Pubblicazioni
Publications found: 7385
Complementing near-real time satellite rainfall products with satellite soil moisture-derived rainfall through a Bayesian Inversion approach
Massari, Christian; Maggioni, Viviana; Barbetta, Silvia; Brocca, Luca; Ciabatta, Luca; Camici, Stefania; Moramarco, Tommaso; Coccia, Gabriele; Todini, Ezio, 2019, Complementing near-real time satellite rainfall products with satellite soil moisture-derived rainfall through a Bayesian Inversion approach,
Journal of hydrology (Amst.) 573 (2019): 341–351. doi_10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.03.038,
DOI: 10.1016%2Fj.jhydrol.2019.03.038
Abstract
This work investigates the potential of using the Bayesian-based Model Conditional Processor (MCP) for complementing ...
This work investigates the potential of using the Bayesian-based Model Conditional Processor (MCP) for complementing satellite precipitation products with a rainfall dataset derived from satellite soil moisture observations. MCP - which is a Bayesian Inversion approach - was originally developed for predictive uncertainty estimates of water level and discharge to support real-time flood forecasting. It is applied here for the first time to precipitation to provide its probability distribution conditional on multiple satellite precipitation estimates derived from TRMM Multi-Satellite Precipitation Analysis real-time product v.7.0 (3B42RT) and the soil moisture-based rainfall product SM2RAIN-CCI. In MCP, 3B42RT and SM2RAIN-CCI represent a priori information (predictors) about the "true" precipitation (predictand) and are used to provide its real-time a posteriori probabilistic estimate by means of the Bayes theorem. MCP is tested across Italy during a 6-year period (2010-2015) at daily/0.25 deg temporal/spatial scale. Results demonstrate that the proposed methodology provides rainfall estimates that are superior to both 3B42RT (as well as its successor IMERG-early run) and SM2RAIN-CCI in terms of both median bias, random errors and categorical scores. The study confirms that satellite soil moisture-derived rainfall can provide valuable information for improving state-of-the-art satellite precipitation products, thus making them more attractive for water resource management and large scale flood forecasting applications.
Testing of observation operators designed to estimate profile soil moisture from surface measurements
Gao, Xiaodong; Zhao, Xining; Brocca, Luca; Pan, Daili; Wu, Pute, 2019, Testing of observation operators designed to estimate profile soil moisture from surface measurements,
Hydrological processes (Print) 33 (2019): 575–584. doi_10.1002/hyp.13344,
DOI: 10.1002%2Fhyp.13344
Abstract
The accurate estimation of profile soil moisture is usually difficult due to the associated costs, ...
The accurate estimation of profile soil moisture is usually difficult due to the associated costs, strong spatiotemporal variability, and nonlinear relationship between surface and profile moisture. Here, we used data sets from the Soil and Climate Analysis Network to test how reliably observation operators developed based on the cumulative distribution function matching method can predict profile soil moisture from surface measurements. We first analysed how temporal resolution (hourly, daily, and weekly) and data length (half year, 1 year, 2 years, and 4 years) affected the performance of observation operators. The results showed that temporal resolution had a negligible influence on the performance of observation operators. However, a leave-one-year-out cross-validation showed that data length affected the performance of observation operators; a 2-year interval was identified as the most suitable duration due to its low uncertainty in prediction accuracy. The robustness of the observation operators was then tested in three primary climates (humid continental, humid subtropical, and semiarid) of the continental United States, with the exponential filter employed as an independent method. The results indicated that observation operators reliably predicted profile soil moisture for most of the tested stations and performed almost equally well as the exponential filter method. The presented results verified the feasibility of using the cumulative distribution function matching method to predict profile soil moisture from surface measurements.
Integrating multiple satellite observations into a coherent dataset to monitor the full water cycle – application to the Mediterranean region
Pellet, Victor; Aires, Filipe; Munier, Simon; Prieto, Diego Fernandez; Jorda, Gabriel; Dorigo, Wouter Arnoud; Polcher, Jan; Brocca, Luca, 2019, Integrating multiple satellite observations into a coherent dataset to monitor the full water cycle – application to the Mediterranean region,
Hydrology and earth system sciences 23 (2019): 465–491. doi_10.5194/hess-23-465-2019,
DOI: 10.5194%2Fhess-23-465-2019
Abstract
The Mediterranean region is one of the climate hotspots where the climate change impacts are ...
The Mediterranean region is one of the climate hotspots where the climate change impacts are both pronounced and documented. The HyMeX (Hydrometeorological Mediterranean eXperiment) aims to improve our understanding of the water cycle from the meteorological to climate scales. However, monitoring the water cycle with Earth observations (EO) is still a challenge_ EO products are multiple, and their utility is degraded by large uncertainties and incoherences among the products. Over the Mediterranean region, these difficulties are exacerbated by the coastal/mountainous regions and the small size of the hydrological basins. Therefore, merging/integration techniques have been developed to reduce these issues. We introduce here an improved methodology that closes not only the terrestrial but also the atmospheric and ocean budgets. The new scheme allows us to impose a spatial and temporal multiscale budget closure constraint. A new approach is also proposed to downscale the results from the basin to pixel scales (at the resolution of 0.25 degrees). The provided Mediterranean WC budget is, for the first time, based mostly on observations such as the GRACE water storage or the netflow at the Gibraltar Strait. The integrated dataset is in better agreement with in situ measurements, and we are now able to estimate the Bosporus Strait annual mean netflow.
Near-Real-Time Flood Forecasting Based on Satellite Precipitation Products
Belabid, Nasreddine; Zhao, Feng; Brocca, Luca; Huang, Yanbo; Tan, Yumin, 2019, Near-Real-Time Flood Forecasting Based on Satellite Precipitation Products,
Remote sensing (Basel) 11 (2019). doi_10.3390/rs11030252,
DOI: 10.3390%2Frs11030252
Abstract
Floods, storms and hurricanes are devastating for human life and agricultural cropland. Near-real-time (NRT) discharge ...
Floods, storms and hurricanes are devastating for human life and agricultural cropland. Near-real-time (NRT) discharge estimation is crucial to avoid the damages from flood disasters. The key input for the discharge estimation is precipitation. Directly using the ground stations to measure precipitation is not efficient, especially during a severe rainstorm, because precipitation varies even in the same region. This uncertainty might result in much less robust flood discharge estimation and forecasting models. The use of satellite precipitation products (SPPs) provides a larger area of coverage of rainstorms and a higher frequency of precipitation data compared to using the ground stations. In this paper, based on SPPs, a new NRT flood forecasting approach is proposed to reduce the time of the emergency response to flood disasters to minimize disaster damage. The proposed method allows us to forecast floods using a discharge hydrograph and to use the results to map flood extent by introducing SPPs into the rainfall-runoff model. In this study, we first evaluated the capacity of SPPs to estimate flood discharge and their accuracy in flood extent mapping. Two high temporal resolution SPPs were compared, integrated multi-satellite retrievals for global precipitation measurement (IMERG) and tropical rainfall measurement mission multi-satellite precipitation analysis (TMPA). The two products are evaluated over the Ottawa watershed in Canada during the period from 10 April 2017 to 10 May 2017. With TMPA, the results showed that the difference between the observed and modeled discharges was significant with a Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of -0.9241 and an adapted NSE (ANSE) of -1.0048 under high flow conditions. The TMPA-based model did not reproduce the shape of the observed hydrographs. However, with IMERG, the difference between the observed and modeled discharges was improved with an NSE equal to 0.80387 and an ANSE of 0.82874. Also, the IMERG-based model could reproduce the shape of the observed hydrographs, mainly under high flow conditions. Since IMERG products provide better accuracy, they were used for flood extent mapping in this study. Flood mapping results showed that the error was mostly within one pixel compared with the observed flood benchmark data of the Ottawa River acquired by RadarSat-2 during the flood event. The newly developed flood forecasting approach based on SPPs offers a solution for flood disaster management for poorly or totally ungauged watersheds regarding precipitation measurement. These findings could be referred to by others for NRT flood forecasting research and applications.
Spatial-temporal variability of soil moisture_ Addressing the monitoring at the catchment scale
Dari, Jacopo; Morbidelli, Renato; Saltalippi, Carla; Massari, Christian; Brocca, Luca, 2019, Spatial-temporal variability of soil moisture_ Addressing the monitoring at the catchment scale,
Journal of hydrology (Amst.) 570 (2019): 436–444. doi_10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.01.014,
DOI: 10.1016%2Fj.jhydrol.2019.01.014
Abstract
Soil moisture plays a fundamental role in the mass and energy balance between the land ...
Soil moisture plays a fundamental role in the mass and energy balance between the land surface and the atmosphere, making its knowledge essential for several hydrological and climatic applications. The aim of this study is to extend the current knowledge of soil moisture spatial-temporal variability at the catchment scale (up to 500 km(2)). The main implication is to provide guidelines to obtain soil moisture values representative of the mean behaviour at the medium-sized river basin scale, which is useful for remote sensing validation analysis and rainfall-runoff modeling. To this end, 23 measurements campaigns were carried out during a time span of 14 months at 20 sites located within the Upper Chiascio River Basin, a catchment with a drainage area of about 460 km(2) in the Umbria Region (central Italy). The data set allowed the analysis of both soil moisture temporal stability and its dynamics. On the basis of statistical and temporal stability approaches, it was investigated how factors such as climatic regime and geomorphology influence soil moisture behaviour. For the investigated area, the spatial variability of soil moisture was higher in dry periods with respect to wet periods, mainly due to the rainfall pattern characteristics during different periods of the year. Soil moisture values recorded during wet periods showed a better correlation than those recorded during dry periods. The maximum number of required samples, to obtain the mean areal soil moisture with an absolute error of 3% vol/vol, was found equal to 12. The temporal stability analysis showed that during wet periods just one "optimal" measurement point can provide values of soil moisture representative of the catchment-mean behaviour, while during dry periods the number of "optimal" measurement points became equal to two. Therefore, at the adopted spatial scale the use of a single measurement point can lead to significant errors. From the perspective of soil moisture dynamics, the decomposition of the spatial variance showed that the contribution of the time-invariant component (temporal mean of each site) was predominant on respect to the total spatial variance of absolute soil moisture data, for almost the whole observation period. Results provided guidance to optimize soil moisture sampling by performing targeted measurements at a few selected points representative of the catchment-mean behaviour.
