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In this paper, a study aimed to assess the landslide susceptibility at a regional scale for the wide provincial territory of Matera (Basilicata region, southern Italy) and the relative risk along the main road corridors distributed in this area is presented. A heuristic-bivariate statistical predictive model was performed to assess and map the landslide susceptibility in the study area by using a polynomial function of eight predisposing factors, weighted according to their influence on the instability process. The resulting susceptibility map was successively used for assessing the landslide risk along the provincial road network. The importance of these roads, representing the main network connecting the urban centres, derives from the absence of an efficient integrated transportation system through the entire regional territory. The landslide risk was evaluated through a matricial approach, which has allowed to define the risk levels (low, medium and high) along road stretches by overlapping the consequences and hazard maps, by combining their corresponding classes in a matrix and by associating to each combination a risk level. The resulting landslide risk map provides support information for decision-making and for identifying the priorities for the design of appropriate mitigation plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of geomorphological investigations carried out in Basilicata region (southern Italy) from the most external thrust front of the Apennines, where the town of Craco is located, to the adjacent sector of the Apennines foredeep (Fossa Bradanica; Pisticci area). The importance of the chosen area mostly resided in the presence of really diffuse running-waters and gravity-induced landforms which strictly affect urban areas. The geomorphological processes are linked with the Quaternary tectonic uplift affecting the Apennine front-Bradanic foredeep sectors. Series of field surveys, supported by aerial photo-interpretation, have led to the production of a geomorphological map at 1:16,000 scale which outlines the main processes and related landforms recognized in the study area. The latter are the result of the complex interplay of structural, gravitational and fluvial processes. Particular attention was devoted to the recognition, identification and mapping of landslides which affect the slope of the main villages (Craco and Pisticci), locally giving rise to hazardous conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper performs denudation processes and landforms characterizing the Camastra River catchment (Basilicata – South Italy), on a 1:40,000 scale map. The map, which includes gravitational processes and landforms and water erosion processes and landforms, was obtained by combining field surveys with the analysis of topographic maps and of multi-temporal aerial photos, ranging from 1954 to 2010. These latter provided information on both spatial and temporal evolution of geomorphic processes. The integration and the elaboration of the data obtained in a GIS environment provided the inventory map of denudation processes and landforms. Landslides are widespread in the study area, and play an important role in the present-day landscape evolution. A total of 953 landslides were recognized, occupying a surface of 79 km2, about 22% of the whole study area. The recognized landslides were mapped on the basis of movement type, as follows: slides, flows, falls and complex landslides. With regard to water erosion processes, the most evident and spectacular landforms in the study area are represented by badlands (the so calledcalanchi), due to concentration of running water on steep clayey slopes, producing narrow and knife-edge ridges. Finally, sheet, rill and gully erosion are particularly active on areas devoid of vegetation cover, as well as on cultivated fields. This kind of map is an useful tool for land planning policy. Also, these types of studies are basic and complementary to applied methods for investigation and mapping of land susceptibility to denudation processes, as landslides and water erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed landslide inventory map has been drawn for a large sector of the axial-outer zone of the Southern Italian Apennines using photo-aerial interpretation and field survey. Our results reveal a landscape greatly affected by landslide phenomena, which involve about 7% of the entire area. DEM analysis allowed us to assess the influence of landslide processes on the geomorphological evolution and investigate the main predisposing factors, which promote the initiation and evolution of mass movements. In order to understand the influence of lithological and topographic factors on slope processes, an evaluation of the landslide susceptibility has been carried out using the SINMAP model. A statistical comparison between the stability index map and landslides highlights a good prediction ability of the susceptibility assessment. Apart from the implications for mass movement processes and relief evolution, the acquired data can represent a basic contribution to land management and hazard assessment as well as the gathering of basic information on landslide susceptibility of this sector of the southern Apennine chain. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]