El Haouz Earthquake Using DInSAR and Optical Imagery (High Atlas, Morocco)
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1
Laboratory of Geosciences, Geomatics, and Environment (L2GE), Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University, P.O. Box 7955, Casablanca, Morocco.
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Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Al Hoceima, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, P.O. Box 34, Ajdir 32003 Al Hoceima, Morocco.
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Territory, Environment and Development Laboratory, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ibn Tofaïl University, P.O. Box 242, Kenitra, Morocco.
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Geosciences Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofaïl University, B.P. 133, 14000 Kenitra, Morocco.
Corresponding author
Labriki Allal
Laboratory of Geosciences, Geomatics, and Environment (L2GE), Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University, P.O. Box 7955, Casablanca, Morocco.
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ABSTRACT
The Mw 6.8 El Haouz earthquake of September 8, 2023, triggered extensive co-seismic mass movements in the Moroccan High Atlas. This study presents the first comprehensive inventory and spatial analysis of slope instabilities associated with this event. Using an integrated approach based on Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) and high-resolution optical imagery, we identified both low-displacement slope deformations and large-scale rockfalls throughout the affected region. Visual interpretation and mapping of displacement anomalies observed in the DInSAR data, supported by a high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM), enabled the identification of over 570 low-displacement slope movement events, including shallow landslides, slope deformations, debris flows, and gravitational failures affecting pop-up structures. These movements deviate from the dominant tectonic displacement pattern and reveal the presence of widespread shallow instabilities. In parallel, analysis of high-resolution optical imagery led to the mapping of 1,203 co-seismic rockfalls, with individual areas ranging from 113.54 m² to 1.62 km², covering a cumulative surface of 66.03 km². Spatial analysis indicates that the majority of these events occurred in areas characterized by intense ground motion and steep slopes. This study fills a critical knowledge gap by documenting the multiscale geomorphic impacts of co-seismic mass movements in the Atlas Mountains. The results underscore the value of combining radar and optical remote sensing for seismic hazard assessment and provide key inputs for regional risk mitigation and terrain stability analysis.