The present article aims at studying slope failure processes and debris flows in the Mt. Rocciamelone area in the Cenischia Valley of the Western Italian Alps (Graian Alps). Debris flow events in the study area since 1993 have been investigated through instrumental records, on-site surveys and data analysis related to the triggering causes, debris flow dynamics and rainfall. The first rockfall was witnessed on the western slopes of Mt. Rocciamelone on 26 December 2006, heading from the Marderello catchment above Novalesa Village in the Torino Province. The inception zone was recognized just below the crest line around 3200 m a.s.l., which connects the Cà d'Asti landslide to the highest peak (3538 m a.s.l.). Such events occurred during the winter and from June 2007 to early September when the frequency of major rotational slides and rockfalls increased. The whole process of instability affected at least 4 × 104 m2 of surface area and dismantled about 4 × 105 m3 of weathered rock. Stony debris appears to have been inscribed in a larger deep-seated gravitational slope failure that comprises the whole valley system surrounding Novalesa Village. The catchment characteristics of the study area have been investigated through intensive field surveys since 1991. Meteorological and rainfall data of different elevations have also been collected since 1991 by the monitoring equipment set up in the field to investigate the environmental conditions and meteorological factors responsible for triggering debris flows. Rainfall intensity values for the onset conditions of a given event have been identified. The values appeared surprisingly low compared to usual values reported for soil slip/debris flow events worldwide. A continuous sediment supply from rockfalls has been recorded which is associated with a larger, deep-seated gravitational spreading system.
Slope failure and related processes in the Mt. Rocciamelone area (Cenischia Valley, Western Italian Alps)
Turconi L;Tropeano D;
2009
Abstract
The present article aims at studying slope failure processes and debris flows in the Mt. Rocciamelone area in the Cenischia Valley of the Western Italian Alps (Graian Alps). Debris flow events in the study area since 1993 have been investigated through instrumental records, on-site surveys and data analysis related to the triggering causes, debris flow dynamics and rainfall. The first rockfall was witnessed on the western slopes of Mt. Rocciamelone on 26 December 2006, heading from the Marderello catchment above Novalesa Village in the Torino Province. The inception zone was recognized just below the crest line around 3200 m a.s.l., which connects the Cà d'Asti landslide to the highest peak (3538 m a.s.l.). Such events occurred during the winter and from June 2007 to early September when the frequency of major rotational slides and rockfalls increased. The whole process of instability affected at least 4 × 104 m2 of surface area and dismantled about 4 × 105 m3 of weathered rock. Stony debris appears to have been inscribed in a larger deep-seated gravitational slope failure that comprises the whole valley system surrounding Novalesa Village. The catchment characteristics of the study area have been investigated through intensive field surveys since 1991. Meteorological and rainfall data of different elevations have also been collected since 1991 by the monitoring equipment set up in the field to investigate the environmental conditions and meteorological factors responsible for triggering debris flows. Rainfall intensity values for the onset conditions of a given event have been identified. The values appeared surprisingly low compared to usual values reported for soil slip/debris flow events worldwide. A continuous sediment supply from rockfalls has been recorded which is associated with a larger, deep-seated gravitational spreading system.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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