Predicting Rainfall and Runoff Through Satellite Soil Moisture Data and SWAT Modelling for a Poorly Gauged Basin in Iran
Fereidoon, Majid; Koch, Manfred; Brocca, Luca, 2019, Predicting Rainfall and Runoff Through Satellite Soil Moisture Data and SWAT Modelling for a Poorly Gauged Basin in Iran,
Water (Basel) 11 (2019): 594. doi_10.3390/w11030594,
DOI: 10.3390%2Fw11030594
Abstract
Hydrological models are widely used for many purposes in water sector projects, including streamflow prediction ...
Hydrological models are widely used for many purposes in water sector projects, including streamflow prediction and flood risk assessment. Among the input data used in such hydrological models, the spatial-temporal variability of rainfall datasets has a significant role on the final discharge estimation. Therefore, accurate measurements of rainfall are vital. On the other hand, ground-based measurement networks, mainly in developing countries, are either nonexistent or too sparse to capture rainfall accurately. In addition to in-situ rainfall datasets, satellite-derived rainfall products are currently available globally with high spatial and temporal resolution. An innovative approach called SM2RAIN that estimates rainfall from soil moisture data has been applied successfully to various regions. In this study, first, soil moisture content derived from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth observing system (AMSR-E) is used as input into the SM2RAIN algorithm to estimate daily rainfall (SM2R-AMSRE) at different sites in the Karkheh river basin (KRB), southwest Iran. Second, the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) hydrological model was applied to simulate runoff using both ground-based observed rainfall and SM2R-AMSRE rainfall as input. The results reveal that the SM2R-AMSRE rainfall data are, in most cases, in good agreement with ground-based rainfall, with correlations R ranging between 0.58 and 0.88, though there is some underestimation of the observed rainfall due to soil moisture saturation not accounted for in the SM2RAIN equation. The subsequent SWAT-simulated monthly runoff from SM2R-AMSRE rainfall data (SWAT-SM2R-AMSRE) reproduces the observations at the six gauging stations (with coefficient of determination, R-2 > 0.71 and NSE > 0.56), though with slightly worse performances in terms of bias (Bias) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) and, again, some systematic flow underestimation compared to the SWAT model with ground-based rainfall input. Additionally, rainfall estimates of two satellite products of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), 3B42 and 3B42RT, are used in the calibrated SWAT- model after bias correction. The monthly runoff predictions obtained with 3B42- rainfall have 0.42 < R-2 < 0.72 and-0.06 < NSE < 0.74 which are slightly better than those obtained with 3B42RT- rainfall, but not as good as the SWAT-SM2R-AMSRE. Therefore, despite the aforementioned limitations, using SM2R-AMSRE rainfall data in a hydrological model like SWAT appears to be a viable approach in basins with limited ground-based rainfall data.
Esperienze di monitoraggio delle colate detritiche nelle Alpi orientali italiane
Marchi Lorenzo
Cavalli Marco
Crema stefano, 2019, Esperienze di monitoraggio delle colate detritiche nelle Alpi orientali italiane,
Argini e colate detritiche_ modelli, sistemi di monitoraggio, sensori in fibra ottica e risultati del Progetto DOMINO, Padova, 15/05/2019,
Abstract
Contenuto della presentazione_
esperienze di monitoraggio delle colate detritiche come background per tecniche e metodi innovativi ...
Contenuto della presentazione_
esperienze di monitoraggio delle colate detritiche come background per tecniche e metodi innovativi sviluppati in DOMINO;
un richiamo sul contributo del monitoraggio in bacini attrezzati alla conoscenza dei processi ed allo sviluppo di misure di controllo.
Preface: Remote sensing for flood mapping and monitoring of flood dynamics
Domeneghetti A.; Schumann G.J.; Tarpanelli A., 2019, Preface: Remote sensing for flood mapping and monitoring of flood dynamics,
Remote sensing (Basel) 11 (2019). doi_10.3390/rs11080940,
DOI: 10.3390%2Frs11080940
Abstract
This Special Issue is a collection of papers that focus on the use of remote ...
This Special Issue is a collection of papers that focus on the use of remote sensing data and describe methods for flood monitoring and mapping. These articles span a wide range of topics; present novel processing techniques and review methods; and discuss limitations and challenges. This preface provides a brief overview of the content.
Estimating irrigation water use over the contiguous United States by combining satellite and reanalysis soil moisture data
Zaussinger, Felix; Dorigo, Wouter; Gruber, Alexander; Tarpanelli, Angelica; Filippucci, Paolo; Brocca, Luca, 2019, Estimating irrigation water use over the contiguous United States by combining satellite and reanalysis soil moisture data,
Hydrology and earth system sciences 23 (2019): 897–923. doi_10.5194/hess-23-897-2019,
DOI: 10.5194%2Fhess-23-897-2019
Abstract
Effective agricultural water management requires accurate and timely information on the availability and use of ...
Effective agricultural water management requires accurate and timely information on the availability and use of irrigation water. However, most existing information on irrigation water use (IWU) lacks the objectivity and spatiotemporal representativeness needed for operational water management and meaningful characterization of land-climate interactions. Although optical remote sensing has been used to map the area affected by irrigation, it does not physically allow for the estimation of the actual amount of irrigation water applied. On the other hand, microwave observations of the moisture content in the top soil layer are directly influenced by agricultural irrigation practices and thus potentially allow for the quantitative estimation of IWU. In this study, we combine surface soil moisture (SM) retrievals from the spaceborne SMAP, AMSR2 and ASCAT microwave sensors with modeled soil moisture from MERRA-2 reanalysis to derive monthly IWU dynamics over the contiguous United States (CONUS) for the period 2013-2016. The methodology is driven by the assumption that the hydrology formulation of the MERRA-2 model does not account for irrigation, while the remotely sensed soil moisture retrievals do contain an irrigation signal. For many CONUS irrigation hot spots, the estimated spatial irrigation patterns show good agreement with a reference data set on irrigated areas. Moreover, in intensively irrigated areas, the temporal dynamics of observed IWU is meaningful with respect to ancillary data on local irrigation practices. State-aggregated mean IWU volumes derived from the combination of SMAP and MERRA-2 soil moisture show a good correlation with statistically reported state-level irrigation water withdrawals (IWW) but systematically underestimate them. We argue that this discrepancy can be mainly attributed to the coarse spatial resolution of the employed satellite soil moisture retrievals, which fails to resolve local irrigation practices. Consequently, higher-resolution soil moisture data are needed to further enhance the accuracy of IWU mapping.
The Importance of a Dedicated Monitoring Solution and Communication Strategy for an Effective Management of Complex Active Landslides in Urbanized Areas
Giordan, Daniele; Wrzesniak, Aleksandra; Allasia, Paolo, 2019, The Importance of a Dedicated Monitoring Solution and Communication Strategy for an Effective Management of Complex Active Landslides in Urbanized Areas,
Sustainability (Basel) 11 (2019). doi_10.3390/su11040946,
DOI: 10.3390%2Fsu11040946
Abstract
Over the last decades, technological development has strongly increased the number of instruments suitable for ...
Over the last decades, technological development has strongly increased the number of instruments suitable for landslide monitoring. For large landslides, monitoring systems are organized in complex and multi-instrumental networks aimed at controlling several representative physical variables. The management of these networks is often a complicated task that must consider technological aspects, data-sets processing, and results publication. We developed a new hybrid system focused on capturing and elaborating data-sets from monitored sites and on disseminating monitoring results to support decision makers. With respect to other available monitoring solutions, we emphasized the importance of technological aspects and a correct communication strategy, which represents the last fundamental step for a correct use of collected data. Monitoring results are often published in a difficult and not user-friendly way because they are intended for technicians with adequate background. Such an approach may be inefficient, especially during emergencies, when also non-expert people are involved. Additionally, this system consists of early warning application, which integrates a threshold-based approach and a failure forecasting modeling. The presented approach represents a possible improvement for a more sustainable management of active landslides that could have a strong impact on population and infrastructures in particular in highly urbanized areas.
Detection and geometric characterization of rock mass discontinuities using a 3D high-resolution digital outcrop model generated from RPAS imagery – Ormea rock slope, Italy
Menegoni N.; Giordan D.; Perotti C.; Tannant D.D., 2019, Detection and geometric characterization of rock mass discontinuities using a 3D high-resolution digital outcrop model generated from RPAS imagery – Ormea rock slope, Italy,
Engineering geology 252 (2019): 145–163. doi_10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.02.028,
DOI: 10.1016%2Fj.enggeo.2019.02.028
Abstract
The use of a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) and digital photogrammetry is valuable for ...
