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The 2016-2017 seismic events that struck central Italy led the Government to carry out a project to produce the third level Seismic Microzonation studies in 138 municipalities. These activities have involved many experts in different disciplines such as geology, geomorphology, geophysics, seismology and geotechnical engineering. This project represented the first opportunity to perform nationally coordinated third level Seismic Microzonation studies over a wide area in a quite short time (6 months). It provided the chance to improve methodological procedures, to test the reliability of methods and models for site response analyses and to produce a huge amount of validated data. This paper focuses on the contribution of geological disciplines and concerns: (a) the definition of the main "morphostructural domains" of the Central-Northern Apennines; (b) the creation of an archive of all the lithostratigraphic units occurring in the study area with their conversion into engineering-geological units and their distribution in the different morphostructural domains; (c) the construction of the reference geological and geotechnical models, which are essential to classify the territory into seismically homogeneous microzones and to perform the successive 1D and 2D numerical analyses of the local site response. The geophysical dataset acquired for the study allowed a first statistical characterization of the Vs values typical of the engineering-geological units identified in this study. Some examples of the recurrent geological and geotechnical models are shown to explain the complexity and variety of the geological and geomorphological features of the investigated area and to highlight the different seismostratigraphic behavior of rocks and cover terrains. The analysis of third level Seismic Microzonation data made it possible to identify recurrent subsoil models and to note the main stratigraphic and morphological control-factors of the ground motion modification in the different morphostructural domains.

Hundreds of landslides were triggered by the mainshocks (up to Mw 6.5) that occurred in 2016 in Central Italy during the seismic sequence that originated in the Apennine and ended in January 2017. These landslides were studied via field-based investigation and remote sensing techniques during the weeks immediately after the mainshocks occurred. EarthQuake-triggered Landslides (EQtLs) mostly consisted of rockfalls and rockslides. The spatial distribution of the examined EQtLs with respect to the epicentres of the main shocks resulted in very good agreement with the available empirical curves of maximum distance vs. magnitude. Based on the collected dataset, approximately 70% of the landslides impacted transportation routes (national, provincial and secondary roads linking towns and mountain villages) since they principally detached from road cuts. The landslides caused traffic interruption, and some delayed rescue vehicles from reaching the zones most damaged by earthquakes; moreover, some landslides caused the temporary isolation of several localities in the epicentre area. Even if it seems obvious that road cuts favour slope failure under shaking conditions, the dataset reported here is the first one for Italy where such an effect is quantified. Moreover, a statistical analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between the spatial distribution of EQtLs and some selected causative factors, including both natural (i.e., earthquake and terrain) and anthropogenic factors (i.e., presence of roads and trackways). Among the considered combinations of causative factors (both natural and anthropogenic), this study demonstrates that the occurrence of the uphill road cuts at the bottom of deep incised V-shaped valleys strongly influenced the spatial clustering of the EQtL triggered in 2016 in Central Italy.

Geothermal and volcanic systems are prone to gravity-induced slope instability at different scales. Endogenous magmatic, hydrothermal and seismic forcings can significantly modify rock mass rheology and perturb the local stress field and gravitational equilibrium, inducing shallow or slope-scale processes. The island of Ischia, which is part of the Phlegrean Volcanic District (Italy), is a remarkable example of this kind of complex interacting system. This study focuses on monitoring the hydrothermal system located beneath the ongoing slope-scale deformation, which involves Mt Nuovo (the western part of Mt Epomeo) and is a complementary effect of the resurgence of an ancient caldera. Debris and rock avalanches have affected the slopes of this volcanic island, in response to the renewal of volcanic activity and caldera resurgence. Large parts of the corresponding mass-wasting deposits overlay the most active areas of the Ischia hydrothermal system, where ongoing slope-scale gravity-driven deformation owing to a mass rock creep (MRC) process is still evolving. To investigate possible relations between the perturbing shallow hydrothermal system and the MRC process, thermal monitoring of selected groups of fumarolic emissions located in several portions of the deforming sector has been carried out since 2008 on a monthly basis by means of direct (thermal probes) and remote sensing (IR-thermography) techniques. Thermal monitoring of specific fumaroles reveals a peculiar seasonal trend characterized by a delayed inverse correlation with rainy periods and a short-term pulsating response to dry stages. The fumaroles also appear spatially correlated to the presence of MRC-related structures involving volcanic slopes. According to the measured thermal data, a conceptual model of the thermal interactions within the Mt Nuovo slope is provided, framing the potential role of thermal actions in accelerating the deformation process. In this view, possible chain effects, owing to magmatic or hydrothermal renovation, are depicted, delineating the most severe multihazard scenario consisting of an accelerating evolution of the MRC process towards paroxysmal collapse.

