scholarly journals Morphostructural, Meteorological and Seismic Factors Controlling Landslides in Weak Rocks: The Case Studies of Castelnuovo and Ponzano (North East Abruzzo, Central Italy)

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monia Calista ◽  
Enrico Miccadei ◽  
Tommaso Piacentini ◽  
Nicola Sciarra
Keyword(s):  
Central Italy ◽  
Alluvial Fan ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Deformation Pattern ◽  
Weak Rocks ◽  
Geomorphological Mapping ◽  
North East ◽  
Triggering Factors ◽  
The Stability

We investigated the role of the morphostructural setting and seismic and meteorological factors in the development of landslides in the piedmont of the Abruzzo Apennines. In February 2017, following a heavy snow precipitation event and a moderate seismic sequence (at the end of the Central Italy 2016–2017 seismic crisis), several landslides affected the NE-Abruzzo chain and piedmont area. This work is focused on the Ponzano landslide (Civitella del Tronto, Teramo) and the Castelnuovo landslide (Campli, Teramo) in the NE Abruzzo hilly piedmont. These landslides consist of: (1) a large translational slide-complex landslide, affecting the Miocene–Pliocene sandstone clay bedrock sequence of the piedmont hilly sector; and (2) a complex (topple/fall-slide) landslide, which occurred along a high and steep scarp on conglomerate rocks pertaining to terraced alluvial fan deposits of the Pleistocene superficial deposits. Both of the landslides are typical of the Abruzzo hilly piedmont and both of them largely affected houses and villages located on top of the scarp or within the slope. The landslides were studied by means of field geological and geomorphological mapping, borehole investigations, geostructural analysis and photogeological analysis. For the Ponzano landslide, a detail pre-post-landslide air photo interpretation allowed for defining the deformation pattern occurred on the slope. For the Castelnuovo landslide, the triggering factors and the stability of the slope were evaluated with FLAC3D numerical modelling, in pre- and post-landslide conditions. Through this integrated analysis, the triggering factors, the landslide mechanism and the stability conditions of the landslides and the characterization of two main types of landslides affecting the piedmont hilly area of the Abruzzo region were investigated.

A multidisciplinary approach to investigate the geomorphological evolution induced by landslides in the piedmont and coastal sectors of Abruzzo region (Central Italy)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monia Calista ◽  
Valeria Menna ◽  
Enrico Miccadei ◽  
Nicola Sciarra
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Landscape ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Soft Rock ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Alluvial Fan ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Abruzzo Region ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Geomorphological Evolution

<p>According to their structural-geomorphological features, different types of landslides, with variable areal extension, largely affect the Abruzzo region (Central Italy) from the mountains to the coastal areas, contributing to the geomorphological evolution of the landscape.</p><p>In this work, we present the results of integrated investigations carried out in recent years in the Abruzzo piedmont and the coastal areas. In detail, we investigated the role of the morphostructural setting, seismic and meteorological factors in the development of piedmont landslides, and the geomorphological evolution, erosion and retreat processes widespread along clastic soft rock coasts of the region.</p><p>We investigated Ponzano landslide (Civitella del Tronto, Teramo), a large translational slide-complex landslide, affecting the Miocene–Pliocene pelitic-arenaceous bedrock, and the Castelnuovo landslide (Campli, Teramo) a complex (topple/fall-slide) landslide, which involved conglomerate rocks pertaining to terraced alluvial fan deposits of the Pleistocene superficial deposits. Both these landslides occurred in the NE Abruzzo hilly piedmont in February 2017, causing severe damage and evacuees. Regarding the coastal area, we analyzed rockfalls, topples and translational landslides which characterize the active cliffs of Torre Mucchia, Punta Lunga, Punta Ferruccio (Ortona, CH) and Punta Aderci (Vasto, CH), composed of clayey-sandy-arenaceous-conglomeratic marine sequence (Early-Middle Pleistocene) covered by continental deposits (Late Pleistocene-Holocene). These coastal areas are popular tourist destinations, included in natural reserve areas with high tourism, natural and cultural landscape value.</p><p>Through this multidisciplinary approach, the lithological, geomorphological and structural-jointing features were estimated. Focusing on their role on the stability, processes and dynamics affecting Abruzzo piedmont and coastal sectors, it was possible to analyze the triggering factors, the landslide mechanisms and types, as well as the most critical and/or failure areas.</p><p>The obtained results outline how field and remote investigations combined with FLAC3D numerical modeling provide an effective approach in the analysis of landslides, strongly improving the identification and prediction of landscape changes and supporting a new geomorphological hazards assessment.</p>

Data sources for planning: geomorphological mapping of landslides in north-east Derbyshire

1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. H. Al-Dabbagh ◽  
J. C. Cripps
Keyword(s):  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Geomorphological Mapping ◽  
North East ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
Geomorphological Map ◽  
The Stability