The use of a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) and digital photogrammetry is valuable for the detection of discontinuities in areas where field mapping and terrestrial photogrammetry or laser scanner surveys cannot be employed because the slope is unsafe, inaccessible, or characterized by a complex geometry with areas not visible from the ground. Using the Structure-from-Motion method, the acquired images can be used to create a 3D texturized digital outcrop model (TDOM) and a detailed point cloud representing the rock outcrop. Discontinuity orientations in a complex rock outcrop in Italy were mapped in the field using a geological compass and by manual and automated techniques using a TDOM and point cloud generated from RPAS imagery. There was a good agreement between the field measurements and manual mapping in the TDOM. Semi-automated discontinuity mapping using the point cloud was performed using the DSE, qFacet FM, and qFacet KD-tree methods applied to the same 3D model. Significant discrepancies were found between the semi-automatic and manual methods. In particular, the automatic methods did not adequately detect discontinuities that are perpendicular to the slope face (bedding planes in the case study). These differences in detection of discontinuities can adversely influence the kinematic analysis of potential rock slope failure mechanisms. We use the case study to demonstrate a workflow that can accurately map discontinuities with results comparable to field measurements. The combined use of TDOM and RPAS dramatically increases the discontinuity data because RPAS can supply a good coverage of inaccessible or hidden portions of the slope and TDOM is a powerful representation of the reality that can be used to map discontinuity orientations including those that are oriented perpendicular to the slope.
LTER Northern Adriatic Sea (Italy) marine data from 1965 to 2015
Acri, Francesco, Bastianini, Mauro, Bernardi Aubry, Fabrizio, Camatti, Elisa, Bergami, Caterina, Boldrin, Alfredo, De Lazzari, Amelia, Finotto, Stefano, Minelli, Annalisa, Oggioni, Alessandro, Pansera, Marco, Sarretta, Alessandro, Socal, Giorgio, Pugnetti, Alessandra, 2019, LTER Northern Adriatic Sea (Italy) marine data from 1965 to 2015,
2019,
Abstract
The dataset contains observations for 21 parameters of abiotic, phyto and zooplankton data collected in ...
The dataset contains observations for 21 parameters of abiotic, phyto and zooplankton data collected in the Northern Adriatic Sea region (Italy). It relies on a Comma Separated Values file and it is composed by 108687 records. Due to its long temporal coverage, it is classifiable as Long Term Ecological data. Due to the long temporal coverage, the great part of parameters changed collection and analysis method in time. These variations are reported in the database. A long term dataset can be useful for multiple purposes. This dataset has been released under a research project focused on Open Science principles application to marine ecology.
Semi-Automatic System For Backward Determination Of Landslide Soil Parameters
Giulia Bossi (1), Giacomo Titti (1,2), Gianluca Marcato (1), and Alessandro Pasuto (1), 2019, Semi-Automatic System For Backward Determination Of Landslide Soil Parameters,
European Geosciences Union 2019 - General Assembly, Vienna, Austria, 7-12/04/2019,
Abstract
Back-analysis is widely used dealing with geotechnical problems. For landslide modeling, it is often used ...
Back-analysis is widely used dealing with geotechnical problems. For landslide modeling, it is often used to
select the most appropriate soil parameters based on monitoring data. It is generally strongly operator dependent
through a time consuming trial-and-error procedure. In literature, several methods was suggested to automatize
the optimization procedure but no one proposed an autonomous, objective method focused to support the operator
decision making.
Therefore, the main aim of this research was the implementation of a Decision Support System to support the
determination of the landslide soil parameters on the base of monitoring data.
From a group of admissible numerical solutions, representing the tri-dimensional models of the slope instability,
the optimal solution was evaluated minimizing the objective function during the optimization process. To increase
the interoperability between the operator and the optimization process, the problem was simplified converting the
multi-objective optimization problem into a single-objective optimization problem. The objective function was
reduced into consequential combination of two linear equations.
Generating a pool of possible numerical solutions through the permutation of soil parameters, the system selects
the best ten configurations by the evaluation of the intensities and directions similarity between the monitored and
simulated displacements.
The pool of the admissible solutions was automatically generated in FLAC3DTM as finite difference tridimensional models of the landslide analyzed.
In spite of the approach proposed is based on a well-known strategy, the procedure used to reach the landslide soil
parameters and the scope of the system are extremely innovative.
The configuration of the method into Decision Support System allows to reduce the operator biases and avoids to
provide a unique and thus questionable solution. Therefore ten best-fitting solutions are proposed by the system to
allow the operator selection of the preferred solution according to geomorphological evidences.
The case study selected for the first application of the Decision Support System was located in the North East
Italy. At date it is monitored by 3 GNSS benchmarks and 3 inclinometers. Therefore the analysis was based on the
divergence consistency of these 6 points.
The encouraging results so far obtained demonstrate the straightforwardness, scalability and robustness of the
method adopted. Moreover, the interactivity of the procedure highlights the focal point of the research to support
the decision making.
Physically-based assessment of the effects of climate change on landslide hazards in Central Italy
M. Alvioli, M. Melillo, F. Guzzetti, M. Rossi, E. Palazzi, J. von Hardenberg, M. T. Brunetti, S. Peruccacci, 2019, Physically-based assessment of the effects of climate change on landslide hazards in Central Italy,
EGU General Assembly 2019, pp. 1–1, Vienna, 7-12 Aprile, 2019,
Abstract
Potential effects on the stability of slopes due to climate change remains an open issue. ...
Potential effects on the stability of slopes due to climate change remains an open issue. For rainfall induced landslides,
the point consists in determining the effects of the projected changes in the duration and amounts of rainfall
that can initiate slope failures. We investigated the relationship between fine-scale climate projections obtained by
downscaling and the expected modifications in landslide occurrence in Central Italy, using a deterministic landslide
model within rainfall events extracted from measured and downscaled precipitation data.
We used rainfall measurements taken by 56 rain gauges in the 9-year period 2003-2011, and the RainFARM
technique to generate downscaled synthetic rainfall fields from regional climate model projections for the 14- year
calibration period 2002-2015, and for the 40-year projection period 2010-2049. Downscaled precipitation data
for the future scenario was obtained in RainFARM from WRF RPC4.5 model data. Using a specific algorithm, we
extracted a number of rainfall events, i.e. rainfall periods separated by dry periods of no or negligible amount of
rain, from the measured and the synthetic rainfall series. Out of the many thousands of extracted rainfall events,
we selected a subset of 50 representative events from the measured series, and a subset of 50 events from the
synthetic series for each decadal time period, amounting to a total of 250 events from the downscaled precipitation
data. Then, we used each of the selected rainfall events to force the Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-Based
Regional Slope-Stability Model TRIGRS v. 2.1. We analyzed the results in terms of variations in the rainfall
thresholds for the possible initiation of landslides, in the probability distribution of landslide size (area), and in
landslide hazard. Analyzing results in terms of rainfall thresholds and size distributions is a novel approach to
investigate the effects of climate change on landslide hazard, which allows to mitigate the uncertainties introduced
by the specific modeling chain adopted in this study.
Results showed that the downscaled rainfall fields obtained by RainFARM can be used to single out rainfall events,
and to force the slope stability model. Results further showed that while the rainfall thresholds for landslide occurrence
are expected to change in future scenarios, the probability distribution of landslide areas is not. We infer that
landslide hazard in the study area is expected to change in response to the projected variations in the rainfall conditions,
within the scenario considered in this study. We expect our results to contribute to regional investigations
of the expected impact of projected climate variations on slope stability conditions and on landslide hazards.
Landslide event inventory maps from satellite imagery with an automatic, topography-driven algorithm
M. Alvioli, A. C. Mondini, F. Fiorucci, M. Cardinali, I. Marchesini, 2019, Landslide event inventory maps from satellite imagery with an automatic, topography-driven algorithm,
EGU General Assembly 2019, pp. 1–1, Vienna, 7-12 Aprile 2019,
Abstract
We describe an automatic procedure for the classification of satellite imagery into landslide or no ...
We describe an automatic procedure for the classification of satellite imagery into landslide or no landslide categories,
aimed at preparing inventory maps for a landslide event. We devised a two-steps procedure, which requires
knowledge of the occurrence of a landslide event, availability of a pre- and post- event pseudo-stereo pair and a
digital elevation model. The first step consists in the evaluation of a discriminant function, applied to a combination
of well-known change detection indices tuned on landslide spectral response. The second step is devoted
to discriminant function classification, aimed at distinguishing the only landslide class, through an improvement
of the usual 'thresholding' method. The novel feature of the approach is represented by the use of slope units
as topographic-aware subsets of the scene within which we apply a multiple thresholding method to classify a
landslide class membership tuned on the sole landslide spectral response.
SUs are morphological terrain units, bounded by drainage and divide lines delineated in such a way that terrain
homogeneity is maximized within the units, and inhomogeneity is maximized across neighboring units. We obtained
SUs for our study area using the r.slopeunits specialized software. The software is adaptive, in that SUs
are delineated with varying sizes and shapes in different regions of the study area. SUs are particularly suited in
the present context, since they encompass areas with similar slope-facing direction (aspect), accounting for the
fact that locations located in regions homogeneously facing the same direction likely provide consistent spectral
response in satellite imagery.
The proposed method was tested in an area of about 1000 m2 in Myanmar, where torrential rainfall triggered extensive
landslides in 2015, which made the news due to the occurrence of the massive Tonzang landslide and the large
number of fatalities. Results of our automatic mapping were calibrated and validated against a landslide inventory
map prepared through photo-interpretation by expert geomorphologists. The numerical results of the comparison
of the automatic, multi-threshold mapping procedure with the ground-truth of the inventory map prepared by visual
interpretation reveal that the topographic-aware subdivision of the territory allows for a better classification performance
both than thresholding applied globally, or within a topographic-blind subdivision. This is particularly
true in the validation area, where the grid-based method shows little gain with respect to the global thresholding
method.
The method is fully automatic after site-dependent operations, required only once, are performed, and exhibits
improved classification performance with limited training requirements. We argue that the improved classification
performance and limited training requirements represent a step forward towards an automatic, real-time landslide
mapping from satellite imagery.