Scenarios of earthquake-induced landslides are necessary for seismic microzonation (SM) studies since they must be integrated with the mapping of instability areas. The PARSIFAL (Probabilistic Approach to pRovide Scenarios of earthquake‐Induced slope FAiLures) approach provides extensive analyses, over tens to thousands of square kilometers, and is designed as a fully comprehensive methodology to output expected scenarios which depend on seismic input and saturation conditions. This allows to attribute a rating, in terms of severity level, to the landslide-prone slope areas in view of future engineering studies and designs. PARSIFAL takes into account first-time rock- and earth-slides as well as re-activations of existing landslides performing slope stability analyses of different failure mechanisms. The results consist of mapping earthquake-induced landslide scenarios in terms of exceedance probability of critical threshold values of co-seismic displacements (P[D ≥ Dc|a(t),a y ]). PARSIFAL was applied in the framework of level 3 SM studies over the municipality area of Accumoli (Rieti, Italy), strongly struck by the 2016 seismic sequence of Central Apennines. The use of the PARSIFAL was tested for the first time to screen the Susceptibility Zones (ZS FR ) from the Attention Zones (ZA FR ) in the category of the unstable areas, according to the guidelines by Italian Civil Protection. The results obtained were in a GIS-based mapping representing the possibility for a landslide to be induced by an earthquake (with a return period of 475years) in three different saturation scenarios (i.e. dry, average, full). Only 41% of the landslide-prone areas in the Municipality of Accumoli are existing events, while the remaining 59% is characterized by first-time earth- or rock-slides. In dry conditions, unstable conditions or P[D ≥ Dc|a(t),a y ] > 0 were for 54% of existing landslides, 17% of first-time rock-slides and 1% of first-time earth-slides. In full saturation conditions, the findings are much more severe since unstable conditions or P[D ≥ Dc|a(t),a y ] > 0 were found for 58% of the existing landslides and for more than 80% of first-time rock- and earth-slides. Moreover, comparison of the total area of the ZA FR versus ZS FR , resulted in PARSIFAL screening reducing of 22% of the mapped ZA FR .

A 125,000 m2 calanchi badland in the Province of Siena (Tuscany) was monitored with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and terrestrial laser scanning over the period of one year. TLS (terrestrial laser scanning) was carried out on two sample slopes, whereas the image acquisition of the UAV covered the entire catchment. In combination with ground control points, the UAV images were used to create orthophotos and 3D point clouds using the Structure from Motion (SfM) software Photoscan. The TLS surface models indicate seasonal differences in erosion and deposition. The surface change measured with SfM showed nearly 6.700 m3 of net material loss, resulting from 8.700 m3 erosion and 2.000 m3 deposition. These values reveal a mean annual surface lowering of 5.3 cm for the catchment. Additionally, several geomorphological processes, such as rill erosion, slope wash and translational slides could be detected in the one-year monitoring period. A comparison of TLS and SfM results showed differences in the calculated volumes of mobilised material. These discrepancies resulted from shadowing effects and low point densities of the TLS point clouds.

