TERRANOVA O. (1), LOLLINO P. (2), GARIANO S.L. (1), IAQUINTA P. (1) & IOVINE G.G.R. (1), 2010, Un sistema integrato di sorveglianza per la mitigazione del rischio da frana.,
Geologi Calabria 11 (2010): 4–27.,
Rinaldi M., Surian N., Pellegrini L., Maraga F., Turitto O., 2010, Attuali conoscenze sull’evoluzione recente di corsi d’acqua del Bacino Padano ed implicazioni per la gestione e riqualificazione fluviale,
24(1) (2010): 29–40.,
Turitto O., Cirio C.G., Nigrelli G., 2010, Mobilità planimetrica di un alveo fluviale e condizionamento imposto dalluomo. Il caso del Fiume Tanaro in territorio alessandrino.,
3 (2010): 9–28.,
Antronico L.; Borrelli L.; Gullà G.; Sorriso-Valvo M., 2010, La frana di Maierato (Calabria, Italia meridionale) del febbraio 2010_ caratteristiche geomorfologiche ed evoluzione,
GEAM. Geoingegneria ambientale e mineraria 2 (2010): 15–26.,
Abstract
Il fenomeno franoso attivatosi il 15 febbraio 2010 sul versante sinistro del torrente Scotrapiti nei
pressi ...
Il fenomeno franoso attivatosi il 15 febbraio 2010 sul versante sinistro del torrente Scotrapiti nei
pressi dell'abitato di Maierato (Calabria meridionale) in seguito ad un prolungato periodo di precipitazioni,
ha interessato terreni mio-plio-quaternari rappresentati da calcari evaporitici del Miocene
superiore, da argille, argille siltose e silt del Pliocene inf.-medio e da depositi continentali del
Pleistocene. La frana ha coinvolto e distrutto alcune costruzioni rurali non adibite ad uso abitativo,
due tratti della strada provinciale che attraversa l'area, ha provocato lo sbarramento del torrente
Scotrapiti e la successiva formazione di un lago di sbarramento. Da un punto di vista tipologico, il
fenomeno franoso è classifi cabile come uno scorrimento composto sviluppatosi in colata; la lunghezza
totale del fenomeno è stimabile in circa 1,4 km, mentre il volume di materiale mobilizzato
è stato stimato in circa 5 milioni di m3. Indagini geologiche e geomorfologiche, effettuate subito dopo
l'evento, insieme alla disponibilità di un fi lmato e di dati da foto aeree hanno permesso di ricostruire
la geometria ed il meccanismo di evoluzione del fenomeno franoso. La frana può essere considerata
una riattivazione di un fenomeno franoso preesistente le cui cause predisponenti possono essere
ricondotte al particolare assetto geologico-geomorfologico ed alle abbondanti piogge che hanno
caratterizzato l'area nei mesi precedenti l'innesco. L'evoluzione rapida del fenomeno durante la fase
parossistica (stimato in 4-5 m/s) è da imputare al comportamento meccanico che ha assunto, a
seguito del movimento, il calcare evaporitico.
Panissod F., Bailly J.S., Durrieu S., Jacome A., Mathys N., Cavalli M., Puech C., 2010, Qualification des modèles numériques des données à travers deux applications du scanner laser terrestre et du LiDAR,
(2010): 50–57.,
Petrucci O; Polemio M., 2010, Dealing With Hydro-Geological Events_ Mitigation and History Cases,
Environmental Research Journal 5 (2010): 727–748.,
Abstract
Past Damaging Hydrogeological Events (DHEs), which can be defined as periods characterised by heavy rainfall ...
Past Damaging Hydrogeological Events (DHEs), which can be defined as periods characterised by heavy rainfall inducing such damaging phenomena as landslides and floods, are analysed in this article. The work is focused on the relationships between these phenomena and the characteristics of triggered rainfall, to supply useful suggestions for early detection and damage mitigation. The analysis of past DHEs allows for the characterisation of the main types of DHEs, which affected a selected area in the past and could affect it again in the future.
The proposed characterisation is based on triggering scenarios (meteorological conditions preceding the occurrence of DHEs), DHE's effects (damage caused by landslides and floods) and triggering factors (rainfall of different durations). Based on these features, the typical DHEs affecting a study area can be outlined and ranked according to their severity, thus specific emergency management can be planned to successfully manage them.
To obtain results that have a reliable statistical meaning, a large amount of data of three different types (meteorological, rainfall and damage data) must be treated, and some indices, allowing the comparative analysis of these kinds of data, have to be introduced.
In this work we describe the methodological approach, which can be applied in different climatic and anthropogenic contexts;finally, some applications of the proposed method to the region of Calabria (South Italy) are presented
Petrucci O.; Pasqua A.A.; Gullà G.;, 2010, Landslide damage assessment using the Support Analysis Framework (SAF): the 2009 landsliding event in Calabria (Italy).,
Advances in geosciences (Online) 26 (2010): 13–17. doi_10.5194/adgeo-26-13-2010,
DOI: 10.5194%2Fadgeo-26-13-2010
Abstract
In this paper, a simplified methodological approach is used to assess damage indices related to ...