A Practical Workflow for an Open Scientific Lifecycle Project_ EcoNAOS
Minelli A.; Sarretta A.; Oggioni A.; Bergami C.; Pugnetti A., 2019, A Practical Workflow for an Open Scientific Lifecycle Project_ EcoNAOS,
Digital Libraries_ Supporting Open Science, edited by Manghi P., Candela L., Silvello G., pp. 209–221. Cham, Heidelberg, New York, Dordrecht, London_ Springer, 2019,
Abstract
This paper represents a review of the practical application, work done and near-future perspectives of ...
This paper represents a review of the practical application, work done and near-future perspectives of an open scientific lifecycle model. The EcoNAOS (Ecological North Adriatic Open Science Observatory System) project is an example of the application of Open Science principles to long term marine research. For long term marine research we intend here all the marine research projects based on Long Term Ecological Data. In the paper, the structure of the lifecycle, modeled over Open Science principles, will be presented. The project develops through some fundamental steps_ database correction and harmonization, metadata collection, data exploitation by publication on a web infrastructure and planning of dissemination moments. The project also foresees the setting up of a data citation and versioning model (adapted to dynamic databases) and a final guidelines production, illustrating the whole process in detail. The advancement state of these steps will be reviewed. Results achieved and expected outcomes will be explained with a particular focus on the upcoming work.
The Role of Water-Rock Interaction Processes in Soil Formation_ Geochemical, Mineralogical, Geomorphological, and Engineering-Geological Aspects
Apollaro C, Perri F, Borrelli L, Caloiero T, 2019, The Role of Water-Rock Interaction Processes in Soil Formation_ Geochemical, Mineralogical, Geomorphological, and Engineering-Geological Aspects,
Geofluids (Oxford. Print) (2019). doi_10.1155/2019/8453136,
Assessment of sediment connectivity in a Mediterranean catchment under different spatial scales and by using distinct approaches
Ben-Salem N., Cavalli M., Crema S., Lopez-Vicente, 2019, Assessment of sediment connectivity in a Mediterranean catchment under different spatial scales and by using distinct approaches,
EGU General Assembly 2019, Vienna (Austria), 7-12/04/2019,
Abstract
Sediment connectivity is an emerging property of geomorphic system. Connectivity within a catchment widely
depends on ...
Sediment connectivity is an emerging property of geomorphic system. Connectivity within a catchment widely
depends on its climatic conditions and morphological heterogeneities, and it is accurately influenced by the
anthropogenic (cropland, land use changes, infrastructures) alteration of the landscape (López-Vicente and
Álvarez, 2018). Sediment connectivity allows to characterize the structural properties of the landscape (topography,
soil roughness, drainage network) and, when considered, at a specific spatio-temporal scale, and in
combination with forcing processes (e.g., rainfall-runoff and sediment delivery), can perform as a useful tool for
an enhanced landscape management. The assessment of sediment connectivity through usable indices or models
is a major concern for the scientific community dealing with catchment/landscape management. In this context,
the present study evaluates two connectivity indices at distinct catchment scales_ (i) an aggregated and new index
of connectivity (AIC) developed by López-Vicente and Ben-Salem (2019) to integrate climatic and soil physical
data with topographic and land use information and (ii), an index of connectivity (IC) as expressed in Cavalli et
al. (2013). IC was computed using the available 'SedInConnect v2.3' software (Crema and Cavalli, 2018) and two
scenarios as weighting factor_ the topographic surface roughness and the land cover Manning's n values.
The study area is the Vero river catchment (380 km2) that is located in the Southern Pyrenees and within the Ebro
river basin (Huesca province, Aragon, NE Spain). The northern part of the catchment is sub-humid, mountainous
(deep and sheer gorges are frequent), and covered with forest, whereas the southern part, under semi-arid conditions,
has hilly and gentle topography, with alluvial terraces, and it is mainly devoted to agriculture (vineyards,
winter cereal, alfalfa, rape, olive and almond groves). Small villages and one village (Barbastro), and many roads
and trails appear along the catchment influencing the overland flow pathways. However, there is not any dam
that disrupts the permanent river flows. All input (e.g., LiDAR-derived DEMs) and output maps were generated
at 5 x 5 m cell size; except for those of a small headwater subcatchment for which 1 x 1 m data were obtained.
The analysis in the subcatchment study area aimed at evaluating the effect of different resolutions on indices
performance. Results of AIC were compared with those obtained with the two IC scenarios. The major differences
of the two approaches were clustered around different cover types and slope values in the different catchment
compartments. This can be ascribed to the climatic and soil information integration on the one hand, and to the
roughness/slope distribution of upper subcatchments on the other. Further analysis is needed at subcatchment scale.
Application of the Index of Connectivity in a Chilean catchment affected by volcanic eruption
Martini L., Picco L., Iroumé A., Cavalli M., 2019, Application of the Index of Connectivity in a Chilean catchment affected by volcanic eruption,
EGU General Assembly 2019, 7-12 April,
Abstract
The balance of energy, water, and sediment fluxes exerts control over forms and processes of ...
The balance of energy, water, and sediment fluxes exerts control over forms and processes of the landscape, and
it can be continuously affected by natural and/or anthropic disturbances. Large disturbances, such as volcanic
eruptions, are able to disrupt the links among different compartments of the system in which the fluxes take place.
Recently, sediment connectivity indices represent powerful tools to assess the potential sediment behavior in
post-disturbance scenarios, according to the structural properties of the geomorphic system itself.
The objective of the present research is to adapt and apply the Index of Connectivity in a catchment affected
by an explosive volcanic eruption, using a combination of field surveys and image classification techniques.
Moreover, a multi-temporal analysis, which relies upon open source data, was carried out. The area of interest is
located in southern Chile, where the Blanco River catchment suffered from the eruption of the nearby Chaitén
volcano (2008-2009). The river network was completely filled by a huge amount of sediments, causing the entire
floodplain's burial of several meters and the sudden widening of the active channel. Along the river corridor, as
well as on the slopes, the old-native vegetation was removed or largely damaged. Due to the multitude of factors
involved, the analysis of connectivity index was outlined through a workflow aimed at deriving a land cover-based
weighting factor, representing the impedance to the sediment fluxes. A compound of field observations and
satellite image classification techniques was used to implement the weighting factor derived from the Manning's
n coefficient for the overland flow. The base Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with a resolution of 12.5 m is freely
available on the web, as well as the Landsat images used (period 1999-2017) to derive the weighting factor.
The results showed a general increase of IC values throughout the catchment after the eruption mainly related
to the removal of vegetation, which facilitates the transfer of sediment fluxes. In addition, due to the widening
of the active channel, the sediment source areas became more connected to the channel network. Finally, the
combination of the land cover changes and active channel expansion promoted the increase of IC values all
over the Blanco River catchment. The use of satellite image classification along with field observations helped
the spatial characterization of structural connectivity in the densely vegetated study area. Nonetheless, further
improvements to involve also the functional connectivity can not be neglected, especially in such complex
environment.
Sediment Connectivity Index changes in an Andean catchment affected by two subsequent wildfires. Analysing the forest cover changes to improve the IC calculation.
Faes L., Picco L., Martini L., Cavalli M., Scalari C., Iroumé A., 2019, Sediment Connectivity Index changes in an Andean catchment affected by two subsequent wildfires. Analysing the forest cover changes to improve the IC calculation.,
EGU General Assembly 2019, Vienna (Austria), 7-12 April 2019,
Abstract
During the last decade, sediment connectivity has been widely used and studied in many topics ...
During the last decade, sediment connectivity has been widely used and studied in many topics related to physical
geography and geomorphology. It is defined as the degree of linkage of sediment fluxes between different
compartments of a system, and it can be considered as a useful approach to detect changes in sediment routing
also after large disturbances as, for instance, wildfires. In this study, the adaption and application of the Index
of Connectivity (IC) was carried out in the Chilean catchment of Rio Toro (11 km2). The Rio Toro catchment
was affected by two subsequent wildfires in 2002 and 2015, respectively. Wildfires can be considered as large
disturbances that lead significant geomorphological and hydrological changes mostly due to_ i) the alteration of
the vegetation cover, structure and typology; ii) the changes in soil structure and moisture and iii) the increase of
water repellence. In order to assess how the IC responds to these disturbances, two types of analysis have been
developed in the present study_ i) a multitemporal analysis from 2001 to 2018; ii) a short term analysis considering
only the 2015 wildfire. The former was carried out taking advantage from freely available Landsat Multispectral
Bands Image and Alos Palsar DEMs (resolution of 12.5 m), while the latter was based on Google Earth's Images
and UAV dataset collected in January 2019. Thus, in the first analysis, in order to detect the general dynamics
of forest cover and to compute a basic land use classification (i.e. bare soil, shrub/regrowth vegetation, native
forest), the calculation of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was performed. In the second analysis
instead, a supervised classification on high-resolution data allowed to obtain more detailed land use classification.
Furthermore, in order to determine the weighting factor in the IC model, different Manning's coefficients were
derived as a parameter of resistance to sediment flux, according to the land use characteristics. Preliminary
results demonstrated the applicability of this approach, permitting to better comprehend not only the changes in
qualitative terms (IC), as well as the predominant changes in forest cover defining the preferential source areas
that are also contributing in large wood recruitment from hillslopes to the channel network.
Trends in extreme precipitation for the alert areas of Calabria (southern Italy) using observation-validated satellite data
Roberto Coscarelli, Giulio Nils Caroletti, Tommaso Caloiero, 2019, Trends in extreme precipitation for the alert areas of Calabria (southern Italy) using observation-validated satellite data,
Geophysical research abstracts (Online) 21 (2019).,
Abstract
The use of validated gridded data in assessment procedures is of fundamental importance, as it ...