Volcanic islands pose several major types of natural hazards, often interconnected and concentrated in relatively small areas. The quantification of these hazards must be framed from a multi-hazard perspective whilst building on existing single-hazard analyses. Ischia is a densely inhabited volcanic island with a long eruptive history lasting more than 150 ka (last in 1302 AD) characterized by the significant asymmetric resurgence of a caldera block. Here, we review the state-of-art of the natural hazards of Ischia, aiming at building a solid base for future holistic multi-hazard quantifications. We frame our analysis in three steps: i) review of geological, historical and current activity; ii) review of available hazard models and analyses; iii) development of an interpretative framework for the interdependent hazards. The results highlight that volcanic activity has been quite intense and many volcano-related hazardous phenomena have affected the island including in very recent times, both for eruptive (phreatic or magmatic eruptions) and non-eruptive (earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis) phenomena. The effects of some of them (e.g. tsunamis, tephra) are also relevant beyond the island territory. Quantitative hazard assessments are almost absent and should be developed in the future considering the evident interconnections between hazards. To this end, we propose a conceptual interpretative multi-hazard framework that highlights the fundamental role played by the resurgent block in controlling and connecting the different hazards, in terms of both spatial distribution of the sources and temporal clustering.

Based on a National Government Decree, detailed seismic microzonation studies were carried out after the seismic sequence of Central Italy (2016–2017) in support of post-earthquake reconstruction. During these activities mass rock creep deformations of slopes were observed in the municipality of Accumoli (Latium Region), involving two urbanized areas on the left bank of the Tronto River. The geological and geomorphological surveys as well as the geomechanical characterization of rock masses revealed a deformation process of flexural toppling which involves the sub-vertical thick sandstone layers down to 50 m of depth. Geophysical investigations, consisting of downhole tests, active surface-wave testing and seismic ambient noise measurements, were carried out in the areas involved in the deformational processes. The results highlighted that the rock mass involved in the flexural toppling exhibits peaks of the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) in a frequency band ranging from 1.5 up to 2.5 Hz. In one of the two areas, H/V calculated on weak-motions recorded during the seismic sequence within the deforming rock mass, showed a clear peak in the H/V frequency range 1.5–2.0 Hz, the same range pointed out by the ambient vibration analysis. Due to local morphological, lithological and bedding conditions, such an evidence cannot be related to a simple 1D resonance due to the seismic impedance contrasts originated from the local stratigraphy. Nevertheless, it seems more reliable that the HVSR peaks can be related to the 3D volume of intensely jointed rock mass, in agreement with the field evidence of flexural toppling, as these peaks result confined within the deforming mass. In addition, the lack of a clear polarization of the particle motion in the seismic ambient noise dataset suggests that the observed effect should not be linked to the interaction of seismic surface waves with persistent discontinuities in an anisotropic rock mass. According to the National guidelines for seismic microzonation studies, these rock masses have not been identified as unstable, i.e. involved in conventional landslide processes, but have been identified as seismic amplification prone microzones with associated amplification factors of at least 1.5 in the period range 0.1–0.5 s. The identification of such microzones within areas involved in gravity-induced slope deformations is a significant prerequisite for planning strategies of post-earthquake reconstruction.

During some overlook in typesetting process low-resolution files for Fig. 1 was used. The correct Fig. 1 is given.

This work is aimed at constraining a slope-scale, deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD) and an associated rockslide-avalanche in the frame of the Quaternary morpho-structural evolution of Central Apennines (Italy). The study area is the western slope of the Mt. Genzana calcareous ridge, for which a conceptual slope evolutionary model had been already proposed. The existing model has highlighted the role of inherited geological-structural setting combined with Quaternary morpho-evolution in the onset of rock-slope deformational processes until paroxysmal phases (i.e. occurrence of massive rock slope failures). In this work, the previous conceptual evolutionary model was strengthened and detailed by means of a mid-term landscape evolution model, based on the study of geomorphic markers hanging at different elevations above the present valley floor. The Quaternary landscape evolution was also constrained by means of time-dependent landscape metrics. Consequently, it was possible to back-analyse the observed DSGSD process from its onset up to the occurrence of localized massive rock slope failures, through a time-dependent stress–strain numerical modeling. The results of such a multi-modeling approach: i) highlighted the importance of rock mass creep during some stages of the morpho-evolution; ii) pointed out the relevant role of the inherited structural pattern in identifying the preferential strain concentration zones and failure surfaces; and iii) confirmed the hypothesis that the Scanno rockslide-avalanche scar is the result of two separate failure events, as an initial landslide involving the lower part of the slope that favoured a subsequent failure in the upper part of the slope.