In this paper, a simplified methodological approach is used to assess damage indices related to landslide phenomena that occurred in Calabria (Italy) between November 2008 and January 2009. This approach, which was designed for and applied to single landslides, uses the Support Analysis Framework (SAF), a procedure containing the elements that can be damaged by a landslide grouped in categories. In this paper, we test wide-ranging use of the SAF
on a number of landslides, assessing landslide damage on a municipal scale to get a final estimate of the amount of damage caused by all of the landslides that occurred in a selected municipality. Data regarding the damage caused by landslides were gathered from the press. Daily newspapers were systematically
collected and elaborated to assess direct, indirect and intangible damage caused during the abovementioned period by a rainfall-triggered landsliding event. In the paper, regional- and provincial-scale results are described, and the methodological approach is briefly described.
The application of the proposed methodological approach to the 2009 landsliding event shows that the results can be
used to summarise landslide damage from a complex event in order to better plan an intervention strategy at a regional,
provincial or municipal scale. The availability of newspaper data during the event and the speed of the proposed approach allow for rapid location
of the damaged sectors during the event, which will continuously
upgrade the regional damage framework. This can all
be done almost in "real time".
For regional agencies, this framework can be a starting
point to both manage the emergency and to acquire and interpret
data giving a more detailed damage distribution so that a
response can be organised. Moreover, based on the damage
assessment, a characterisation of the landsliding event can
also be carried out and used to describe the damage scenario
occurring after each type of event.
Brinkmann R., Parise M., 2010, The timing of sinkhole formation in Tampa and Orlando, Florida,
41 (2010): 22–38.,
Franchini M., S. Alvisi, 2010, Una procedura multi-obiettivo per lindividuazione e la risposta a eventi di contaminazione nelle reti di distribuzione idrica,
2 (2010): 37–40.,
Franchini M., 2010, Un excursus sugli algoritmi per la progettazione e la riabilitazione delle reti di distribuzione idrica,
2 (2010): 15–22.,
Creaco E., M. Franchini, S. Alvisi, 2010, La modellazione delle reti con distribuzione generica della domanda lungo i tronchi,
2 (2010): 79–82.,
Franchini M., S. Alvisi, 2010, Pipe roughness calibration in water distribution systems using grey numbers,
12 (2010): 424–445.,
Turitto O., Cirio C.G., Nigrelli G., Bossuto P., Viale F., 2010, Vulnerabilità manifestata dagli argini maestri del Fiume Po negli ultimi due secoli,
6 (2010): 17–34.,
Voudouris, K. Kazakis, N. Polemio, M. Kareklas, K., 2010, Assessment of intrinsic vulnerability using DRASTIC model and GIS in Kiti aquifer, Cyprus,
European Water 30 (2010): 13–24.,
Abstract
Approximately 70% of the population of the earth lives in coastal areas and the majority ...
Approximately 70% of the population of the earth lives in coastal areas and the majority of these people depend on coastal aquifers for freshwater. For this reason the coastal aquifers are vulnerable to pollution and are now recognized as a crucial arena for future progress towards sustainability in world. This paper deals with the assessment of groundwater vulnerability of Kiti aquifer, South Cyprus. The Kiti aquifer, covering an area of about of 30 Km2, is situated in the southern part of Cyprus with a mean elevation of 20 m above sea level. The area is characterized by semi-arid climatic conditions. The groundwater resources are related to the Pleistocene coastal plain and the recent Tremithos river valley deposits. The concept of the groundwater vulnerability is based on the assumption that the physical environment may provide some degree of protection to groundwater against human activities. The DRASTIC method is applied to evaluate aquifer vulnerability. The method was developed by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as a technique for assessing groundwater pollution potential, and is based on seven (7) parameters_ Depth (D), Recharge (R), Aquifer media (A), Soil media (S), Topography (T), Impact of the vadose zone media (I), hydraulic Conductivity of the aquifer (C). Determination of the DRASTIC index (DI) involves multiplying each parameter weight by its site rating and summing the total. Based on DI values a groundwater vulnerability map was illustrated, using a Geographical Information System (GIS). The highest vulnerability values in the Kiti area, covering a large part, are associated with shallow aquifers without great depth of the vadose zone. The results provide important information and the vulnerability map could be used from local authorities and decision makers who are responsible for groundwater resources management and protection zoning.
Cyziennne J., Graniczny M., Kowalski Z., Piotrowski A., Satkunas J., Wasowski J., 2010, Findings of Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) for Vilnius area, Lithuania,
18(4) (2010): 259–270.,
Pasuto A., Marcato G., 2010, Valutazione degli scenari di rischio residuale per la frana del Ganderberger (Val Passiria, BZ),
(2010).,
Polemio M., Petrucci O., 2010, Landslide trend and rainfall in the twentieth century_ the role of climate and land use variations (Southern Italy),
Geophysical research abstracts (Online) 12 (2010): 3581-1.,
Abstract
A methodological approach based on analysing landslides that occurred over a long period and climatic ...
A methodological approach based on analysing landslides that occurred over a long period and climatic data characterising that period is presented. The method investigates whether there are any effects of climate on landslide triggering. The approach has been tested in Calabria (Italy). Both landslide and climatic data have been obtained from available databases that have been expanded. Landslide data came from historical archives and newspapers, while the climatic analysis is based on daily and monthly series of rainfall and temperature. The method simplifies
the comparative analysis of several time series by defining some indices (the monthly, bi-monthly, and . . . m-monthly indices of precipitation, temperature, wet days and precipitation, and the monthly landslide number)
that can be used to study phenomena, such as landslides, that are characterised by spatial and temporal variability.