The use of validated gridded data in assessment procedures is of fundamental importance, as it allows to calculate
trends and changes not only at locations equipped with meteorological stations, but to whole regions. Using
validated data can help in developing a more precise risk assessment especially in regions with a complex
orography and sub-regional scale microclimates.
In this study, we have used the CHIRPS dataset, an observation-validated satellite dataset, to assess extreme
precipitation in the eight alert areas of Calabria (southern Italy). CHIRPS is a quasi-global gridded rainfall
dataset, spanning 50S-50N at all longitudes, incorporating 0.05 resolution satellite imagery with in-situ station
data starting in 1981 (Funk et al., 2015).
The Calabria region has been selected for this assessment study, as it is a challenging region with complex
orography, and with a high number of rain stations, used in previous gridded data validation studies. The CHIRPS
dataset was validated for Calabria for the 1981-2010 time period by means of the registrations of 79 rain gauges
of the Multi-Risk Functional Centre of the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection. Metrics used were
the mean error and standard deviation (Caroletti and Coscarelli, 2019). The alert areas were defined according
to the Directive "Sistema di Allertamento regionale per il rischio meteoidrogeologico ed idraulico in Calabria"
(Resolution of Regione Calabria Government n. 535 of November15th, 2017). Four areas are located on the
western side of the region, and four on the eastern side.
We investigated the changes in the number of extreme events and the values of extreme precipitation in
each area in the 1981-2017 time period.We considered extreme all precipitation events that occurred over the 99th
percentile threshold for the study period.
By using 5-years running means of precipitation at each satellite data cell, CHIRPS showed an increase in
the magnitude of extreme events for seven of the eight alert areas. The increase is especially strong in four areas
(the three southernmost eastern alert areas and the Lamezia Terme area in the west).
The number of extreme precipitation events, which also shows a growing trend, in contrast with the decrease
of precipitation days overall, can explain the slight growing trend in yearly precipitation for these same
areas over the 1981-2017 time period.
Validation of gridded observational and modelled rainfall data in Calabria (southern Italy)
Giulio Nils Caroletti, Roberto Coscarelli, Tommaso Caloiero, 2019, Validation of gridded observational and modelled rainfall data in Calabria (southern Italy),
Geophysical research abstracts (Online) 21 (2019).,
Abstract
Validation studies are of major importance in science, and climate data are no exception to ...
Validation studies are of major importance in science, and climate data are no exception to the rule. Metrics are
the common tools used to assess data accuracy; it is generally not possible to define generalized metrics, but
they must be tailored on the specific use of the evaluated dataset, on the variable used and on the regions of interest.
Calabria (southern Italy) is a challenging area for rainfall studies, because of its complex orography and
high vulnerability to climate-change due to its position at the southernmost tip of Italy and in the center of
the Mediterranean basin. In this study, we have validated the skills in reproducing rainfall over Calabria of
the CHIRPS satellite data, of the E-OBS dataset and of 14 GCM-RCM combined models belonging to the
ENSEMBLES project set.
Rainfall data have been validated for the 1951-2010 time period by means of the registrations of 79 rain
gauges of the Multi-Risk Functional Centre of the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (Regione
Calabria). Metrics used were the mean error and standard deviation.
The results have shown that the skills of E-OBS, of most ENSEMBLES models, and of CHIRPS (whose
data are avilable only for the 1981-2010 validation period) are very similar. RCMs based on the ECHAM5
Global Climate Model showed slightly better results than both reanalysis and satellite data, both in mean error
and standard deviation error. There was no appreciable change in performance for any of the evaluated datasets
between the 1951-1980 and the 1981-2010 time periods.
The whole validation-and-assessment procedure, used in this work, is general and easily applicable to any
other region where ground data and gridded data are available. The procedure could be applied to develop a more
precise risk assessment in those regions with a complex orography and where there is an inadequate amount of
representative stations. This validation procedure could be a useful tool in support of policy makers and scientists
in decisions related to precipitation risks.
Integrated approach for the development across Europe of user oriented climate indicators for GFCS high-priority sectors_ agriculture, disaster risk reduction, energy, health, water and tourism (INDECIS)
Joan Ramon Coll, Enric Aguilar, Gerard van der Schrier, Roberto Coscarelli, Erik Engström,
Yolanda Luna, Sergio Vicente-Serrano, Petr Stepanek, Liliana Velea, Richard Allan, Ricardo
Trigo, Ali Nadir Arslan, Manuel del Jesús, Yvan Caballero, Patrick Fournet, Albert Soret, Hans van de Vijver, 2019, Integrated approach for the development across Europe of user oriented climate indicators for GFCS high-priority sectors_ agriculture, disaster risk reduction, energy, health, water and tourism (INDECIS),
Geophysical research abstracts (Online) 21 (2019).,
Abstract
Integrated approach for the development across Europe of user oriented
climate indicators for GFCS high-priority sectors_ ...
Integrated approach for the development across Europe of user oriented
climate indicators for GFCS high-priority sectors_ agriculture, disaster
risk reduction, energy, health, water and tourism (INDECIS)
Joan Ramon Coll (1), Enric Aguilar (1), Gerard van der Schrier (2), Roberto Coscarelli (3), Erik Engström (4),
Yolanda Luna (5), Sergio Vicente-Serrano (6), Petr Stepanek (7), Liliana Velea (8), Richard Allan (9), Ricardo
Trigo (10), Ali Nadir Arslan (11), Manuel del Jesús (12), Yvan Caballero (13), Patrick Fournet (14), Albert Soret
(15), and Hans van de Vijver (16)
(1) Centre for Climate Change-Rovira i Virgili University, (2) Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, (3) Consiglio
Nazionale della Ricerche - Istituto di Ricerca per la Protezione Idrogeologica, (4) Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological
Institute, (5) Agencia Estatal de Meteorología, (6) Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas, (7) Global Change Research Institute - Czech Academy of Sciences, (8) National Meteorological Administration
of Romania, (9) University of Reading, (10) Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências - Universidade de
Lisboa, (11) Finnish Meteorological Institute, (12) Environmental Hydraulics Institute - University of Cantabria, (13) Bureau
de Recherches Géologiques et Minières, BRGM / Water Division, (14) Department of the Environment, Community and
Local Government (Met Éireann), (15) Barcelona Supercomputing Center, (16) Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium -
Meteorological and Climatological Research
The INDECIS project (see www.indecis.eu ) includes 16 institutions from 12 countries and intends to maximize
the benefits achievable from the use of observational data across Europe to develop climate indicators
and climate services useful to assess the effects of climate variability, including extreme events, and climate
change over socioeconomic systems. INDECIS is starting its second year of work and has already produced its
first results. The project contributed to the ECA&D dataset by rescuing around 610K meteorological stationbased
daily observations from the Balkans and Central Europe for the different essential variables (maximum
and minimum temperature, rainfall, sunshine duration and snow depth) along the 20th century at daily scale.
(https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.896957). In addition, 339 climate series (rainfall and temperature)
were gathered from Italy and a Global Dataset with 311 wind tall mast data was also recovered. Next to DARE
activities, the focus moved to ensure data quality and homogeneity. First, three Quality Control (QC) software
suites have been created and are available to use as beta versions (http://www.indecis.eu/software.php): the INQC
software and the MetQC software, for the quality control of ECA&D daily data; and the QCSS4TT software built
specifically for tall masts wind data.
INDECIS has also created a set of daily benchmarks for testing quality control and homogenization methods and
software. Two benchmarks are available from the project's website (http://www.indecis.eu/benchmarking.php).
One of this Benchmark is based on KNMI Climate Regional model (RACMO) and a Real-Data based Benchmark
is created by combining close by stations to simulate real relocations. INDECIS has also produced a list of 136
climate indices and a software suite to compute them
(http://www.indecis.eu/indices.php). A list of indicators related to circulation variability have been catalogued to
inspect their relations with the computed indices and a new software suite for datasets inter-comparison is under
development to examine the strengths and weaknesses of different gridded, reanalyzed and modeled datasets. INDECIS
is now engaging with potential users to promote a series of workshops to present and co-develop products
and services.
In the presentation, an overview of INDECIS activities and results are given.
The Project INDECIS started in September 2017 and will last 36 months. It is part of ERA4CS, an ERA-NET
initiated by JPI Climate, and funded by FORMAS (SE), DLR (DE), BMWFW (AT), IFD (DK), MINECO (ES),
ANR (FR) with co-funding by the European Union (Grant 690462).
Social Perception of Geo-Hydrological Risk in the Context of Urban Disaster Risk Reduction_ A Comparison between Experts and Population in an Area of Southern Italy
Loredana Antronico (1), Roberto Coscarelli (1), Francesco De Pascale (1), Francesca Condino (2), 2019, Social Perception of Geo-Hydrological Risk in the Context of Urban Disaster Risk Reduction_ A Comparison between Experts and Population in an Area of Southern Italy,
Sustainability (Basel) (2019). doi_10.3390/su11072061,
DOI: 10.3390%2Fsu11072061
Abstract
The perception of risk is influenced by how the signals about impacts of events are ...
The perception of risk is influenced by how the signals about impacts of events are collected, selected, and interpreted. Empirical data suggest that significant differences in the perception of risk occur within the non-expert population itself, as well as between experts and non-expert population. The paper seeks to examine the risk perception of citizens living in an area subject to high hydro-geological risk of Calabria (Southern Italy), and understanding if local policy makers are aware of how local residents perceive risk. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to analyze the perception of experts, stakeholders and citizens on the following research topics_ (i) perception of geohydrological risk, involvement in past events and behavior exhibited; (ii) information, communication, preparedness, and feeling of safety and trust. The results of the survey showed the communication gap between experts and people, evidencing the need for local authorities and experts to disseminate the culture of awareness on the risk and to increase the safety level of the citizens by means of participated actions aimed at reducing urban disaster risk.