The Tyrrhenian side of the Central Apennines is located in a lively geological context, in which uplift/denudation dynamics played a key role in landscape evolution. Intense water erosion and gravitational processes led to the development of spectacular badlands on the widespread clayey hillslopes. The Crete d'Arbia badlands (as part of the Crete Senesi of Southern Tuscany) represent one of the most beautiful examples of these landforms developed on Pliocene clays. On the other hand, these rapidly evolving landforms endanger the artistic heritage of the area, as with the Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey that was constructed on the top of a badland hillslope and confers additional value to the landscape. In the perspective of monitoring and reconstructing some significant phases of the relief evolution of this area an integrated approach has been used, which is based on dendrogeomorphology and geomorphological monitoring techniques. In particular, the correspondence between the data from dendrogeomorphological indicators and the measured denudation rates on badland hillslopes was tested. The sampling for dendrogeomorphological analysis has been performed in two stages on 45 trees of the Pinus pinea L. species, on hillslopes affected by soil creep and shallow landslides, in order to identify annual ring growth anomalies, compression wood and roots exposure. Trees' local behaviour is not homogeneous but some common trends have been detected on the basis of the anomaly index and compression wood. Since 1993 several monitoring stations at badland denudation “hot spots” have been equipped with erosion pins; quantitative data from monitoring stations, compared to pluviometric series, indicated critical phases of denudation that were supported by dendrochronological data. The integrated approach between dendrogeomorphology and geomorphological monitoring techniques allowed calibration of both tools in order to extend the analysis in the period preceding the field measurements. This kind of approach, capable of implementation in many contexts, could be particularly helpful in order to forecast the relief evolutionary trend.

Geostatistical topographic analysis is widely recognized as a useful tool for the statistical reconstruction of planar geomorphic markers from relict surfaces. This work is aimed at improving the geostatistical approach used in previous works and developing a method for evaluating the incision rates of rivers in their lower catchments during the Late Quaternary. We chose the major valleys of the Adriatic foothills (central Italy), affected since Late Miocene by a differential tectonic uplift which is still active. In particular, (i) we applied the geostatistical analysis to reconstruct the original top-surfaces of fluvial-to-coastal terrace bodies at the Metauro River and Cesano River mouths; (ii) we performed correlations between the height distribution of the alluvial terrace sequences and the Quaternary climatic curve to estimate the average long-term fluvial incision rates in the lowermost reaches of the Metauro, Cesano, Misa and Esino Rivers. The obtained averaged incision rates have been interpreted also in the light of the Stream-Length Gradient Index (SL Index), Steepness Index (Ks), and Concavity Index (θ) as proxies of the stream-power per unit length. Results confirm that geostatistical and terrain analysis of topographic and geometric arrangements of fluvial and coastal terraces is an effective tool in detecting geomorphic and tectonic factors inducing perturbations on planar geomorphic markers. In particular, we better delineated the surface geometry and boundaries of well-developed coastal fans at the mouths of the Metauro and Cesano Rivers, already recognized in previous works through sedimentological, morphostratigraphic, and chronological data. Moreover, we found evidence for cut-and-fill phases that took place during and immediately after the river aggradation of the late Quaternary glacial periods. Despite the Slope–Area analysis evidenced a widespread influence of the regional differential uplift on single river basin configuration, we observed some space and time variability of averaged incision rates for adjacent valleys, mainly explained by physiographic configuration and dynamics of drainage network. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Studies on denudation rates can provide insight into the influence of climate change, tectonics, and human activities on landscape evolution. Research performed in Central Italy has shown considerable spatial variability of denudation rates in the major river basins. These studies have focused mainly on the Tyrrhenian side of the Italian peninsula, where Plio-Pleistocene marine deposits filling NW–SE elongated sedimentary basins have been uplifted during the Quaternary up to several hundreds of meters above present sea level. Small sub-catchments developed on clays are affected by sharp- and/or rounded-edged badlands (i.e. calanchi and biancane), representing denudation “hot spots” in the present-day morphoclimatic framework. In this paper, we analyze the relationships between indirectly estimated denudation rates at the catchment scale and field monitoring data at the hillslope scale. We attempt to better understand and quantify all hillslope processes that contribute to seasonal variability of denudation, to help with predicting the net input from “hot spots” to the overall estimated sediment yield at the basin outlets. At the hillslope scale, we discuss, in particular, the variability of denudation rates at calanchi and biancane badlands as a function of their different morphoevolution.