For Calabria, the number of landslides is correlated to monthly precipitation, wet days and precipitation intensity.
Thus, landslide occurrence could be roughly forecasted using these climatic data. Despite the favourable climatic trend, landslides are not decreasing because the recent utilisation of landslide-prone areas increases the vulnerability.
The analysis is detailed in a selected landslide prone area. For this area trends of different types of landslides, of land use and of anthropic modifications is discussed.
Voudouris K., Polemio M., Kazakis N., Sifaleras A., 2010, An agricultural decision support system for optimal land use regarding groundwater vulnerability,
International journal of information systems and social change (Print) 1 (2010): 66–79. doi_10.4018/jissc.2010100105,
DOI: 10.4018%2Fjissc.2010100105
Abstract
The availability of good quality water is worldwide a basic condition to pursue the socioeconomic ...
The availability of good quality water is worldwide a basic condition to pursue the socioeconomic development. The agriculture water demand can be damaged by contamination of groundwater resources. This paper proposes a tool to preserve the groundwater quality by using groundwater vulnerability assessment methods and a decision support system (DSS). Vulnerability map could be used for planning, policy, management, and contamination assessment. The mapping of intrinsic groundwater vulnerability was based on reliable methods, i.e., the DRASTIC and the SINTACS methods. A vulnerability map could be used for planning, policy, management, and contamination assessment. A DSS was developed in order to assess the groundwater vulnerability and pollution risk due to agricultural activities and land use changes. The proposed DSS software package was designed using the Matlab language. The software is a friendly application for everyone ranging from the novice user, e.g., a student, to an operations research scientist. It quickly and efficiently performs the task that is scheduled to carry out, and it can incorporate new maps in order to cover new areas. The tool was tested using two study areas located in the Mediterranean area. The test sites are dominated by different prevalent hydrogeological features, i.e., the typical porous features of alluvial deposits in the Greek study area and the typical fissured and karstic features of limestones and dolostones in the Italian study area.
Santangelo M.; Cardinali M.; Rossi M.; Mondini A.C.; Guzzetti F., 2010, Remote landslide mapping using a laser rangefinder binocular and GPS.,
Natural hazards and earth system sciences (Print) 10 (2010): 2539–2546. doi_10.5194/nhess-10-2539-2010,
DOI: 10.5194%2Fnhess-10-2539-2010
Abstract
We tested a high-quality laser rangefinder binocular coupled with a GPS receiver connected to a ...
We tested a high-quality laser rangefinder binocular coupled with a GPS receiver connected to a Tablet PC running dedicated software to help recognize and map in the field recent rainfall-induced landslides. The system was tested in the period between March and April 2010, in the Monte Castello di Vibio area, Umbria, Central Italy. To test the equipment, we measured thirteen slope failures that were mapped previously during a visual reconnaissance field campaign conducted in February and March 2010. For reference, four slope failures were also mapped by walking the GPS receiver along the landslide perimeter. Comparison of the different mappings revealed that the geographical information obtained remotely for each landslide by the rangefinder binocular and GPS was comparable to the information obtained by walking the GPS around the landslide perimeter, and was superior to the information obtained through the visual reconnaissance mapping. Although our tests were not exhaustive, we maintain that the system is effective to map recent rainfall induced landslides in the field, and we foresee the possibility of using the same (or similar) system to map landslides, and other geomorphological features, in other areas.
CAPRA, L., BORSELLI, L., VARLEY, N., GAVILANES-RUIZ, J.C, NORINI, G., SAROCCHI, D., CABALLERO, L., CORTES, A, 2010, Rainfall-triggered lahars at Volcán de Colima, Mexico_ Surface hydro-repellency as initiation process,
Journal of volcanology and geothermal research 189 (2010): 105–117.,
Aricò C., Corato G., Tucciarelli T., Meftah M.B, Petrillo A.F., Mossa M, 2010, Discharge estimation in open channels by means of water level hydrograph analysis,
Journal of hydraulic research 48 (2010): 612–619.,
Petrucci O., Gullà G., 2010, A simplified method for landslide damage scenario assessment based on historical data,
Natural hazards (Dordr.) 52 (2010): 539–560. doi_10.1007/s11069-009-9398-8,
DOI: 10.1007%2Fs11069-009-9398-8
Abstract
The Support Analysis Framework (SAF) is a tool that converts descriptions of landslide effects into ...
The Support Analysis Framework (SAF) is a tool that converts descriptions of landslide effects into numerical indices expressing direct, indirect, and intangible damage.
Sections assessing direct damage are made up of "elements" characterised by relative values and the "levels of loss" that they can suffer. By typing an x value into the cell representing an element and a level of loss, formulas multiply the value of the element by the level of loss, obtaining a value used in the damage indices assessing.
Indirect damage deals with_ a) emergency response and b) efforts to restore pre-landslide conditions. The level of loss depends on the number of people affected (a) or the cost of actions (b).
For intangible damage, the level of loss depends on the number of people affected.
We assess the damage indices for a landslide occurred in Calabria (Italy) in 2005, using both the SAF and the SAFL, a customised version that takes into account the local socio-economic framework by including only elements present in the analysed municipality.
We assess the damage indices for three scenarios with different initial conditions and compare them to the 2005 event; the results would have been useful to mitigate damage.
