Non-susceptible landslide areas in Italy and in the Mediterranean region

Abstract. We used landslide information for 13 study areas in Italy and morphometric information obtained from the 3 arc-second SRTM DEM to determine areas where landslide susceptibility is expected to be null or negligible in Italy, and in the landmasses surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The morphometric information consisted in the local terrain slope computed in a square 3 × 3 cell moving window, and in the regional relative relief computed in a circular 15 × 15 cell moving window. We tested three different models to determine the non-susceptible landslide areas, including a linear model (LR), a quantile linear model (QLR), and a quantile non-linear model (QNL). We tested the performance of the three models using independent landslide information represented by the Italian Landslide Inventory (Inventario Fenomeni Franosi in Italia – IFFI). Best results were obtained using the QNL model. The corresponding zonation of non-susceptible landslide areas was intersected in a GIS with geographical census data for Italy. The result allowed determining that 57.5% of the population of Italy (in 2001) was located in areas where landslide susceptibility is expected to be null or negligible, and that the remaining 42.5% was located in areas where some landslide susceptibility is expected. We applied the QNL model to the landmasses surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, and we tested the synoptic non-susceptibility zonation using independent landslide information for three study areas in Spain. Results proved that the QNL model was capable of determining where landslide susceptibility is expected to be negligible in the Mediterranean area. We expect our results to be applicable in similar study areas, facilitating the identification of non-susceptible and susceptible landslide areas, at the synoptic scale.

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Non-susceptible landslide areas in Italy and in the Mediterranean region

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-14-2215-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (8) ◽

pp. 2215-2231 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

I. Marchesini ◽

F. Ardizzone ◽

M. Alvioli ◽

M. Rossi ◽

F. Guzzetti

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Linear Model ◽

Landslide Susceptibility ◽

Census Data ◽

Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ◽

Moving Window ◽

Synoptic Scale ◽

Digital Elevation ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Elevation Model

Abstract. We used landslide information for 13 study areas in Italy and morphometric information obtained from the 3-arcseconds shuttle radar topography mission digital elevation model (SRTM DEM) to determine areas where landslide susceptibility is expected to be negligible in Italy and in the landmasses surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The morphometric information consisted of the local terrain slope which was computed in a square 3 × 3-cell moving window, and in the regional relative relief computed in a circular 15 × 15-cell moving window. We tested three different models to classify the "non-susceptible" landslide areas, including a linear model (LNR), a quantile linear model (QLR), and a quantile, non-linear model (QNL). We tested the performance of the three models using independent landslide information presented by the Italian Landslide Inventory (Inventario Fenomeni Franosi in Italia – IFFI). Best results were obtained using the QNL model. The corresponding zonation of non-susceptible landslide areas was intersected in a geographic information system (GIS) with geographical census data for Italy. The result determined that 57.5% of the population of Italy (in 2001) was located in areas where landslide susceptibility is expected to be negligible. We applied the QNL model to the landmasses surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, and we tested the synoptic non-susceptibility zonation using independent landslide information for three study areas in Spain. Results showed that the QNL model was capable of determining where landslide susceptibility is expected to be negligible in the validation areas in Spain. We expect our results to be applicable in similar study areas, facilitating the identification of non-susceptible landslide areas, at the synoptic scale.

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Migrants’ Sexual Violence in the Mediterranean Region: A Regional Analysis

Sexes ◽

10.3390/sexes2030024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 305-314

Author(s):

Demetris Hadjicharalambous ◽

Stavros Parlalis

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Regional Analysis ◽

Mediterranean Area ◽

International Literature ◽

Migrant Women ◽

Promote Gender Equality ◽

The Mediterranean

Migration in the Mediterranean region has increased greatly during the last years. Reports and studies reveal that violence and injuries among refugees and migrants is a common occurrence in the WHO Europe Region. Available literature indicates that sexual violence incidents take place: (a) during the migratory journey to the host country, (b) while in detention centers, (c) once migrants have reached their destination, and (d) during the period in which a woman is subject of trafficking. This manuscript explores how sexual violence against refugee/immigrant women is presented in the international literature; a narrative review of the literature was conducted on the phenomenon of migration in the Mediterranean area, and specifically on sexual violence of migrant women. In order to face the challenges faced by migrant women victims of sexual violence, the following policies are suggested by international literature: (a) offer emergency medical and health care to sexual violence survivors, which is usually relatively limited, (b) offer mental health care and psychological support for sexual violence when planning services to provide clinical care, and (c) work towards the aim of transforming norms and values in order to promote gender equality and support non-violent behaviours.

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Special Issue “Focus on the Salinization Issue in the Mediterranean Area”

Water ◽

10.3390/w13050681 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 681

Author(s):

Micòl Mastrocicco

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Region ◽

Mediterranean Area ◽

Precipitation Pattern ◽

Special Issue ◽

The Mediterranean

Throughout the Mediterranean Region, recent and past studies have highlighted an increase in temperature, especially during summer, a decrease in precipitation and a change in the in-year precipitation pattern [...]