AbstractCategorization of land and the recognition of land surface processes of significance to development proposals are a fundamental necessity of effective land use planning and route selection. It is desirable that investigations of ground conditions should be initiated at an early stage of planning so that their impact may form the basis of the process. Since, generally, in these investigations an assessment of a large development area or route corridor must be made, low cost and rapid methods must be utilized.A number of sources of suitable geological and engineering geological data are available, although not necessarily in an appropriate form. Much could be gained by undertaking interpretation of these data, although the value of doing so could be reduced or even negated if the user fails to appreciate any shortcomings of the data. Familiarization with the techniques of data collection would provide users with some knowledge of deficiencies and also equip them to commission data acquisition and specify styles of presentation most suited to their requirements. Geomorphological mapping is a relatively cheap and rapid method of acquiring data about the ground conditions. In the paper a number of examples are considered and, in addition, geomorphological mapping of landslides in north-east Derbyshire, is demonstrated.One particular landslide has been subjected to detailed investigations in that accurate long term measurements of movement have been made. These reveal the rate and style of movement of different parts of the landslip which when considered together with the geomorphological map could form the basis of investigations for remedial measures.The geomorphological mapping provides data not only confirming or otherwise the stability condition of the landslides, but also gives indications of the style of instability. The studies are advocated as useful sources of information for planning surveys. This particular work demonstrates the use of a rapid and inexpensive method of obtaining information about land instability.

scholarly journals Seismogenesis in Central Apennines, Italy: an integrated analysis of minor earthquake sequences and structural data in the Amatrice-Campotosto area

2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Boncio ◽  
G. Lavecchia ◽  
G. Milana ◽  
B. Rozzi
Keyword(s):  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Normal Fault ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Fault Plane Solutions ◽  
Small Magnitude ◽  
Fault Surface ◽  
Displacement Profile ◽  
Earthquake Sequences

We present a seismotectonic study of the Amatrice-Campotosto area (Central Italy) based on an integrated analysis of minor earthquake sequences, geological data and crustal rheology. The area has been affected by three small-magnitude seismic sequences: August 1992 (M=3.9), June 1994 (M=3.7) and October 1996 (M=4.0). The hypocentral locations and fault plane solutions of the 1996 sequence are based on original data; the seismological features of the 1992 and 1994 sequences are summarised from literature. The active WSWdipping Mt. Gorzano normal fault is interpreted as the common seismogenic structure for the three analysed sequences. The mean state of stress obtained by inversion of focal mechanisms (WSW-ENE-trending deviatoric tension) is comparable to that responsible for finite Quaternary displacement, showing that the stress field has not changed since the onset of extensional tectonics. Available morphotectonic data integrated with original structural data show that the Mt. Gorzano Fault extends for ~28 km along strike. The along-strike displacement profile is typical of an isolated fault, without significant internal segmentation. The strong evidence of late Quaternary activity in the southern part of the fault (with lower displacement gradient) is explained in this work in terms of displacement profile readjustment within a fault unable to grow further laterally. The depth distribution of seismicity and the crustal rheology yield a thickness of ~15 km for the brittle layer. An area of ~530 km2 is estimated for the entire Mt. Gorzano Fault surface. In historical times, the northern portion of the fault was probably activated during the 1639 Amatrice earthquake (I = X, M~ 6.3), but this is not the largest event we expect on the fault. We propose that a large earthquake might activate the entire 28 km long Mt. Gorzano Fault, with an expected Mmax up to 6.7.

Edaphic components of Mangrove Dominated Lothian And Prentice Island In Sundarbans North -East Coast of India.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-72
Author(s):  
Amlan Del ◽  
Debaleena Ghosh ◽  
Phanibhusan Ghosh ◽  
Tanm Kumar De
Keyword(s):  
East Coast ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Exchange Reactions ◽  
Biotic Community ◽  
North East ◽  
Environment Study ◽  
Nitrogen Ratio ◽  
Mangrove Soils ◽  
The Stability

Physico-chcmical analysis of mangrove soils in two islands (Prentice and Lothian) in sundarban areas were carried out and compared to highlight the quality of the soils that facilitate the existence as well as survival various flora and fauna to play immense role in the stability of the environment. Study revealed that there were slight differences in the grain size, pH, organic carbon and exchangeable calcium (Ca12) and magnesium (Mg12) content in soils of these two islands. The litter of the mangrove forest might. play vital role not only on the variation of carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) and carbon to phosphorous ratio (C/P) but also retention ability of these essential nutritional elements in soils. Ca+2 and Mg+2 were the principal cations as observed in exchange reactions. Potassiun ion (K+) recorded comparatively higher values than the sodium ion (Na+) in these soils probably due to more amnily for K+ uptake in the existing biotic community as well as trapping capacity by edaphic components in these areas.