The SAF can be used by nonspecialists, and it allows the ranking of damage caused by different landslides, thus supporting local authorities in prioritising countermeasures and civil protection offices to speed up responses to refund requests.
The sorting of dormant phenomena according to their possible damage helps with defensive measures, emergency plans and insurance purposes.
BARONI C., MENEGHEL M., & MORTARA G., 2010, Report of the glaciological survey of 2009,
33 (2010): 245–311.,
BORSELLI L., TORRI D., 2010, Soil roughness, slope and surface storage relationship for impervious areas.,
Journal of hydrology (Amst.) 393 (2010): 389–400.,
Franchini M., S. Alvisi, 2010, Model for hydraulic networks with evenly distributed demands along pipes,
Civil engineering and environmental systems (Print) 27 (2010): 133–153.,
Franchini M., S. Alvisi, 2010, Comparative analysis of two probabilistic pipe breakage models applied to a real water distribution system,
Civil engineering and environmental systems (Print) 27 (2010): 1–22.,
Creaco E., M. Franchini, S. Alvisi, 2010, Optimal Placement of Isolation Valves in Water Distribution Systems Based on Valve Cost and Weighted Average Demand Shortfall,
Water resources management 24 (2010): 4317–4338.,
Nigrelli G., Audisio C., 2010, Floods in alpine river basins (Italy): an interdisciplinary study combining historical information and hydroclimatic data,
33 (2010): 205–213.,
Abstract
In the hydrographic basins of the Alps, well-defined meteorological configurations lasting several consecutive days give ...
In the hydrographic basins of the Alps, well-defined meteorological configurations lasting several consecutive days give rise to extraordinary rain events. These events often impact on the catchments, with repercussions on the valley floors and along the main channels network. Floods are frequent with ever greater associated damage. The Research Institute for Geo-hydrological Protection of the National Research Council (IRPI-CNR) has developed an interdisciplinary procedure for flood study. In this procedure, hydropluviometric data and information acquired from historical documentary sources are combined. The method is specifically designed to identify areas exposed to flood danger. The procedure has been applied in the Orco river basin and this paper reports the results of this work.
Iovine G. (1); Lollino P. (2); Gariano S. (1); Terranova O. (1), 2010, Coupling limit equilibrium analyses and real-time monitoring to refine a landslide survaillance system in Calabria (Southern Italy),
Natural hazards and earth system sciences (Print) 10 (2010): 2341–2354. doi_10.5194/nhess-10-2341-2010,
DOI: 10.5194%2Fnhess-10-2341-2010
Abstract
On 28 January 2009, a large debris slide was triggered by prolonged rainfalls at the ...
On 28 January 2009, a large debris slide was triggered by prolonged rainfalls at the southern suburbs of San Benedetto Ullano (Northern Calabria). The slope movement affected fractured and weathered migmatitic gneiss and biotitic schist, and included a pre-existing landslide. A detailed geomorphologic field survey, carried out during the whole phase of mobilization, allowed to recognize the evolution of the phenomenon. A set of datum points was located along the borders of the landslide and frequent hand-made measurements of surface displacements were performed. Since 11 February, a basic real-time monitoring system of meteoric parameters and of surface displacements, measured by means of high-precision extensometers, was also implemented.
Based on the data gained through the monitoring system, and on field surveying, a basic support system for emergency management could be defined since the first phases of activation of the phenomenon. The evolution of the landslide was monitored during the following months_ as a consequence, evidence of retrogressive distribution could be recognized, with initial activation in the middle sector of the slope, where new temporary springs were observed. During early May, the activity reduced to displacements of a few millimetres per month and the geo-hydrological crisis seemed to be concluded.
Afterwards, the geological scheme of the slope was refined based on the data collected through a set of explorative bore-holes, equipped with inclinometers and piezometers_ according to the stratigraphic and inclinometric data, the depth of the mobilized body resulted in varying between 15 and 35m along a longitudinal section. A parametric limit equilibrium analysis was carried out to explore the stability conditions of the slope affected by the landslide as well as to quantify the role of the water table in destabilizing the slope. The interpretation of the process based on field observations was confirmed by the limit equilibrium analysis_ the first activation of the landslide was, in fact, to be expected in the middle portion of the slope, provided that the groundwater levels approximate the ground surface in the same sector.
On 1 February 2010, another remarkable phase of landslide mobilization began, following a new period of exceptional and prolonged rainfalls. On 11 February, an abrupt stage of slope acceleration was observed, after further extraordinary rainfalls. The slope movement essentially replicated the phases of mobilization observed on 28 January 2009, thus confirming the results of the limit equilibrium analysis. Based on the outcomes of the parametric analysis, the support system for emergency management could then be tentatively refined on a more physical basis.
Fujisawa K.; Marcato G.; Nomura Y.; Pasuto A., 2010, Management of a typhoon-induced landslide in Otomura (Japan),
Geomorphology (Amst.) 124 (2010): 150–156.,
Abstract
Late in January 2004 slope instability evidence such as cracks and subsidence appeared on a ...
Late in January 2004 slope instability evidence such as cracks and subsidence appeared on a retaining wall
along National Highway 168, near Otomura (Nara Prefecture, Japan). This road plays a strategic role as a long
distance route for passenger vehicles and trucks, therefore detailed investigations and constant surveillance
have to be carried out in order to manage the induced risk situations. Sixmonths later, on August 10th, a large
landslide occurred due to heavy rainfalls related to typhoons #10 and #11 that hit Japan on the first week of
August. Field and aerial surveys of the site were carried out soon after the appearance of the first
geomorphologic evidence of landslide movements, and a monitoring system was immediately set up.