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Investigation of Hg Content by a Rapid Analytical Technique in Mediterranean Pelagic Fishes

10.20944/preprints201807.0550.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Giuseppa Di Bella ◽

Roberta Tardugno ◽

Nicola Cicero

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Mediterranean Area ◽

Pelagic Fish ◽

Analytical Technique ◽

Weekly Intake ◽

Tolerable Weekly Intake ◽

Direct Mercury Analyzer ◽

Mercury Analyzer ◽

Global Concern ◽

The Mediterranean

Mercury (Hg) fish and seafood contamination is a global concern and needs worldwide sea investigations in order to protect consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate the Hg concentration by means of a rapid and simple analytical technique with direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80) in pelagic fish species, Tetrapturus belone (spearfish), Thunnus thynnus (tuna) and Xiphias gladius (swordfish) caught in the Mediterranean Sea. Hg contents were evaluated also in Salmo salar (salmon) as pelagic fish not belonging to the Mediterranean area. The results obtained were variable ranging between 0,015-2,562 mg kg-1 for T. thynnus specie, 0,477-3,182 mg kg-1 for X. gladius, 0,434-1,730 mg kg-1 for T. belone and 0,004-0,019 mg kg-1 for S. salar, respectively. The total Hg tolerable weekly intake (TWI) and % tolerable weekly intake (TWI%) values according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) were calculated. The results highlighted that the pelagic species caught in the Mediterranean Sea should be constantly monitored due to their high Hg contents as well as their TWI and TWI% with respect to S. salar samples.

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A Synergetic Approach for the Space-Based Sea Surface Currents Retrieval in the Mediterranean Sea

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs11111285 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1285 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Daniele Ciani ◽

Marie-Hélène Rio ◽

Milena Menna ◽

Rosalia Santoleri

Keyword(s):

Numerical Model ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Mediterranean Area ◽

Hf Radar ◽

Sea Surface ◽

Reconstruction Method ◽

Surface Currents ◽

Basin Scale ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Sicily Channel

We present a method for the remote retrieval of the sea surface currents in the Mediterranean Sea. Combining the altimeter-derived currents with sea-surface temperature information, we created daily, gap-free high resolution maps of sea surface currents for the period 2012–2016. The quality of the new multi-sensor currents has been assessed through comparisons to other surface-currents estimates, as the ones obtained from drifting buoys trajectories (at the basin scale), or HF-Radar platforms and ocean numerical model outputs in the Malta–Sicily Channel. The study yielded that our synergetic approach can improve the present-day derivation of the surface currents in the Mediterranean area up to 30% locally, with better performances for the the meridional component of the motion and in the western section of the basin. The proposed reconstruction method also showed satisfying performances in the retrieval of the ageostrophic circulation in the Sicily Channel. In this area, assuming the High Frequency Radar-derived currents as reference, the merged multi-sensor currents exhibited improvements with respect to the altimeter estimates and numerical model outputs, mainly due to their enhanced spatial and temporal resolution.

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Grid Integration as a Strategy of Med-TSO in the Mediterranean Area in the Framework of Climate Change and Energy Transition

Energies ◽

10.3390/en13205307 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (20) ◽

pp. 5307

Author(s):

Antonio Moretti ◽

Charalampos Pitas ◽

George Christofi ◽

Emmanuel Bué ◽

Modesto Gabrieli Francescato

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

Power Grid ◽

National Development ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Mediterranean Area ◽

Common Interest ◽

Grid Integration ◽

Low Carbon ◽

The Mediterranean

The paper presents a survey on the situation in terms of solutions for grid integration throughout the Mediterranean area in the framework of climate change and energy transition. The objective of the study is focused on Mediterranean region connectivity initiatives in the context of the broader vision of an interconnected European–Mediterranean (Euro–Med) power system for a future low-carbon energy system as the fundamental objective of Med-TSO, the Association of the Mediterranean Transmission System Operators (TSOs) for electricity. The analysis examines how the power grid connectivity evolves from now on to 2030, describing the progress made to date in integrating the power grids of the Mediterranean region as well as the future possibilities for a more integrated power grid covering the whole region. The research, conducted within Mediterranean Project II of Med-TSO, includes an overview on the current situation of the interconnections and the proposal for the 2030 interconnections Master Plan, coherent with the national development plans (NDPs) and shared energy scenarios for the whole region at the same horizon of 2030. It conducts an assessment of the gap between the current and the 2030 expected situation, taking into account the energy transition toward 2030 objectives resulting from the achievements of climate change pledges, local governmental policies and EU strategy for neighboring countries and Africa. The solutions survey includes technical solutions, procedures and rules to improve systems’ integration and increase regional electricity exchanges in Med-TSO countries, and is aimed at achieving a higher quality of services and better efficiency of energy supply in Med-TSO member countries in the framework of the expected energy transition. The main scope is to present solutions that will be made available due to maturity and experience in the coming decade, specifically: high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technologies, energy storage, sectors coupling, smart grid technologies and services, inter-TSO and transmission–distribution cooperation platforms, etc. The article presents two case studies: the island paradigm and a new cross-border interconnection project of common interest. Finally, the post-pandemic core role of TSOs, which has become more relevant than ever, is transformed into a key-enabler of energy transition towards a sustainable, resilient and innovative climate-neutral recovery.