scholarly journals Mortality trends for multiple sclerosis in Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Gori ◽  
L Kundisova ◽  
D Bezzini ◽  
A Martini ◽  
L Giovannetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Mortality Trends ◽  
North West ◽  
South Italy ◽  
North East ◽  
Socio Economic Impact

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting myelinated axons of the central nervous system with enormous socio-economic impact. The aim of this study was to analyze mortality trends for MS in Italy. Methods The mortality data relative to period 1980-2015 were provided by Italian Institute of Statistics, data were aggregated in 5 intervals (1980-1986; 1987-1993; 1994-2000; 2001-2008; 2008-2015). The Age-Standardized mortality Rates (SR) with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated (using the European standard 2013) in order to evaluate the mortality trends (in confrontation to the initial period) and Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR), in order to confront mortality in 5 major geographic areas: North-East (NE), North-West (NW), Central Italy (CI), South Italy (SI) and Islands (I). Results During the study period 4959 deaths for males and 7433 for females were observed. The SRs were significantly higher for females (0.71;95%CI:0.70-0.73 vs. 0.56; 95%CI:0.54-0.57). Significantly higher SMR were observed for both sexes in I (M:123.3 vs F:112.7), for females also in NE (106.5) and NW (115.8). Significantly lower SMR for both sexes were observed in SI (M:88.8; F:71.4) and for males in CI (90.9). The observed SRs during the five intervals for males were: 0.65(95%CI 0.60-0.69); 0.52 (95%CI 0.49-0.56); 0.46 (95%CI 0.43-0.49); 0.53 (95%CI 0.49-0.56); 0.59 (95%CI 0.56-0.62); and for females: 0.69 (0.65-0.73); 0.69 (0.65-0.73); 0.61 (0.58-0.65); 0.68 (0.65-0.72); 0.81(0.77-0.84); respectively. An initial decrease of SRs was observed for males until 2001-2007 in confrontation to the initial period (p < 0.05). For females significant increase of SRs was observed in 2008-2015 (p < 0.05). Conclusions An increase of mortality for MS, observed for females, especially after 2000 may reflect the raising prevalence of MS in Italy. Important geographical differences were observed for five main areas. Key messages During the study period an increase of mortality for MS was observed for females. Important differences were observed between five main Italian geographic areas.

scholarly journals Impact of multiple radar reflectivity data assimilation on the numerical simulation of a flash flood event during the HyMeX campaign

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 5459-5476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Maiello ◽  
Sabrina Gentile ◽  
Rossella Ferretti ◽  
Luca Baldini ◽  
Nicoletta Roberto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Flash Flood ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Heavy Precipitation ◽  
Radar Reflectivity ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Reflectivity Data ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. An analysis to evaluate the impact of multiple radar reflectivity data with a three-dimensional variational (3-D-Var) assimilation system on a heavy precipitation event is presented. The main goal is to build a regionally tuned numerical prediction model and a decision-support system for environmental civil protection services and demonstrate it in the central Italian regions, distinguishing which type of observations, conventional and not (or a combination of them), is more effective in improving the accuracy of the forecasted rainfall. In that respect, during the first special observation period (SOP1) of HyMeX (Hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment) campaign several intensive observing periods (IOPs) were launched and nine of which occurred in Italy. Among them, IOP4 is chosen for this study because of its low predictability regarding the exact location and amount of precipitation. This event hit central Italy on 14 September 2012 producing heavy precipitation and causing several cases of damage to buildings, infrastructure, and roads. Reflectivity data taken from three C-band Doppler radars running operationally during the event are assimilated using the 3-D-Var technique to improve high-resolution initial conditions. In order to evaluate the impact of the assimilation procedure at different horizontal resolutions and to assess the impact of assimilating reflectivity data from multiple radars, several experiments using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are performed. Finally, traditional verification scores such as accuracy, equitable threat score, false alarm ratio, and frequency bias – interpreted by analysing their uncertainty through bootstrap confidence intervals (CIs) – are used to objectively compare the experiments, using rain gauge data as a benchmark.