Landslide displacements have been measured since the early stage of movement and road traffic was strictly
controlled in order to minimize possible damage. This paper illustrates the effects of landslide activation and
the investigations carried out in order to assess landslide hazard and predict the time of failure. Suitable
methods for risk management oriented to increase the public safety and including risk control and crisis
mitigation acts are also discussed.
Winter, M. G., Dixon N., Wasowski J., Dijkstra T., 2010, Introduction to land-use and climate change impacts on landslides,
43 (2010): 1–5.,
Coccia S., Del Gaudio V., Venisti, N. Wasowski J., 2010, Application of Refraction Microtremor (ReMi) technique for determination of 1-D shear wave velocity in a landslide area,
Journal of applied geophysics 71 (2010): 71–89.,
Wall S., A. Hayes, C. Bristow, R. Lorenz, E. Stofan, J. Lunine, A. Le Gall, M. Janssen, R. Lopes, L. Wye, L. Soderblom, P. Paillou, O. Aharonson, H. Zebker, T. Farr, G. Mitri, R. Kirk, K. Mitchell, C. Notarnicola, D. Casarano, B. Ventura, 2010, Active shoreline of Ontario Lacus, Titan_ A morphological study of the lake and its surroundings,
Geophysical research letters 37 (2010): L05202. doi_10.1029/2009GL041821,
DOI: 10.1029%2F2009GL041821
Abstract
Of more than 400 filled lakes now identified on Titan,
the first and largest reported in ...
Of more than 400 filled lakes now identified on Titan,
the first and largest reported in the southern latitudes is
Ontario Lacus, which is dark in both infrared and
microwave. Here we describe recent observations including
synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images by Cassini's radar
instrument (l = 2 cm) and show morphological evidence
for active material transport and erosion. Ontario Lacus
lies in a shallow depression, with greater relief on the
southwestern shore and a gently sloping, possibly wavegenerated
beach to the northeast. The lake has a closed
internal drainage system fed by Earth-like rivers, deltas
and alluvial fans. Evidence for active shoreline processes,
including the wave-modified lakefront and deltaic
deposition, indicates that Ontario is a dynamic feature
undergoing typical terrestrial forms of littoral modification.
Notarnicola C., Ventura B., Casarano D., Posa F., Janssen M., 2010, Titan lakes_ characterization of physical properties by combined electromagnetic models of SAR and radiometric data,
42(1) (2010): 37–54.,
Wasowski J., Lamanna C., Casarano D., 2010, Influence of land-use change and precipitation patterns on landslide activity in the Daunia Apennines, Italy,
Quarterly journal of engineering geology and hydrogeology 43 (2010): 387–401. doi_10.1144/1470-9236/08-101,
DOI: 10.1144%2F1470-9236%2F08-101
Abstract
The historical variations in landslide activity are investigated in the Rocchetta S. Antonio
territory, where sown ...
The historical variations in landslide activity are investigated in the Rocchetta S. Antonio
territory, where sown fields cover 75% of the total area. The perception of the inhabitants is that
landsliding has increased in recent years, and climate change has been invoked as a case. However,
since 1865 annual precipitation has decreased c. 8% per century in southeastern Italy and local rainfall
data for the 1955-2008 period show high inter-annual variability with statistically uncertain trends. In the
same decades human alterations to the local environment were considerable. To demonstrate the
impacts of land-use changes, detailed landslide and land-use maps spanning the 1976-2006 period
have been constructed and the spatial-temporal changes in the context of the local precipitation
patterns have been analysed. It is shown that the frequency of landsliding in 2006 was 160% higher
than in 1976, even though both years were comparably wet. The sown fields increased by 46% from
1976 to 2006, and the landslide density was 55% higher on the new sown fields; that is, those cultivated
after 1976. Thus, the higher susceptibility to landsliding is linked to the land-use changes and especially
to the new ploughing for EU-sponsored wheat cultivation that has taken place on the steeper slopes.
S. Uthes; A. Piorr; P. Zander; J. Bienkowski; F. Ungaro; T. Dalgaard; M. Stolze; H. Moschitz; C. Schader; K. Happe; A. Sahrbacher; M. Damgaard; V. Toussaint; C. Sattler; F.J. Reinhardt; C. Kjeldsen; L. Casini; K. Müller, 2010, Regional impacts of abolishing direct payments_ An integrated analysis in four European regions,
Agricultural systems 104 (2010): 110–121. doi_10.1016/j.agsy.2010.07.003,
DOI: 10.1016%2Fj.agsy.2010.07.003
Abstract
The direct payment system of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provides income transfers to European
farmers. ...
The direct payment system of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provides income transfers to European
farmers. Recently, several countries including England and Sweden have advocated the elimination
of direct payments after 2013. The extent to which an elimination of direct payments would affect the
land use dynamics in Europe including impacts on structural change and the environment has not been
addressed in the existing literature. In this paper, we combine participatory methods, to analyze regional
preferences for functions and effects of agriculture, and farm-level modeling, to assess the impacts of
such a policy change on farm structures and land use intensities in four European regions located in Germany,
Denmark, Italy and Poland, each with different socio-economic and biophysical characteristics. In
each region, the entire farm population consisting of different farm types with different production orientations
and land management types was modeled under the presence and absence of direct payments
using a combination of agent-based and bio-economic modeling. We found that the initial characteristics
of the regions, such as the historical farm structure and regional site conditions, greatly influence the
impact of direct support elimination and cause regionally different development trends. The results for
the four regions were summarized in four specific storylines that emphasize how much the diversity
of European regions matters for future policy decisions. An explicitly regional focus is, therefore, argued
to be crucial to complement future policy analysis.
