Application of GIS in determining the endangerment by the process of soil sliding on the example of the municipality of Grocka

This paper presents the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for assessing terrain predisposition to landslide occurrence in the municipality of Grocka. A 25 m resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM), obtained from the USGS EarthExplorer platform, was used as the primary spatial input. Based on the DEM, three key morphometric variables slope, curvature, and aspect were derived, representing dominant factors influencing landslide initiation. The analytical model was further enriched with geological structure, distance to watercourses, and land-use data (CLC 2018), ensuring the inclusion of all major conditions affecting terrain stability. Landslide susceptibility was evaluated using the Probability Method (PM), which produced a Landslide Susceptibility Index (LSI) subsequently classified into four categories: low, moderate, high, and very high susceptibility. The spatial distribution of LSI values indicates that more than two-thirds of the Grocka municipality fall within high and very high susceptibility zones, confirming that the area possesses strong natural predispositions for landslide formation. The findings provide a valuable decision-support tool for identifying high-risk zones, planning infrastructure interventions, and defining preventive measures aimed at reducing the impact of future landslides.