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Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the Coastal States of the Mediterranean Region on the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea, held in Barcelona, Spain, 2–16 February 1976

Environmental Conservation ◽

10.1017/s0376892900018348 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 152-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Peter S. Thacher

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

The Mediterranean

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Where Three Worlds Met

10.7591/cornell/9781501704642.001.0001 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Davis-Secord

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Middle Ages ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Cultural Communication ◽

Dominant Culture ◽

Trade Networks ◽

Cross Cultural Communication ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Intellectual Networks

Sicily is a lush and culturally rich island at the center of the Mediterranean Sea. Throughout its history, the island has been conquered and colonized by successive waves of peoples from across the Mediterranean region. In the early and central Middle Ages, the island was ruled and occupied in turn by Greek Christians, Muslims, and Latin Christians. This book investigates Sicily's place within the religious, diplomatic, military, commercial, and intellectual networks of the Mediterranean by tracing the patterns of travel, trade, and communication among Christians (Latin and Greek), Muslims, and Jews. By looking at the island across this long expanse of time and during the periods of transition from one dominant culture to another, the book uncovers the patterns that defined and redefined the broader Muslim–Christian encounter in the Middle Ages. Sicily was a nexus for cross-cultural communication not because of its geographical placement at the center of the Mediterranean but because of the specific roles the island played in a variety of travel and trade networks in the Mediterranean region.

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A warmer Mediterranean region at the Miocene to Pliocene transition

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-13577 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Iuliana Vasiliev ◽

Daniela Boehn ◽

Darja Volkovskaja ◽

Clemens Schmitt ◽

Konstantina Agiadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Mediterranean Basin ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

Elevated Temperatures ◽

Sea Water ◽

Time Interval ◽

Time Period ◽

Organic Biomarkers ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

D Values

Between 5.97-5.33 Ma several kilometre-thick evaporite units were deposited in the Mediterranean Basin during the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC). The MSC reflects a period featured by a negative hydrological budget, with a net evaporative loss of water exceeding precipitation and riverine runoff. The contemporary changes in continental and marine circum-Mediterranean temperature are, however, poorly constrained. Here we reconstruct continental mean annual temperatures (MAT) using branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) biomarkers for the time period corresponding to MSC Stage 3 (5.55-5.33 Ma). Additionally, for the same time interval, we estimate sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of the Mediterranean Sea using isoprenoidal GDGTs based TEX86 proxy. The excellently preserved organic biomarkers were extracted from outcrops and DSDP cores spread over a large part of the onland (Malaga, Sicily, Cyprus) and offshore (holes 124 and 134 from the Balearic abyssal plane and hole 374 from the Ionian Basin) Mediterranean Basin domain. The calculated MATs for the 5.55 to 5.33 Ma interval show values around 16 to 18 &#186;C for the Malaga, Sicily and Cyprus outcrops. The MAT values calculated for DSDP Leg 13 holes 124, 134 and Leg 42A hole 374 are lower, around 11 to 13 &#186;C.For samples where the branched and isoprenoid tetraether (BIT) index was lower than the 0.4 we could calculate TEX86 derived SSTs averaging around 27 &#186;C for all sampled locations. Where available (i.e. Sicily), we compared the TEX86 derived SSTs with alkenone based, Uk37 derived SST estimates from the same samples. The TEX86 derived SST values are slightly higher than the Uk37 derived SST of 20 to 28 &#186;C. For the Mediterranean region, values between 19 and 27 &#186;C of the Uk37 derived SSTs were calculated for the interval between the 8.0 and 6.4 Ma (Tzanova et al., 2015), close to our calculations for Sicily section (20 to 28 &#186;C). Independent of common pitfalls that may arise in using molecular biomarkers as temperature proxies, both SST estimates independently hint towards much warmer Mediterranean Sea water during the latest phase (Stage 3) of the MSC. These elevated temperatures coincide with higher &#948;D values measured on alkenones and long chain n-alkanes (both records indicating for more arid and/or warmer conditions than today between 5.55 and 5.33 Ma). We therefore conclude that the climate between 5.55 to 5.33 Ma was warmer than present-day conditions, recorded both in the Mediterranean Sea and the land surrounding it.

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