Katz O.; Reichenbach P.; Guzzetti F., 2010, Rock fall hazard along the railway corridor to Jerusalem, Israel, in the Soreq and Refaim valleys.,
Natural hazards (Dordr.) (2010).,
Pecci M., Pignotti S., Smiraglia C., Mortara G., 2010, Geomorphology of the central and frontal Rongbuk glacier area (Mount Everest, Tibet),
33(1) (2010): 79–92.,
Abstract
This report details the results of some recent geomorphological studies, surveys and mappings of the ...
This report details the results of some recent geomorphological studies, surveys and mappings of the higher parts of the northern (Tibetan) area of Mount Everest, along the Rongbuk glacier. Its retreat is causing extensive gravitational phenomena involving both ice/snow and rock/debris. At the same time, the spatial reduction and the retreat of the glacier tongues are promoting new conditions for superficial and supraglacial run-off, concentrated in the terminus area, generating a direct transition from glacial to paraglacial processes over short distance and time scales. The monitoring and mapping of processes and landforms, carried out in the field with GIS technology, provided early-control of survey data. The availability of digital data collected or specifically implemented (Digital Elevation Model or satellite imageries) and survey data, also in real time and at low-cost, made possible the reconstructionof the morphological evolution, as a «field pre-view», as well as providing a safe approach to field activity. The results of the surveys are presented as cartography and descriptions of processes and landforms, with particular attention to active geomorphological hazards, such as ice falls, rock/slope instability, small GLOFs (Glacial Outburst Floods) at ice termini and to consequent risk.
Turitto O., Baldo M., Audisio C., Lollino G., 2010, A LiDAR application to assess long-term bed-level changes in a cobble-bed river_ the case of the Orco River (North-Western Italy),
33(1) (2010): 61–76.,
Abstract
The technique of terrestrial or airborne LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) has recently provided many ...
The technique of terrestrial or airborne LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) has recently provided many topographic data at high accuracy and speed in various kinds of applications as urban planning, forest inventory, coastline protection, flood hazard forecast, glacier, avalanche and landslide monitoring. In the topic of fluvial investigations the LiDAR technique has provided useful information on river morphology. In particular, starting from a first Digital Terrain Model (DTM) generation, the following LiDAR surveys have allowed every smallest morphological adjustment to be assessed. They also allowed an accurate quantification of erosion and deposition processes which occurred in the river bed, deduced by an assessment of altimetric and volumetric changes, on a time scale of some days, some months or some years (short-term investigations). The great potential of the data acquired by LiDAR suggested a different and particular use_ to test a method which can provide an assessment of the incision occurred in a cobble-bed river on a time scale of the last 100 years (long-term investigation). The study case refers to the Orco River (906 km2 of drainage basin), an Alpine tributary of the Po River in North-Western Italy. Its channel morphology underwent a severe transformation above all in the second half of the 20th century, mainly due to human interventions. In a 25 km reach the channel width decreased down to 44% on average from 1954 to 1989 and the multi-thread original pattern turned towards the singlethread pattern. Moreover, the stereoscopic analysis of aerial photographs also showed vertical changes, induced by the river bed incision, but the lack of previous topographic data did not allow to quantify its extent. In 2003 a detailed DTM of the Orco River was generated by an airborne LiDAR acquisition. In addition to the present river course this DTM covered the surrounding floodplain with relic forms of the older channel positions. These forms are identified and dated thanks to historical maps and aerial photographs. This particular circumstance suggested the use of this DTM to test the method for the assessment of the occurred channel incision. In a selected river reach (3.5 km long) six topographic cross-sections were drawn so as to cross the present and the older river positions. The river incision was obtained as a difference between the recent and the previous mean levels of its bed. A bed level incision of 2.7 m on average came out; the maximum (more than 3 m) was found near a narrow bridge and the minimum (2 m) was found where the river had a wider space for its planimetric mobility.
D. Amitrano; M. Arattano; M. Chiarle; G. Mortara; C. Occhiena; M. Pirulli; C. Scavia, 2010, Microseismic activity analysis for the study of the rupture mechanisms in unstable rock masses,
Natural hazards and earth system sciences (Print) 10 (2010): 831–841. doi_10.5194/nhess-10-831-2010,
DOI: 10.5194%2Fnhess-10-831-2010
Abstract
Rockfalls are common instabilities in alpine areas and can cause significant damage. Since high mountains ...
