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Italy is one of the European countries most affected by landslides. In order to mitigate the risk, the analysis of such phenomena should involve a broad spectrum of studies to understand the geological and geomorphological properties of the unstable areas, the geometric features of the landslides and the causes of their trigger, the evolution over time, and the works of risk mitigation taken as well as their effectiveness over time. This article is concerned with multidisciplinary investigations on a historical earth flow occurred in Montemurro (Basilicata, Southern Italy) in 1907. We analyse unpublished archive sources strictly coupled with new geological and geomorphological surveys. Furthermore, to gain information on the geometrical features of the landslide body, geophysical prospections (ERT) is used alongside the field surveys. Lastly, to gain insight on the landslide triggering factors, we employed historical–climatological analysis: in particular, we made use of the monthly simple daily intensity index (SDII) to evaluate extreme events and the standardised precipitation index (SPI) to consider previous wetness conditions. The earth flow was triggered on 26 February 1907 and the main movement lasted about one week, involving several buildings, including those of cultural interest. Historical documentary investigations and historical climatological analysis both indicate that the earth flow was triggered by a preceding heavy rain period, which independent historical sources suggest also caused the activation of landslides over a wider area around Montemurro. Currently, the earth flow is NE–SW oriented, extends for a length of ~1.1 km, and has an average width of ~220 m. The landslide is in a dormant activity phase. From a methodological point of view, the research stresses the importance of integrated approaches to investigate natural hazards, particularly by the use of historical data. This research may be of interest to academics, practitioners, and policymakers for both the methodological approach followed and results gained, useful in view of both risk mitigation and territorial planning of landslide-prone areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brindisi di Montagna Scalo Landslide in Southern Italy is an active complex mass movement, which affects the left slope of the Basento River. In the last few decades, this landslide has been continuously monitored, as it directly threatened some of the most important communication routes in the Basilicata Region. Nevertheless, little progresses have been made to prevent further landslide advancement, and continuous maintenance is required. With the aims of better understanding, the main factors controlling the evolution of this landslide, and suggesting the most appropriate countermeasures, a multidisciplinary study, based on the integration of direct and indirect techniques, was carried out. Direct techniques included multi-temporal geomorphological analysis of the slope, alongside geological and structural field observations. Indirect techniques consisted of electrical resistivity tomography acquisition. The combined analyses of the geological and geophysical data showed that Quaternary tectonic processes played a fundamental role as a predisposing factor, whereas seasonal rainfall, and the perpetual undercutting by erosional processes caused by the Basento River at the toe of the landslide are the main triggering mechanisms. The Brindisi di Montagna Scalo Landslide represents an outstanding case-study, concerning the interaction between a flow-like complex landslide and essential linear infrastructure, such as motorways and railways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rapid geomorphological evolution occurred in the erodible lithology and semiarid climate of southern Italy. • A deposition phase during the Little Ice Age (LIA) was the last global cold climatic phase. • Badland incision occurred during Mediaeval Warm Period and continued in stably alternating phases until 1700 CE. • Valley aggradation ended early in 1850 as a phase of historic arroyo cutting began. • Geomorphological evolution around Basilicata during the LIA was very rapid and controlled by extreme surface process sensitivity to climate change. There is a general consensus that the increased frequency of extreme climatic events will quickly change the morphology of the landscapes in the Mediterranean area. Knowing and understanding the expected changes becomes crucial for defining future adaptive strategies. This paper deals with the very rapid geomorphological evolution in an emblematic Mediterranean area, the Basilicata region of southern Italy, during the last 300 years. The results show that the landscape evolution was mainly controlled by the extreme sensitivity of surface processes to climate change. Landslides, a new cycle of the formation of badland landforms such as calanchi and biancane, and an aggradation/incision phase in the main river valleys have completely reshaped the landscape of the Bradanic Trough, whereas fresh eroded material was moved to the coast. New data on valley-fill alluvium in the Basento River and one of its main left tributaries, the Vella stream, show ages ranging from 1700 to 1850. This deposition phase coincides with the Little Ice Age, an epoch of global climate variability. Previous literature showed that the alluvium of this age consists of a mappable stratigraphic unit outcropping in all the large alluvial valleys of the Basilicata and Mediterranean regions. Palaeoclimate and high-resolution palaeoflood data indicate that valley-fill alluviation occurred during a long humid period. Valley aggradation ended in approximately 1850 with the beginning of a new phase of historic arroyo cutting, mainly due to high magnitude-low frequency rainy events within prolonged drought periods. The stream incision drew the terminal dissection of the clayey slopes into biancana rounded morphologies. These data seem to be confirmed by the comparable heights of about 3 m, both of the biancane and of the fluvial terraces. [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]

The Ionian coast of the Basilicata region, southern Italy, is characterized by a remarkable archaeological heritage, valuable crops, and national and international tourism, contributing significantly to the regional economy. In the last two decades, the area has been affected by the heavy recurrence of flooding events, which caused significant damage to agriculture, tourist infrastructure, and archaeological heritage. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses of pluviometric, hydrometric, and erosion/deposition dynamics of main rivers have been carried out in order to investigate the role played by natural factors, climate changes, and human activity. The results show that flooding events in the Metaponto plain were certainly caused by extreme rainy events, but man has also played an important role. The Metaponto plain has been involved in a reclamation consisting of the building of an extensive channel network, which provided better land cultivation, easy access to the beaches, and archaeological heritage protection. The human impact related to the absence of channel cleaning has proved to be the most relevant factor that greatly amplified the effects of low-intensity rainfall events, thus triggering flooding events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]