Giardia species and other intestinal parasites in dogs in north-east and central Italy

2006 ◽  
Vol 159 (13) ◽  
pp. 422-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Capelli ◽  
A. Frangipane di Regalbono ◽  
R. Iorio ◽  
M. Pietrobelli ◽  
B. Paoletti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
North East

Shallow structural setting of an active normal fault zone in the 30 October 2016 Mw 6.5 central Italy earthquake imaged through a multidisciplinary geophysical approach.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Villani ◽  
Stefano Maraio ◽  
Pier Paolo Bruno ◽  
Lisa Serri ◽  
Vincenzo Sapia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Fault Zone ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Normal Fault ◽  
Alluvial Fan ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Inversion Algorithm ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Refraction Tomography

<p>We investigate the shallow structure of an active normal fault-zone that ruptured the surface during the 30 October 2016 Mw 6.5 Norcia earthquake (central Italy) using a multidisciplinary geophysical approach. The survey site is located in the Castelluccio basin, an intramontane Quaternary depression in the hangingwall of the SW-dipping Vettore-Bove fault system. The Norcia earthquake caused widespread surface faulting affecting also the Castelluccio basin, where the rupture trace follows the 2 km-long Valle delle Fonti fault (VF), displaying a ~3 m-high fault scarp due to cumulative surface slip of Holocene paleo-earthquakes. We explored the subsurface of the VF fault along a 2-D transect orthogonal to the coseismic rupture on recent alluvial fan deposits, combining very high-resolution seismic refraction tomography, multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW), reflection seismology and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT).</p><p>We acquired the ERT profile using an array of 64 steel electrodes, 2 m-spaced. Apparent resistivity data were then modeled via a linearized inversion algorithm with smoothness constraints to recover the subsurface resistivity distribution. The seismic data were recorded by  a190 m-long single array centered on the surface rupture, using 96 vertical geophones 2 m-spaced and a 5 kg hammer source.</p><p>Input data for refraction tomography are ~9000 handpicked first arrival travel-times, inverted through a fully non-linear multi-scale algorithm based on a finite-difference Eikonal solver. The data for MASW were extracted from common receiver configurations with 24 geophones; the dispersion curves were inverted to generate several S-wave 1-D profiles, subsequently interpolated to generate a pseudo-2D Vs section. For reflection data, after a pre-processing flow, the picking of the maximum of semblance on CMP super-gathers was used to define a velocity model (VNMO) for CMP ensemble stack; the final stack velocity macro-model (VNMO) from the CMP processing was smoothed and used for post-stack depth conversion. We further processed Vp, Vs and resistivity models through the K-means algorithm, which performs a cluster analysis for the bivariate data set to individuate relationships between the two sets of variables. The result is an integrated model with a finite number of homogeneous clusters.</p><p>In the depth converted reflection section, the subsurface of the VF fault displays abrupt reflection truncations in the 5-60 m depth range suggesting a cumulative fault throw of ~30 m. Furthermore, another normal fault appears in the in the footwall. The reflection image points out alternating high-amplitude reflections that we interpret as a stack of alluvial sandy-gravels layers that thickens in the hangingwall of the VF fault. Resistivity, Vp and Vs models provide hints on the physical properties of the active fault zone, appearing as a moderately conductive (< 150 Ωm) elongated body with relatively high-Vp (~1500 m/s) and low-Vs (< 500 m/s). The Vp/Vs ratio > 3 and the Poisson’s coefficient > 0.4 in the fault zone suggest this is a granular nearly-saturated medium, probably related to the increase of permeability due to fracturing and shearing. The results from the K-means cluster analysis also identify a homogeneous cluster in correspondence of the saturated fault zone.</p>

scholarly journals Morphoneotectonics of the Abruzzo Periadriatic Area (Central Italy): Morphometric Analysis and Morphological Evidence of Tectonics Features

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 397
Author(s):  
Enrico Miccadei ◽  
Cristiano Carabella ◽  
Giorgio Paglia
Keyword(s):  
Morphometric Analysis ◽  
Landscape Evolution ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Tectonic Deformation ◽  
Ongoing Activity ◽  
Fluvial Terraces ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
The Impact

Drainage basin-scale morphometric analysis and morphological evidence of tectonics represent helpful tools to evaluate and investigate morphoneotectonic processes in tectonically active regions. In this perspective, we applied an integrated analysis to the Abruzzo Periadriatic Area, between the Tronto and Sinello rivers (Central Italy). It involved morphometric analysis, structural geomorphological field mapping, and detailed analysis of fluvial terraces. Geomorphic indexes and markers (e.g., Irta, SL index, ksn, and knickpoints) were used in this study to detect the response of landscapes to drainage systems’ unsteadiness and tectonic deformation processes, possibly induced by the ongoing activity of the buried tectonic structures. Furthermore, the investigation of morphological field evidence of tectonics, integrated with the analysis of fluvial terraces’ spatial and temporal arrangement, was performed to assign relative, geomorphologically-based, age constraints of the landscape evolution. The resulting data allowed us to define domains affected by different morphostructural and morphoneotectonic processes, related to the impact and ongoing activity of the five detected families of structural elements (S1, F1, F2, F3, and F4), mainly characterized by compressive, extensional, and transtensive kinematics. Finally, this study could represent a scientific basis for integrating morphometric, fluvial, and tectonic geomorphology analysis to better define the main phases of the landscape evolution and the impact of morphoneotectonic processes on fluvial environments in uplifting piedmont areas.

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