Rockfalls are common instabilities in alpine areas and can cause significant damage. Since high mountains have been affected by an increasing number of these phenomena in the last years, a possible correlation with permafrost degradation induced by climate change has been hypothesized. To investigate this topic, a monitoring system, made of 5 triaxial geophones and 1 thermometer, was installed in 2007 at the Carrel hut (3829ma.s.l., Matterhorn, Northwestern Alps), in the frame of the Interreg IIIA Alcotra project n. 196 "Permadataroc". The preliminary data processing relates to the classification of recorded signals, the identification of the significant
microseismic events and the analysis of their distribution in time and space. The first results indicated a possible correlation between clusters of events and temperature trend, and a concentration of events in specific sectors of the rock mass. Research is still in progress. The recording of data for a longer period is planned to fully understand seasonal trends and spatial distribution of microseismic activity, and possible relations with permafrost degradation. Nevertheless, the preliminary observations prove that the monitoring system can detect noises generated by rock slope deformation. Once fully developed, this technique could become a helpful tool for early warning and preliminary stability assessments.
Arattano M., Conte R., Franzi L., Giordan D., Lazzari A., Luino F., 2010, Risk management on an alluvial fan_ a case study of the 2008 debris-flow event at Villar Pellice (Piedmont, N-W Italy),
Natural hazards and earth system sciences (Print) 10 (2010): 999–1008. doi_10.5194/nhess-10-999-2010,
DOI: 10.5194%2Fnhess-10-999-2010
Abstract
In the Piedmont Region (North-Western Italy), the regional authorities manage debris flow risk by following ...
In the Piedmont Region (North-Western Italy), the regional authorities manage debris flow risk by following the ideal sequence of steps that are generally pursued in land planning and civil protection activities. Complex procedures and methods are elaborated and widely discussed with politicians, economists and the general public. On the contrary, in emergency situations, civil protection agencies generally prefer the adoption of simple and flexible criteria. In this paper, a catastrophic debris flow event, that occurred in 2008 in Villar Pellice, is described in this perspective, after an analysis of the triggering rainfalls and of the effects on human life and properties. The availability of a series of personal accounts coming from people who witnessed the occurrences before, during and after the event has allowed us to analyse, in detail, the dynamics of the event. Thanks to these accounts, it has been possible to propose new guidelines for the planning of the emergency activities in areas that are potentially prone to similar impulsive phenomena.
Arattano M., Franzi L., 2010, On the application of kinematic models to simulate the diffusive processes of debris flows,
Natural hazards and earth system sciences (Print) 10 (2010): 1689–1695. doi_10.5194/nhess-10-1689-2010,
DOI: 10.5194%2Fnhess-10-1689-2010
Abstract
Debris flows generally propagate along steep mountain torrents with dynamics primarily governed by gravitational and ...
Debris flows generally propagate along steep mountain torrents with dynamics primarily governed by gravitational and frictional forces. Thus, debris flows modelling can be successfully performed through the application of kinematic models, which consider only the effects of slope and friction and neglect the remaining terms of the momentum equation. However, the diffusion processes that can be observed in the field, such as the spreading of the debris flow wave as it flows downstream, can not be theoretically predicted by kinematic models, since diffusion is a second-order process neglected in the kinematic approximation. In this paper, this issue is discussed and an application for both a generalized diffusion wave model and a kinematic model is proposed of a debris flow which occurred in an Italian instrumented torrent to identify, in a real case scenario, the effective value of the neglected terms in the kinematic approximation.
Trevisani S, Fabbri P., 2010, Geostatistical Modeling of a Heterogeneous Site Bordering the Venice Lagoon, Italy,
Ground water (2010): 614–623.,
Zanon F.; Borga M.; Zoccatelli D.; Marchi L.; Gaume E.; Bonnifait L.; Delrieu G., 2010, Hydrological analysis of a flash flood across a climatic and geologic gradient_ The September 18, 2007 event in Western Slovenia,
Journal of hydrology (Amst.) 394 (2010): 182–197. doi_10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.08.020,
DOI: 10.1016%2Fj.jhydrol.2010.08.020
Abstract
A Mesoscale Convective System in North-Western Slovenia produced up to 350-400 mm in 12 h ...
A Mesoscale Convective System in North-Western Slovenia produced up to 350-400 mm in 12 h on 18
September, 2007. The region impacted by the storm shows significant differences in climatic and geologic
properties at short distances. Owing to such variability, extreme flooding concentrated over the Selska
Sora watershed at Zelezniki (103.3 km2), outside the area which received the highest precipitation.
Hydrometeorological analyses of the storm are based on accurate analysis of C-band weather-radar
observations and data from a rain gauge network. Detailed surveys of high-water marks and channel/
floodplain geometry, carried out two months after the flood, are used for hydrologic analyses of the Selska
Sora flood. These include estimation of peak discharge at 21 sites. Unit peak discharges range from 5 to
7m3 s-1 km-2 in basins characterised by size up to approximately 25 km2. Higher unit peak discharges
(>10 m3 s-1 km-2), estimated in a few smaller basins, are influenced by intense sediment transport.
Observed rainfall, estimated peak discharges, and observer notes on timing of peak discharge are used
along with a distributed hydrologic model to reconstruct hydrographs at multiple locations. Examination
of the rainfall distribution and flood response shows that the extent and the position of the karst terrain
provided a major control on flood response in the region impacted by the storm. Use of the distributed
hydrological model together with the post-flood survey observations is shown to provide an accurate
description of the flood. Water balance and response time characteristics are examined for selected
catchments, showing that event runoff coefficient ranged between 17% and 24% for different catchments.
The quality of the peak discharge simulation at the 21 surveyed sites is substantially degraded when
using spatially-uniform rainfall over the area covering all the surveyed sub-catchments, mainly due to
rainfall volume errors introduced by using the spatially uniform value. On the other hand, the influence
of rainfall spatial averaging at the scale of the sub-catchments generally has a very limited effect on runoff
modelling, showing that rainfall spatial organisation was not able to overcome the catchment dampening
effect for this flood.
