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This article presents research relating to the will of Silvestro di Tano Pantaleoni, a Florentine merchant operating in Verona. His testament, dated April 11, 1342, recently resurfaced briefly on the antiquities market. The document is of interest to scholars because it cites the judge Pietro Alighieri, and provides a profile of the Pantaleoni family, which was involved in the failure of the Florentine Nerli company and shared common experiences with Dante Alighieri, moving in the same circle of acquaintances in Florence and Verona. The article retraces the document’s history, and presents biographical data uncovered around the main figures mentioned in the will. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The island of Ischia is particularly susceptible to landslides and flash floods due to its particular geological and geomorphological context. Urbanization in recent decades coupled with the development of tourism has increased the risk. After the November 10, 2009 event occurring in the northern sector of the island (the town of Casamicciola), a detailed geo-morphological survey was conducted to ascertain the evolution of the phenomenon. In the watersheds upstream of Casamicciola, many landslides were mapped and the volume of material involved during detachment and sliding was estimated. In the lower course area, near the town and towards the sea, flow pathways were reconstructed with the aid of extensive video footage taken during the event. Rainfall data were also analyzed and a relationship was established between the hourly rainfall rate and the flash flood. The phenomenon was found to be quite complex, with many upstream landslides stopping before reaching the urban area. In the lower course the alluvial event occurred as a flood with a very small sediment discharge, which left a very thin layer of sediment. Reconstruction of the flash flood phenomenon suggested possible action for future risk mitigation, early warning and civil protection plans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ABSTRACT The flooding susceptibility of alluvial fans in the Southern Apennines has long been neglected. To partly address this oversight, we focus on the region of Campania which contains highly urbanized piedmont areas particularly vulnerable to flooding. Our findings are based on stratigraphic analysis of the fans and morphometric analysis of the basin-fan systems. Using geomorphological analysis we recognized active alluvial fans while stratigraphic analysis together with statistical analysis of the morphometric variables was used to classify the fans in terms of the transport process involved. The results indicate that in the geological context examined, the best discrimination between debris flow ( Df) and water flood ( Wf) processes is achieved by means of two related variables, one for the basin ( feeder channel inclination, Cg) and one for the fan ( fan length, Fl). The probability that an unclassified fan belongs to group Wf is computed by applying a logistic function in which a P value exceeding 0.5 indicates that a basin/fan system belongs to group Wf. This important result led to the classification of the entire basin/fan system data. As regards process intensity, debris flow-dominated fans are susceptible to the occurrence of flows with high viscosity and hence subject to more severe events than water flood-dominated fans. Bearing this in mind, the data gathered in this study allow us to detect where alluvial fan flooding might occur and give information on the different degrees of susceptibility at a regional scale. Regrettably, urban development in recent decades has failed to take the presence of such alluvial fans into account due to the long recurrence time (50-100 years) between floods. This paper outlines the distribution of such susceptibility scenarios throughout the region, thereby constituting an initial step to implementing alluvial fan flooding control and mitigation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies on flow-type landslides in pyroclastic deposits have been performed to identify potential source areas and the main depositional mechanisms. Interesting methods for mapping landslide susceptibility have also been proposed. Since the potential volume of flow-type landslides is a measure of event magnitude, hence of considerable use in hazard assessment, we propose a method to estimate the potential volume for the morphometric analysis of 213 flow-like landslides occurred in Campania in recent centuries. First, our data show that the height, H, of the detachment and erosion-transport zones (i.e. the difference in height between the top of source area and a point, the first break at the foot of the slope, where the deposition stars to take place and the landslide loses velocity) and the area, A, of the same zones are linked by a mathematical function. Secondly, only part of the entire thickness of the pyroclastic material on the slope is involved. To define the potential volumes of the flow-type landslides, we analysed slopes, both in volcanic and carbonatic contexts, considering both channelled and unchannelled flow-type landslides. The most susceptible areas are identified by using a landslide-triggering susceptibility map, and then in each case the height H was estimated. This height is the difference in level between the point on the slope with highest susceptibility and the first break at the foot of the slope. Using the statistical correlation between H and A, both calculated for historical landslides, we evaluate the area of a potential landslide on a slope. Finally, potential volumes are calculated by using A and a constant thickness of the pyroclastic cover for the whole slope. This method could represent a useful tool to detect the main areas where risk mitigation works are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A semi-quantitative methodology for rock fall susceptibility assessment is presented. The test area is located along the Amalfi coast (Sorrento Peninsula, Southern Italy) which is characterized by high relief energy and very steep slopes, made up of dolomite limestone of Mesozoic age. Generally, the cliffs are strongly jointed and affected by karst processes. For this reason rock falls, rock slides and, more seldom, topples are very frequent in the area. The study took a multidisciplinary approach mixing classical field geology observations with typically geo-mechanical ones and required the support of highly professional staff, such as applied geologists, experts in photogrammetric survey techniques and engineers for stabilization works planning. The acquisition of the data involves a detailed large-scale study (scale 1:500). This methodology is mainly suitable for the study of single cliffs or slope with limited dimensions. Cartographic representation is a main problem in the study of a vertical cliff. A frontal topographic survey (terrestrial photogrammetry) was first carried out. After this, different geo-thematic maps showing the main geological, geomorphological and geostructural information were elaborated and then compared, allowing the elaboration of the triggering susceptibility map. The semi-quantitative proposed method has a good accuracy in the realization of the potential detachment area of rock falls, in order to predispose stabilization works and to rationalize the disposal resources for the hazard mitigation in the unstable areas near human utilization (urban centres, roads, etc.). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper deals with the problem of cliff stability and proposes a geomorphological zonation of a cliff using a sector of the Posillipo promontory (named the Coroglio-Trentaremi sea cliff, Italy), in the Campi Flegrei coastal area, as a case study. A detailed geological and geomorphological analysis was carried out, by combining field work with analysis of detailed scale topographic maps, orthophoto, and stratigraphical data from deep boreholes. Field and borehole data, together with structural data collected in seven different stations along the cliff, allowed us to derive six geological cross-sections and to reconstruct the complex stratigraphical and structural setting of the cliff. Geomorphological analysis focused on the detection of the main geomorphological factors predisposing to cliff instability. We selected the most significant factors and divided them into two groups: factors influencing landslide intensity and factors influencing cliff instability. Then, by means of a heuristic approach, we constructed a matrix that was used to derive a map showing the geomorphological zonation of the sea cliff. This map may enable to development of a reliable scenario of cliff instability and consequent retreat, which may be useful either to plan intervention works in the most critical areas or to organize prevention plans aimed at risk mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]