Slopes instabilities are complex phenomena and constitute a major hazard for human activities. Slope instabilities affect most of the countries overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and often involve challenging geotechnical conditions and complex geo-material characteristics. In this paper we present a combined field-laboratory multidisciplinary test and monitoring program to characterize slope instability phenomena in the town of Gimigliano (Southern Italy). These phenomena involve complex geo-morphological aspects and the interaction of several landslides with different dimensions and characteristics. The study area is located on the east coast of the Calabria region, in Southern Italy, within the narrow Calabrian Arc subduction zone, where sections of the oceanic plate (one of the oldest in the world) have been thrusted and preserved on land. The area is characterized by the so-called Liguride and Calabride complexes and the presence of Mesozoic ophiolitic rocks. During the period 2008-2010, this area was affected by persistent rainfall events which reactivated various landslides causing damage to buildings and infrastructure systems. To characterize this complex slope instability phenomenon a comprehensive site and laboratory test and monitoring program has been performed. We gathered information on: (1) tectonic, geological, and geomorphological background, (2) hydrogeological conditions, (3) evolution over time and space of the activity by monitoring techniques such as multi-epoch Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), inclinometer, and structural monitoring, (4) geotechnical characteristics from boring logs and standard laboratory tests, (5) spatial distribution and variation of geologic units via electrical resistivity tomography, (6) geotechnical field monitoring, and (7) advanced laboratory ultrasonic testing on samples retrieved in the unstable area for the determination of P- and S-wave velocities. This comprehensive multidisciplinary characterization allowed us to understand the complexity of this phenomenon, gaining insights into issues pertaining to slope instabilities in similar geologic and tectonic environments in the Calabria region and in the whole Mediterranean area.
Site-laboratory investigation strategies to characterize a complex slope instability phenomenon in Southern Italy
Ausilio E.;Zimmaro P.
2021-01-01
Abstract
Slopes instabilities are complex phenomena and constitute a major hazard for human activities. Slope instabilities affect most of the countries overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and often involve challenging geotechnical conditions and complex geo-material characteristics. In this paper we present a combined field-laboratory multidisciplinary test and monitoring program to characterize slope instability phenomena in the town of Gimigliano (Southern Italy). These phenomena involve complex geo-morphological aspects and the interaction of several landslides with different dimensions and characteristics. The study area is located on the east coast of the Calabria region, in Southern Italy, within the narrow Calabrian Arc subduction zone, where sections of the oceanic plate (one of the oldest in the world) have been thrusted and preserved on land. The area is characterized by the so-called Liguride and Calabride complexes and the presence of Mesozoic ophiolitic rocks. During the period 2008-2010, this area was affected by persistent rainfall events which reactivated various landslides causing damage to buildings and infrastructure systems. To characterize this complex slope instability phenomenon a comprehensive site and laboratory test and monitoring program has been performed. We gathered information on: (1) tectonic, geological, and geomorphological background, (2) hydrogeological conditions, (3) evolution over time and space of the activity by monitoring techniques such as multi-epoch Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), inclinometer, and structural monitoring, (4) geotechnical characteristics from boring logs and standard laboratory tests, (5) spatial distribution and variation of geologic units via electrical resistivity tomography, (6) geotechnical field monitoring, and (7) advanced laboratory ultrasonic testing on samples retrieved in the unstable area for the determination of P- and S-wave velocities. This comprehensive multidisciplinary characterization allowed us to understand the complexity of this phenomenon, gaining insights into issues pertaining to slope instabilities in similar geologic and tectonic environments in the Calabria region and in the whole Mediterranean area.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