The role of the hydrogeological and anthropogenic factors on the environmental equilibrium of the Ugento Wetland (Southern Italy)
Giorgio De Giorgio (a), Livia Emanuela Zuffianò (a) & Maurizio Polemio (a), 2019, The role of the hydrogeological and anthropogenic factors on the environmental equilibrium of the Ugento Wetland (Southern Italy),
Rendiconti online Società Geologica Italiana 47 (2019): 79–84. doi_10.3301/ROL.2019.15,
Abstract
The Ugento Wetland, recognized as a Site of Community
Importance (SCI, European Directive 92/43/CEE) from 2005, ...
The Ugento Wetland, recognized as a Site of Community
Importance (SCI, European Directive 92/43/CEE) from 2005, is a
"Regional natural littoral Park" from 2007. It includes some coastal
reclamation works. It is a Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem
(GDE); its environmental peculiarities are due to a complex
hydrogeological pattern and to a peculiar dynamic equilibrium
with sea, also due to the role of the wide coastal aquifer of Salento.
The main objectives of the present research is the definition of
the hydrogeological conceptualization to be integrated with the
knowledge of the physical environment, to be used as a basis for the
design of effective management of water resources to safeguard the
ecological and environmental equilibria, considering the relevant
impact of anthropogenic activities. The overlapping of geological and
hydrogeological factors and anthropogenic modifications is discussed
using selected indicators, with reference to two macro-indicators,
water and soil. The critical issues related to the human activities
potentially dangerous for the wetland environment, was considered
with the definition of guidelines for their mitigation, based on the
discussion of the indicators.
A hydrogeological study to support the optimized management of the main sea level aquifer of the island of Malta
Maurizio Polemio (a), Manuel Sapiano (b), Francesca Santaloia (a), Alessia Basso (a),
Vittoria Dragone (a), Giorgio De Giorgio (a), Pierpaolo Limoni (a), Livia Emanuela Zuffianò (a),
Mangion John (b) & Micheael Schembri (b), 2019, A hydrogeological study to support the optimized management of the main sea level aquifer of the island of Malta,
Rendiconti online Società Geologica Italiana 47 (2019): 85–89. doi_10.3301/ROL.2019.16,
Abstract
The Maltese Islands are located in the central Mediterranean area,
on the Malta-Sicily Platform. The archipelago ...
The Maltese Islands are located in the central Mediterranean area,
on the Malta-Sicily Platform. The archipelago consists of three main
islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, and several other small uninhabited
islets. Malta, the largest of the three islands, has an extent of 246 km2.
The aim of this paper is to describe the collaboration between CNRIRPI
and EWA (Energy and Water Agency of Malta) and the efforts to
upgrade the hydrogeological knowledge of the Malta Island, pursuing
the sustainable utilisation of groundwater resources. This will support
the water management activities for optimizing the use of Malta's
groundwater resources. Firstly, a review of the hydrogeological
environment of the aquifer systems has been undertaken, identifying
so some important data gaps that should be filled up. The eventual
groundwater body management tool to be developed under this
collaborative initiative will enable the formulation and testing of
updated groundwater exploitation strategies. These plans ensure the
protection of the groundwater bodies from regional and localized
sea-water intrusion, whilst taking full consideration of the potential
effects of climate change, including the variability of recharge, sea
level and seawater salinity.
Sentinel-1 SAR Amplitude Imagery for Rapid Landslide Detection
Alessandro C. Mondini, Michele Santangelo, Margherita Rocchetti, Enrica Rossetto, Andrea Manconi and Oriol Monserrat., 2019, Sentinel-1 SAR Amplitude Imagery for Rapid Landslide Detection,
Remote sensing (Basel) (2019).,
Abstract
Despite landslides impact the society worldwide every day, landslide information is inhomogeneous and lacking. When ...
Despite landslides impact the society worldwide every day, landslide information is inhomogeneous and lacking. When landslides occur in remote areas or where the availability of optical images is rare due to cloud persistence, they might remain unknown, or unnoticed for long time, preventing studies and hampering civil protection operations. The unprecedented availability of SAR C-band images provided by the Sentinel-1 constellation offers the opportunity to propose new solutions to detect landslides events. In this work, we perform a systematic assessment of Sentinel-1 SAR C-band images acquired before and after known events. We present the results of a pilot study on 32 worldwide cases of rapid landslides entailing different types, sizes, slope expositions, as well as pre-existing land cover, triggering factors and climatic regimes. Results show that in about eighty-four percent of the cases, changes caused by landslides on SAR amplitudes are unambiguous, whereas only in about thirteen percent of the cases there is no evidence. On the other hand, the signal does not allow for a systematic use to produce inventories because only in 8 cases, a delineation of the landslide borders (i.e., mapping) can be manually attempted. In a few cases, cascade multi-hazard (e.g., floods caused by landslides) and evidences of extreme triggering factors (e.g., strong earthquakes or very rapid snow melting) were detected. The method promises to increase the availability of information on landslides at different spatial and temporal scales with benefits for event magnitude assessment during weather-related emergencies, model tuning, and landslide forecast model validation, in particular when accurate mapping is not required.
Groundwater resources at salinisation risk_ effects of climate and utilisation changes in the case of Apulian coastal aquifers (Southeastern Italy)
Domenico Casarano
Vittoria Dragone
Maurizio Polemio, 2019, Groundwater resources at salinisation risk_ effects of climate and utilisation changes in the case of Apulian coastal aquifers (Southeastern Italy),
Acque sotterranee 8 (2019): 53–57. doi_10.7343/as-2019-374,
Abstract
Seawater intrusion is the main cause of groundwater salinisation in Italy. The largest coastal aquifers, ...
Seawater intrusion is the main cause of groundwater salinisation in Italy. The largest coastal aquifers, highly vulnerable to salinisation, are in Apulia. For these aquifers, main changes in terms of climate change and utilisation are discussed together with piezometric trends, as the latter are relevant triggering factors for upconing and lateral seawater intrusion. For this purpose, time series from 1921 to 2016 concerning climate (rainfall and temperature), from 1965 to 2016 concerning groundwater availability (piezometric values), and recent periodic data on potable utilisation are discussed. Climate and groundwater availability trends at 2016 are compared with trends previously assessed, using the same dataset (1921-2001 for rainfall and temperature). The negative characteristic of rainfall 1921-2001 trend improved in the next years up to disappear in the assessment of rainfall 1921-2016 trend. Notwithstanding the improving of rainfall trend and the reduction of groundwater utilisation, both observed at 2016, the improvement of piezometric trends at 2016 is not enough to remove a prevailing decreasing trend, previously observed. The increases of temperature and effective evapotranspiration should be considered a relevant explanation of groundwater availability reduction. The consequence of these results should be quickly considered in the management of groundwater resources.
Heavy Rainfall Triggering Shallow Landslides_ A Susceptibility Assessment by a GIS-Approach in a Ligurian Apennine Catchment (Italy)
ROCCATI A., FACCINI F., LUINO F., CIAMPALINI A, TURCONI L., 2019, Heavy Rainfall Triggering Shallow Landslides_ A Susceptibility Assessment by a GIS-Approach in a Ligurian Apennine Catchment (Italy),
Water (Basel) (2019). doi_10.3390/w11030605,
DOI: 10.3390%2Fw11030605
Abstract
In recent decades, the Entella River basin (eastern Liguria) has been affected by several
rainfall events ...
In recent decades, the Entella River basin (eastern Liguria) has been affected by several
rainfall events that induced widespread shallow landslides and earth flows on the slopes; roads,
buildings, structures and infrastructure suffered extensive damage due to the instability processes. In
this paper, a GIS-based approach for analyzing and assessing a simplified landslide susceptibility
in the Entella River catchment is presented. Starting from landslide information mainly provided
from newspaper articles and unpublished reports from municipal archives, we performed a series of
comparative analyses using a set of thematic maps to assess the influence of predisposing natural and
anthropic factors. By evaluating the statistical distribution of landslides in different categories, we
assigned weighted values to each parameter, according to their influence on the instability processes.
A simplified, reproducible, but effective approach to assess landslide susceptibility in the study area
was performed by combining all predisposing factors. The resulting scores in proneness to slope
instability classes may be used to generate a simplified landslides susceptibility map of the catchment
area which would be easy to regularly update every time a rainfall event that is able to trigger shallow
landslides occurs; this would provide a useful tool for local authorities and decision makers for
identifying areas which could potentially be affected by instability processes, and would help in
determining the most suitable measures in land-planning and landslide risk management
Channel control works and sediment connectivity in the European Alps
Marchi L.; Comiti F.; Crema S.; Cavalli M., 2019, Channel control works and sediment connectivity in the European Alps,
Science of the total environment 668 (2019): 389–399. doi_10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.416,
DOI: 10.1016%2Fj.scitotenv.2019.02.416
Abstract
The need for reducing erosion and sediment transport, and protecting human settlements has urged the ...
The need for reducing erosion and sediment transport, and protecting human settlements has urged the construction of channel control works in mountain streams. Such works include different structures, the check dams being probably the most widespread and archetypical. The performance of channel control works in mountain streams has usually been evaluated based on their effectiveness in stabilizing the channels and the adjacent hillslopes, and in retaining sediment. The widespread presence of channel control works in mountain streams of various regions, however, has also a significant impact on hillslope-channel coupling and on sediment transfer across the channel system. Taking into account the impact of channel control works on sediment connectivity at the catchment scale has remarkable importance for planning new control structures and managing the existing ones and, more in general, for sediment management in mountain catchments. In this paper, we consider the channel control works within the conceptual framework of sediment connectivity and related terminology, and we analyze the spatial and temporal scales of the interactions between channel control works and sediment coupling-decoupling. Some examples from the Italian Alps outline the impact of check dams and other hydraulic structures on sediment connectivity and show the potential of geomorphometry in assessing such impacts. The overall effect of control works on sediment connectivity consists of an alteration of the sediment cascade with a decrease in the efficiency of sediment transfer. Sediment is partly retained behind grade-control dams within the catchment or in sediment traps equipped with retention check dams near the alluvial fan apex. These works contribute to decouple the alluvial fans from the upslope catchment. On the contrary, channel bed lining on alluvial fans favors sediment transfer to the receiving river, but this effect usually involves small amounts of sediment not retained by the check dams built upstream.