Perumal M., Moramarco T., Sahoo B., Barbetta S., 2010, On the practical applicability of the VPMS routing method for rating curve development at ungauged river sites.,
Water resources research 46 (2010). doi_10.1029/2009WR008103,
DOI: 10.1029%2F2009WR008103
Abstract
This paper presents a novel approach for enhancing the accuracy of the variable
parameter Muskingum stage ...
This paper presents a novel approach for enhancing the accuracy of the variable
parameter Muskingum stage hydrograph routing method proposed by Perumal et al.
(2007) for rating curve development at ungauged river sites having irregular cross sections.
The approach has been well tested for the reproduction of stage and discharge hydrographs
and for rating curve development at an ungauged section of the Tiber River in central Italy
considering two different natural channel reaches.
Brocca L.1; Melone F.1; Moramarco T.1; Morbidelli R.2, 2010, Spatial-temporal variability of soil moisture and its estimation across scales,
Water resources research 46 (2010). doi_10.1029/2009WR008016,
DOI: 10.1029%2F2009WR008016
Abstract
The soil moisture is a quantity of paramount importance in the study of hydrologic phenomena ...
The soil moisture is a quantity of paramount importance in the study of hydrologic phenomena and soil-atmosphere interaction. Because of its high spatial and temporal variability, the soil moisture monitoring scheme was investigated here both for soil moisture retrieval by remote sensing and in view of the use of soil moisture data in rainfall-runoff modeling. To this end, by using a portable Time Domain Reflectometer, a sequence of 35 measurement days were carried out within a single year in seven fields located inside the Vallaccia catchment, central Italy, with area of 60 km(2). Every sampling day, soil moisture measurements were collected at each field over a regular grid with an extension of 2000 m(2). The optimization of the monitoring scheme, with the aim of an accurate mean soil moisture estimation at the field and catchment scale, was addressed by the statistical and the temporal stability. At the field scale, the number of required samples (NRS) to estimate the field-mean soil moisture within an accuracy of 2%, necessary for the validation of remotely sensed soil moisture, ranged between 4 and 15 for almost dry conditions (the worst case); at the catchment scale, this number increased to nearly 40 and it refers to almost wet conditions. On the other hand, to estimate the mean soil moisture temporal pattern, useful for rainfall-runoff modeling, the NRS was found to be lower. In fact, at the catchment scale only 10 measurements collected in the most "representative" field, previously determined through the temporal stability analysis, can reproduce the catchment-mean soil moisture with a determination coefficient, R(2), higher than 0.96 and a root-mean-square error, RMSE, equal to 2.38%. For the "nonrepresentative" fields the accuracy in terms of RMSE decreased, but similar R(2) coefficients were found. This insight can be exploited for the sampling in a generic field when it is sufficient to know an index of soil moisture temporal pattern to be incorporated in conceptual rainfall-runoff models. The obtained results can address the soil moisture monitoring network design from which a reliable soil moisture temporal pattern at the catchment scale can be derived.
Moramarco T., Singh V.P., 2010, Formulation of the entropy parameter based on hydraulic and geometric characteristics of river cross section.,
Journal of hydrologic engineering 15 (2010): 852–858.,
Brocca L., Melone F., Moramarco T., Wagner W., Hasenauer S., 2010, ASCAT Soil Wetness Index validation through in-situ and modeled soil moisture data in central Italy.,
Remote sensing of environment 114 (2010): 2745–2755.,
De Waele J., Lauritzen S.E. & Parise M., 2010, On the formation of dissolution pipes in Quaternary coastal calcareous arenites in Mediterranean settings.,
Earth surface processes and landforms (Online) (2010).,
Del Prete S. (1); Iovine G. (2); Parise M. (3); Santo A. (1), 2010, Origin and distribution of different types of sinkholes in the plain areas of Southern Italy.,
Geodinamica Acta 23 (2010): 113–127. doi_10.3166/ga.23.113-127,
DOI: 10.3166%2Fga.23.113-127
Abstract
Sinkholes constitute a significant risk in many karst areas, and may even threat human safety. ...
Sinkholes constitute a significant risk in many karst areas, and may even threat human safety. Collapse sinkholes that occur catastrophically
without showing premonitory signs may result in severe economic losses and casualties. In the last years, research on sinkholes and related
detrimental effects has significantly increased in Italy, in the aftermath of remarkable events.
Aimed at analysing the peculiar conditions which lead to sinkhole occurrence in Southern Italy, a set of cases in the plain areas of Campania,
Apulia and Calabria is discussed. The considered regions show a wide variety of environmental conditions. In Campania, the plains are
underlain by alluvial deposits with intercalations of volcaniclastic sediments. Sinkholes are generally located along the Tyrrhenian margin
of the carbonate massifs or within intramontane Apennine basins. In Apulia, a flat and elongated peninsula, most of the cases occur on calcarenites
overlying limestone bedrock along the coast. In Calabria, one of the most seismogenic Italian regions, the surveyed cases seem to
be attributable mainly to earthquake-induced liquefaction.
The article provides a first glance on the variety of sinkholes in the plain areas of Southern Italy, to highlight the possibility of further subsidence
events in the considered regions, as well as in other comparable areas of the country.
