Purpose: The Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations (DSGSDs) are large-sized, slow-moving, long-lasting processes that mayinduce severe rock mass deformation. DSGSDs have been recognized worldwide, including the tectonically active Apennines belt. Despite the several DSGSDs identified so far, we still lack a complete inventory of Apennines cases. While a first inventory was set in the Molise region (Discenza et al., 2023), our work focuses on the Abruzzi region, encompassing the central portion of the Apennines belt. Their distribution can provide hints on the dependence on predisposing (i.e., geostructural setting) or preparatory/triggering (e.g. seismicity orclimatic forcing) conditions. The detection of DSGDs in a tectonically active environment (Moro et al., 2012) has also geohazard-related implications, due to their potential to predispose to localized catastrophic failures or earthquake ground motion amplification in damaged rock masses. Methods: DSGSDs were detected and mapped through remote sensing (analysis and interpretation of stereoscopic aerial photos)combined with field surveys. Records in the geodatabase are reported as polygons (outline of the deforming slope areas) along with information on their kinematic characteristics (type of movement and state of activity), morphometric parameters (area, mean slope, reliefenergy, etc.) and geological scenarios (Neogene folds or thrusts, Quaternary normal or strike-slip faults), obtained by overlay analyses in a GIS environment. Results: Our results show a heterogenous distribution of the about 100 detected DSGSDs. Significant lateral spreading processes are concentrated along main thrust fronts, where thick and rigid carbonate sequences lie on on less rigid lithologies (e.g., flysch). Sackung-type deformation is instead frequent along the back-limbs of the main anticline structures or along active fault traces. Conclusions: In general, even today the most effective methodology for the identification and characterization of DSGSDs turns outto be the synoptic view of the landscape by photointerpretation of characteristic geomorphological indicators (such as double ridges,trenches, and counter-slope scarps); using stereoscopic aerial photos and stereoscopes the error associated with the photo-identification process can be estimated at 15 percent. Field surveys allowed us to validate and refine the remotely-sensed inventories. Although the research must be improved through more accurate analyses in a hazard-oriented perspective, we may draw some preliminary remarks. The distribution of DSGSDs highlights the predisposing role of geological structures inherited from the Apennines build-up, as well as of the present topographic setting, and the preparatory effect of fluvial dynamics following the post-Middle Pleistocene regional uplift of the region. Conversely, the role of earthquake activity and active faulting, which are generally considered potential triggering elements, is definitely more arguable. References 1. Discenza ME, Esposito C, Di Luzio E, Delchiaro M, Di Martire D, Minnillo M, Rouhi J, Martino S, Della Seta M, Troiani F, Calcaterra D, Scarascia Mugnozza G.Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations in Molise region (Italy): novel inventory and main geomorphological features. Journal of maps 2023; 1-14. 2. Moro M, Saroli M, Gori S, Falcucci E, Galadini F, Messina P. The interaction between active normal faulting and large scale gravitational mass movementsrevealed by paleoseismological techniques: a case study from central Italy. Geomorphology 2012; 151-152: 154-164. (9) (PDF) Regional inventories of deep-seated gravitational slope deformations: focus on the Central Apennines. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375759172_Regional_inventories_of_deep-seated_gravitational_slope_deformations_focus_on_the_Central_Apennines [accessed Nov 25 2023].
Regional inventories of deep-seated gravitational slope deformations: focus on the Central Apennines.
Di Luzio E;Guglietta D;
2023
Abstract
Purpose: The Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations (DSGSDs) are large-sized, slow-moving, long-lasting processes that mayinduce severe rock mass deformation. DSGSDs have been recognized worldwide, including the tectonically active Apennines belt. Despite the several DSGSDs identified so far, we still lack a complete inventory of Apennines cases. While a first inventory was set in the Molise region (Discenza et al., 2023), our work focuses on the Abruzzi region, encompassing the central portion of the Apennines belt. Their distribution can provide hints on the dependence on predisposing (i.e., geostructural setting) or preparatory/triggering (e.g. seismicity orclimatic forcing) conditions. The detection of DSGDs in a tectonically active environment (Moro et al., 2012) has also geohazard-related implications, due to their potential to predispose to localized catastrophic failures or earthquake ground motion amplification in damaged rock masses. Methods: DSGSDs were detected and mapped through remote sensing (analysis and interpretation of stereoscopic aerial photos)combined with field surveys. Records in the geodatabase are reported as polygons (outline of the deforming slope areas) along with information on their kinematic characteristics (type of movement and state of activity), morphometric parameters (area, mean slope, reliefenergy, etc.) and geological scenarios (Neogene folds or thrusts, Quaternary normal or strike-slip faults), obtained by overlay analyses in a GIS environment. Results: Our results show a heterogenous distribution of the about 100 detected DSGSDs. Significant lateral spreading processes are concentrated along main thrust fronts, where thick and rigid carbonate sequences lie on on less rigid lithologies (e.g., flysch). Sackung-type deformation is instead frequent along the back-limbs of the main anticline structures or along active fault traces. Conclusions: In general, even today the most effective methodology for the identification and characterization of DSGSDs turns outto be the synoptic view of the landscape by photointerpretation of characteristic geomorphological indicators (such as double ridges,trenches, and counter-slope scarps); using stereoscopic aerial photos and stereoscopes the error associated with the photo-identification process can be estimated at 15 percent. Field surveys allowed us to validate and refine the remotely-sensed inventories. Although the research must be improved through more accurate analyses in a hazard-oriented perspective, we may draw some preliminary remarks. The distribution of DSGSDs highlights the predisposing role of geological structures inherited from the Apennines build-up, as well as of the present topographic setting, and the preparatory effect of fluvial dynamics following the post-Middle Pleistocene regional uplift of the region. Conversely, the role of earthquake activity and active faulting, which are generally considered potential triggering elements, is definitely more arguable. References 1. Discenza ME, Esposito C, Di Luzio E, Delchiaro M, Di Martire D, Minnillo M, Rouhi J, Martino S, Della Seta M, Troiani F, Calcaterra D, Scarascia Mugnozza G.Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations in Molise region (Italy): novel inventory and main geomorphological features. Journal of maps 2023; 1-14. 2. Moro M, Saroli M, Gori S, Falcucci E, Galadini F, Messina P. The interaction between active normal faulting and large scale gravitational mass movementsrevealed by paleoseismological techniques: a case study from central Italy. Geomorphology 2012; 151-152: 154-164. (9) (PDF) Regional inventories of deep-seated gravitational slope deformations: focus on the Central Apennines. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375759172_Regional_inventories_of_deep-seated_gravitational_slope_deformations_focus_on_the_Central_Apennines [accessed Nov 25 2023].I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