12 Marzo 1989_ oggi nacque il WWW
Nigrelli G., 2019, 12 Marzo 1989_ oggi nacque il WWW,
2019,
Abstract
Senza esagerare, si può proprio dire che trent'anni fa nasceva un nuovo mondo. Infatti, nel ...
Senza esagerare, si può proprio dire che trent'anni fa nasceva un nuovo mondo. Infatti, nel mese di marzo del 1989, in uno dei laboratori del CERN di Ginevra un ricercatore ebbe un'idea geniale e diede vita a quello che tutti noi oggi conosciamo come internet. Da quel momento in poi il mondo e con esso l'uomo non sarebbero più stati gli stessi. Naturalmente l'idea geniale non si trasformò subito nell'internet di adesso. Il monitor piatto che stiamo guardando, il mouse senza fili che stiamo spostando, il tablet o lo smartphone che stiamo accarezzando, sono il risultato di un percorso di ricerca scientifico e tecnologico di cui oggi, 12 marzo 2019, si celebra il trentesimo anniversario della nascita.
Debris flows in northeastern Italy_ data collection and approaches for a preliminary debris-flow characterization at the regional scale
Cavalli M., Crema S., Trevisani S., Marchi L., 2019, Debris flows in northeastern Italy_ data collection and approaches for a preliminary debris-flow characterization at the regional scale,
Symposium "Climate Change and Natural Hazards", Padova, 25-26/02/2019,
Abstract
Debris flows are a widespread natural hazard in mountain catchments causing major damage when they ...
Debris flows are a widespread natural hazard in mountain catchments causing major damage when they intersect transport vulnerable elements at risk, including transport routes and urban areas. Climate change is expected to lead to an increase in the frequency and magnitude of those phenomena. It is thus fundamental to extend the collection of primary data on debris-flows occurrence and volume in order to evaluate the variations of debris-flow frequency and magnitude with time and, at the same time, provide new tools for the assessment of areas affected by debris flows and their spatial characterization.
This work presents the results of the analysis of date of occurrence and volume of a large dataset of debris-flows collected in the eastern Italian Alps. The occurrence, in the last forty years, of some high-magnitude debris flows characterized by the largest unit volumes of the dataset might be associated with current climate changes.
In order to deal with the observed increase in this processes in mountain environments, a simple and fast semi-automated procedure is proposed for the regional-scale identification of debris-flow prone channels and alluvial fans. The main aim is to develop a low data-demanding method for a preliminary mapping of potentially debris-flow affected areas to enable priority ranking of channels and alluvial fans at risk by debris flows. This approach has been validated by means of field checks and through its extensive application in the eastern Italian Alps.
Antropocene e Geoetica_ il caso-studio sulla percezione del rischio idrogeologico in Calabria (Italia)
Francesco De Pascale¹, Loredana Antronico², Roberto Coscarelli², Marcello Bernardo¹, Francesco Muto³, 2019, Antropocene e Geoetica_ il caso-studio sulla percezione del rischio idrogeologico in Calabria (Italia),
XXXII Congresso Geografico Italiano - L'apporto della Geografia tra rivoluzioni e riforme, pp. 73–81, Roma, 07-10/06/2017,
Abstract
Lo scopo di questo lavoro è analizzare i meccanismi di percezione del rischio idrogeologico in ...
Lo scopo di questo lavoro è analizzare i meccanismi di percezione del rischio idrogeologico in un tratto di costa del Tirreno meridionale (Costa degli Dei), situato in provincia di Vibo Valentia (Calabria, Italia). Un questionario strutturato misto è stato somministrato a 300 cittadini dei Comuni di Tropea, Parghelia e Zambrone, utilizzando la modalità di campionamento non probabilistico, a scelta ragionata. Sul tratto costiero sono presenti numerose conoidi alluvionali che, negli ultimi cinquant'anni, sono state oggetto di un significativo sviluppo urbano e nel triennio 2009-2011 hanno subito gli effetti di numerose colate di detrito e di alluvionamenti, causati da eventi piovosi anche non particolarmente eccezionali. Di conseguenza, oltre a molteplici danni alle strutture ed infrastrutture presenti nell'area, si sono verificate condizioni di alto rischio per la popolazione. Il lavoro di ricerca si inserisce nel quadro teorico della geoetica ed è sintomatico, altresì, dei processi culturali in atto nell'era dell'Antropocene.
Freeze-thaw cycles in the rocks of the Bessanese experimental site (Western Alps, Italy)
Viani C., Chiarle M., Merlone A., Musacchio C., Coppa G., Nigrelli G., 2019, Freeze-thaw cycles in the rocks of the Bessanese experimental site (Western Alps, Italy),
23rd Alpine Glaciology Meeting, Universität Innsbruck, Austria, 28 February - 01 March 2019,
Abstract
Freeze-thaw action induces both rock weathering and mass wasting, destabilizing rock and debris slopes in ...
Freeze-thaw action induces both rock weathering and mass wasting, destabilizing rock and debris slopes in high mountain regions. Matsuoka, in 1990, defines an Effective Freeze-Thaw Cycle (EFTC) as a fall below -2 °C of the rock surface temperature followed by a rise above +2 °C. Rock temperatures in alpine environments are strongly inuenced by slope inclination, slope aspect, local topoclimatic conditions (including seasonal snow cover), and thermal properties of the rock.
Frane e inondazioni_ aumenta il rischio geo-idrologico in Italia
Nigrelli G., 2019, Frane e inondazioni_ aumenta il rischio geo-idrologico in Italia,
2019,
Abstract
La popolazione italiana è sempre più esposta al rischio da frane e inondazioni. Da questi ...
La popolazione italiana è sempre più esposta al rischio da frane e inondazioni. Da questi fenomeni naturali ci si può e ci si deve difendere. Sentiamo il parere del Dott. Fausto Guzzetti, Direttore del CNR-IRPI.
Editorial to the topical collection “Learning from spatial data_ unveiling the geo-environment through quantitative approaches”
Trevisani S.; Cavalli M.; Golay J.; Pereira P., 2019, Editorial to the topical collection “Learning from spatial data_ unveiling the geo-environment through quantitative approaches”,
Environmental earth sciences (Print) 78 (2019). doi_10.1007/s12665-019-8129-z,
Mapping flood-related mortality in the Mediterranean basin. Results from the MEFF DB
1Freddy Vinet, 1Victoria Bigot, 2Olga Petrucci, 3Katerina Papagiannaki, 4Maria Carmen Llasat, 2Luigi Aceto, 3Vassiliki Kotroni , 4Montserrat Llasat-Botija, 2Angela Aurora Pasqua, 1Laurent Boissier, 5Joan Rosselló, 2019, Mapping flood-related mortality in the Mediterranean basin. Results from the MEFF DB,
12th HyMeX workshop, Split, Croatia, 20 - 24 May 2019,
Abstract
Recent events in Baleares Island (13 fatalities in October 2018 the 9th) and in southern ...
Recent events in Baleares Island (13 fatalities in October 2018 the 9th) and in southern France (15 fatalities in October 2018, 15th) show that flood related mortality still is of great concern in the Mediterranean countries facing to flash floods. The knowledge of the circumstances and the profiles of flood related fatalities is relevant : i) to measure the impacts of floods, ii) to assess prevention policies and iii) to improve prevention measures. The building of the MEditerranean Flood Fatalities (MEFF) database had been a first step to address flood related mortality in the Mediterranean basin (Petrucci et al., 2018). This Database put together flood fatalities knowledge for five Mediterranean regions/countries: Catalonia (Spain), Balearic Islands (Spain), southern France, Greece, Italy. The period covered goes from 1980 to 2018. Previous research showed the general features of flood related mortality through statistical analysis. But the raw data show strong discrepancies between regions/countries and periods regarding the number of fatalities and the profile of dead people. This presentation introduces a new step by including data in a GIS. Maps of mortality by countries and regions are presented at NUTS3 administrative unit level and then through a grid map. The mapping of a flood mortality index (number of death/year/Millions of inhabitants) shows a negative mortality gradient between the western basin and the eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea. Southern France seems to be the most hit region unless statistical series are not long enough. Mortality maps are then compared with potential drivers such as rainfall intensity (hazard) or population density in flood prone zone to explain geographical discrepancies in mortality index.
Ghiacciai: spietati indicatori del cambiamento climatico
Nigrelli G., 2019, Ghiacciai: spietati indicatori del cambiamento climatico,
2019,
Abstract
Le temperature aumentano e i nostri ghiacciai si restringono sempre di più. La velocità con ...
Le temperature aumentano e i nostri ghiacciai si restringono sempre di più. La velocità con cui questo avviene è impressionante. Ecco come vedere "al lavoro" il cambiamento climatico.
Report Semestrale del WP8- Definizioni di Procedure Metodologiche per l’analisi dell’instabilità costiera
Pagliarulo R., 2019, Report Semestrale del WP8- Definizioni di Procedure Metodologiche per l’analisi dell’instabilità costiera,
pp.1–4, 2019,
Abstract
Gli studi relativi alle procedure metodologiche per la valutazione delle instabilità costiere nel secondo semestre ...