The aim of this work is to test an integrated quantitative geomorphic approach based on Stream Length–Gradient Index (SL Index) analysis within the small catchment of the Tarugo River in the Northern Marchean Apennines (Central Italy). The Tarugo River basin, 92 km 2 wide, strikes SW–NE across the Marchean Ridge and the western sector of Marchean Piedmont. The area is characterized by a series of NW–SE trending, NE verging thrust folds affecting the Meso–Cenozoic bedrock that pass upward from dominantly carbonate to dominantly terrigenous rocks. The area investigated has been affected since the Pliocene by extensional tectonics, accompanying a regional uplift decreasing in rate north-eastwards. In this work the SL Index analysis has been integrated with the spatial analysis of the Amplitude of relief ( A r ) and compared to geological and geomorphological field data. Results of this work indicate that the SL Index is a valid tool to detect the long wavelength structural effect on topography as well as the incipient local response to regional processes (i.e. regional uplift) that is often undetectable by other morphotectonic parameters. In contrast, the SL Index analysis seems not be a valid tool for discriminating the local lithological influence from the tectonic one.

This paper presents a multi-modelling approach that incorporates contributions from morpho-evolutionary modelling, detailed engineering-geological modelling and time-dependent stress-strain numerical modelling to analyse the rheological evolution of a river valley slope over approximately 10 2 kyr. The slope is located in a transient, tectonically active landscape in southwestern Tyrrhenian Calabria (Italy), where gravitational processes drive failures in rock slopes. Constraints on the valley profile development were provided by a morpho-evolutionary model based on the correlation of marine and river strath terraces. Rock mass classes were identified through geomechanical parameters that were derived from engineering-geological surveys and outputs of a multi-sensor slope monitoring system. The rock mass classes were associated to lithotechnical units to obtain a high-resolution engineering-geological model along a cross section of the valley. Time-dependent stress-strain numerical modelling reproduced the main morpho-evolutionary stages of the valley slopes. The findings demonstrate that a complex combination of eustatism, uplift and Mass Rock Creep (MRC) deformations can lead to first-time failures of rock slopes when unstable conditions are encountered up to the generation of stress-controlled shear zones. The multi-modelling approach enabled us to determine that such complex combinations may have been sufficient for the first-time failure of the S. Giovanni slope at approximately 140 ka (MIS 7), even without invoking any trigger. Conversely, further reactivations of the landslide must be related to triggers such as earthquakes, rainfall and anthropogenic activities. This failure involved a portion of the slope where a plasticity zone resulted from mass rock creep that evolved with a maximum strain rate of 40% per thousand years, after the formation of a river strath terrace. This study demonstrates that the multi-modelling approach presented herein is a useful tool for estimating the progressive development of slope failures because it can highlight time-dependent continuous deformations as the major processes that drive rocky slopes to failure. This type of approach can be devoted to the best selection of risk mitigation strategies with respect to both human life and anthropic infrastructure.

This study aims on the quantification and analysis of geomorphic processes on the barely vegetated slopes of a recultivated iron ore mine on the Italian island Elba using Terrestrial Lasercanning (TLS) and digital photogrammetry by UAV photographs over a period of 5 1/2 years. Beside this the study tried to work out the potential and the limitations of both methods to detect surface changes by geomorphic process dynamic within a natural environment. Both, UAV and TLS show the pattern of the erosion and accumulation processes on the investigated slope quite well, but the calculated amounts differ clearly between the methods. The reasons for these differences could be found in the different accuracies (variable level of detections) of the methods and the different viewing geometries. Both effects have an impact on the detectable process dynamic over different time scales on the slope and their calculated amounts, which in both cases can lead to an underestimation of erosion and accumulation by fluvial processes.

Paleomagnetic data collected in the last 30 years indicate that a simple orocline model is not sufficient to describe the complex evolution of the Calabrian Arc. Present-day curvature of the Calabrian Arc is the result of a different tectonic history between the edges of the arc, namely the Southern Apennines and Sicily, and its core, the Calabria-Peloritani Domain. These differences mirror the structural architecture and deep lithospheric configuration of the Calabrian Arc, which are related to the geometry and evolution of the Ionian subduction system. In particular, the presence of lateral heterogeneities in the subducting lithosphere and the subsequent progressive decrease in width of the trench during subduction are likely the main causes of Calabrian Arc formation and of its present-day narrow tight shape

Ischia is the emergent top of a large volcanic complex that rises more than 1,000 m above the sea floor, at the north-western end of the Gulf of Naples. Caldera resurgence in the central part of the island has resulted in the formation of differentially displaced blocks, among which Mt. Epomeo (787 m a.s.l.) is the most uplifted. Deformation and slope instability have been recognised as common features induced by a block resurgence mechanism that causes uplift and favours gravitational loading and flank failure. The Monte Nuovo block, a topographic high on the north-western flank of Mt. Epomeo, has recently been interpreted as a block affected by deep-seated gravitational slope deformation. This block may undergo a catastrophic failure in the case of renewal of magmatic activity. This paper investigates the potential failure of the Monte Nuovo block as a rockslide-debris avalanche, the consequent tsunami generation and wave propagation, and discusses the catastrophic effects of such an event. Mobilization-prone volume has been estimated at about 160·106 m3 and would move from a maximum elevation of 400 m a.s.l. The landslide itself would sweep away a densely populated territory as large as 3.5 km2. The highest waves generated by the tsunami, on which this paper is mainly focussed, would hit the northern and western shores of Ischia. However, the high coast would prevent inundation and limit devastation to beaches, harbours and surrounding areas. Most of the tsunami energy would head towards the north-east, hitting the Campania coast. Severe inundation would affect an area of up to 20 km2 around the mouth of the Volturno river, including the urban area of Castel Volturno. In contrast, less energy would travel towards the south, and the Gulf of Naples would be perturbed by long persisting waves of limited damaging potential.

Severe slope denudation is one of the most important environmental problems in the Mediterranean region. In particular, badlands are widespread in central Italy as a result of extensive clayey outcrops, current climatic conditions and rapid Quaternary uplift. Human activity may significantly affect the development and evolution of these denudation hot spots, especially through changes in land use. This work is focused on a badland site that has developed over the last 30 years on a gently sloping area of cropland in central Italy. The site, named Bargiano, underwent cropland abandonment in 1980 and was selected to evaluate the effects of external forcing (such as human impact and rainfall variations) on the development of water erosion processes. The remnants of the 1980 cropland surface and the present (eroded) surface were sampled using differential global positioning system techniques to perform a volumetric estimation of the eroded material and to calculate the average erosion rate for fairly large time spans. The DGPS survey was coupled with a 2-year monitoring with erosion pins in the region, which permitted comparisons between long- and short-term average erosion rates. In addition, the analysis of the rainfall series recorded at the Orvieto pluviometric station allowed us to assess and evaluate the role of critical rainfall events on denudation intensity. Finally, a further comparison of the measured and estimated erosion rates from the Bargiano site with the data recorded at other long-lasting monitoring stations that are set up in certain key areas of central Italy (the Tevere River and Ombrone River basins) revealed that the Bargiano experimental hillslope experienced considerably higher erosion rates than were noted at the other sites. Our investigations demonstrated that cropland abandonment caused an increase in the erosion rate relative to what happened in natural areas characterized by similar physiographic conditions. This finding is consistent with previously reported results for other badlands found in the Mediterranean area. Moreover, the results obtained suggest that, after the abandonment of its cropland, the Bargiano site evolved in a cyclical manner that was driven by intrinsic thresholds to a greater extent than it was affected by external (climatic) changes.