Gli studi relativi alle procedure metodologiche per la valutazione delle instabilità costiere nel secondo semestre 2018 sono proceduti compilando un Data Base, con dati provenienti dagli archivi del Dipartimento della Protezione Civile della Regione Puglia su tutte le segnalazioni e gli eventi di crollo e/o franosi in genere che hanno coinvolto le coste rocciose pugliesi dal 2014 e i relativi provvedimenti posti in essere dalle autorità competenti quali i Comuni, le Province e la Regione Puglia. L'operazione, quindi, ha riguardato la ricognizione di eventi di crolli e/o instabilità varie che hanno coinvolto il DPC dal 2014, da quando cioè questo tipo di emergenze ha rivestito carattere di enorme rilevanza regionale a causa delle Ordinanze di Restrizione alla balneazione e di Interdizione agli accessi e fruizione di alcune aree costiere da parte delle Capitanerie di Porto.
Questa ricognizione è stata di grande importanza ai fini della localizzazione di alcune situazioni particolarmente complesse, della entità, frequenza dei tempi di ritorno, quindi episodi reiterati nel tempo anche legati alla estrema antropizzazione dovuta al turismo, sebbene il tempo di osservazione piuttosto breve (dal 2014) non permette una analisi esaustiva per questo tipo di fenomeni. Infatti i dissesti possono essere episodici e discontinui nel tempo e nello spazio in quanto possono costituire la risposta di masse rocciose molto fratturate ed erose a singole forti mareggiate.
Relazione Metodologica Preliminare per l’Analisi dell’instabilità costiera nella Regione Pugliese – ID : D08-02
Pagliarulo Rosa, 2019, Relazione Metodologica Preliminare per l’Analisi dell’instabilità costiera nella Regione Pugliese – ID : D08-02,
pp.1–20, 2019,
Abstract
Il documento illustra le attività scientifiche svolte nel 2018 nell'ambito del WP8 dall'Istituto di Ricerca ...
Il documento illustra le attività scientifiche svolte nel 2018 nell'ambito del WP8 dall'Istituto di Ricerca per la Protezione Idrogeologica (IRPI), Centro di Competenza (CC) del Dipartimento della Protezione Civile (DPC), nell'ambito del progetto dal titolo "Valutazione integrata di dissesti geo-idrologici nel territorio della regione Puglia, modelli interpretativi dei fenomeni e definizione di soglie di pioggia per il possibile innesco di frane superficiali" per la Sezione Protezione Civile della Regione Puglia.
In particolare, il Report, così' come previsto nella tempistica (diagramma di Gantt) dell'"Allegato Tecnico" ha come oggetto una Relazione Preliminare ai fini della "Definizione di un percorso metodologico per l'analisi dell'instabilità costiera della Regione Puglia "Individuazione delle tipologie di costa più frequenti in Puglia". In continuità con quanto descritto lo scorso anno nella Relazione D08-01 sulla distribuzione delle morfologie e litologie più diffuse lungo le coste pugliesi e dei cinematismi di crollo, nel presente Report vengono definite preliminarmente le metodologie di studio per la valutazione dell'instabilità costiera ai fini dell'individuazione delle aree più vulnerabili.
Gli ipogei in Puglia tra conservazione e innovazione
Calderazzi A., Pagliarulo R., 2019, Gli ipogei in Puglia tra conservazione e innovazione,
Geologia dell'ambiente 4 (2019): 343–347.,
Abstract
Nell'ambito delle tematiche relative alla progettazione del sottosuolo, oggetto anche di un PRIN (Programmi di ...
Nell'ambito delle tematiche relative alla progettazione del sottosuolo, oggetto anche di un PRIN (Programmi di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale) sono state individuate le linee guida per il recupero e la valorizzazione degli ipogei sia urbani che extraurbani ed è stato possibile formulare modelli di sperimentazione progettuale tenendo conto di tutte le variabili al contorno dovute alla complessità dei siti. Le forme del paesaggio pugliese sono variabili e disegnano un composito panorama geografi co nel cui ambito si distinguono diverse aree caratterizzate da peculiarità geomorfologiche delimitate da confini orografici. Essendo la Puglia costituita essenzialmente da depositi carbonatici caratterizzati da diffuse morfologie carsiche, è una delle regioni a più elevata densità di ipogei con alta valenza archeologica e storico- artistica, attualmente in stato di conservazione precario, per cui, in alcuni casi viene obliterata la lettura completa dell'insediamento stesso. Il patrimonio ipogeo, molto complesso e articolato, è basato su una pluralità di processi insediativi e culturali di epoche e connotazioni diverse, strettamente integrati nel tessuto edilizio attuale. Le ricerche svolte hanno riguardato, con approccio multidisciplinare e multiscala, le diverse problematiche relative alle tipologie di ipogei, analizzando la loro ubicazione, genesi, il sistema di integrazione con la città e il possibile recupero funzionale. Il metodo di indagine è stato di tipo deduttivo. A seguito dell'analisi effettuata mediante schedatura di siti presi in esame nel territorio di Gravina di Puglia, Palagianello e Monopoli, sono stati individuati alcuni ipogei signif cativi in funzione della genesi, tipologia, quota sul l.m.m., condizioni ambientali e climatiche e potenzialità di recupero al fine di sostenere al meglio la progettualità e ipotizzare una loro riconversione ad attività contemporanee. I modelli insediativi ipogei più comuni in base alla loro genesi sono di due tipi - quelli con sviluppo in verticale e quelli in orizzontale.
Se opportunamente valorizzate e messe in relazione con il livello stradale, le aree del sottosuolo possono contribuire attivamente allo sviluppo di spazi urbani e favorire la trasformazione del territorio in un ben più vasto
processo di controllo e rinnovamento della forma del paesaggio mediterraneo. La riqualifi cazione degli ipogei diviene proposta di fruibilità e uso di luoghi con funzioni diverse, attraverso un modo nuovo di vivere lo spazio tra quote fortemente differenti, tra esterno ed interno, tra spazi in luce e spazi in ombra, tra memoria e quotidianità.
Revealing minijet dynamics via centrality dependence of double parton interactions in proton-nucleus collisions
M. Alvioli(1), M. Azarkin(2), B. Blok(3), M. Strikman(4), 2019, Revealing minijet dynamics via centrality dependence of double parton interactions in proton-nucleus collisions,
European physical journal. C, Particles and fields (Print) 79 (2019): 1–9. doi_10.1140/epjc/s10052-019-6998-7,
DOI: 10.1140%2Fepjc%2Fs10052-019-6998-7
Abstract
One of the main challenges hampering an accurate measurement of the double parton scattering (DPS) ...
One of the main challenges hampering an accurate measurement of the double parton scattering (DPS) cross sections is the difficulty in separating the DPS from the leading twist (LT) contributions. We argue that such a separation can be achieved, and cross section of DPS measured, in proton--nucleus scattering by exploiting the different centrality dependence of DPS and LT processes. We developed a Monte Carlo implementation of the DPS processes which includes realistic nucleon--nucleon (NN) correlations in nuclei, and an accurate description of transverse geometry of both hard and soft NN collisions. Our method allows the calculation of probability distributions of single and double dijet events as a function of centrality, also distinguishing double hard scatterings originating from a single target nucleon and from two different nucleons. We present numerical results for the rate of DPS as a function of centrality, which relates the number of wounded nucleons and the sum of transverse energy of hadrons produced at large negative (along the nucleus direction) rapidities, which is experimentally measurable. We suggest a new quantity which allows to test the geometry of DPS and we argue that it is a universal function of centrality for different DPS processes. This quantity can be tested by analyzing existing LHC data. The method developed in this work can be extended to the search for triple parton interactions.
Sediment Connectivity in Proglacial Areas
Cavalli M., Heckmann T., Marchi L., 2019, Sediment Connectivity in Proglacial Areas,
Geomorphology of Proglacial Systems, edited by T. Heckmann and D. Morche (eds.),, pp. 271–287, 2019,
Abstract
Sediment connectivity is an emerging property of geomorphic systems and has become a key issue ...
Sediment connectivity is an emerging property of geomorphic systems and has become a key issue in research on geomorphic processes and sediment cascades. Sediment connectivity represents coupling relationships between system compartments and elementary units, and thus its understanding has important implications for the behaviour of hydro-geomorphic systems. The investigation and characterization of sediment connectivity and its evolution through time are of particular importance in proglacial areas and high-mountain environments since they are subject to intense morphodynamics and frequent changes in their structure and subsequent variations in sediment connectivity. This chapter aims to review the state of the art of sediment connectivity in proglacial and high-mountain environments studies, provides a synopsis of the most widespread landforms in mountain headwater catchments and describes their role with respect to coarse sediment connectivity. In addition, a section of the chapter is dedicated to the description of a recently developed topography-based sediment connectivity index. An example application to two contrasting alpine glacier forefields shows the effectiveness of this index for investigating and interpreting spatial patterns of connectivity in high-mountain catchments. Finally, we sketch avenues for future research regarding sediment connectivity (not only) in proglacial systems.
The effects of land use and topographic changes on sediment connectivity in mountain catchments
Llena, M. and Vericat, D. and Cavalli, M. and Crema, S. and Smith, M.W., 2019, The effects of land use and topographic changes on sediment connectivity in mountain catchments,
Science of the total environment 660 (2019): 899–912. doi_10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.479,
DOI: 10.1016%2Fj.scitotenv.2018.12.479
Abstract
Understanding the evolution of sediment connectivity associated with different land use and topographic changes is ...
Understanding the evolution of sediment connectivity associated with different land use and topographic changes is a prerequisite for a better understanding of sediment budgets and sediment transport processes. We used the Index of Sediment Connectivity (IC) developed by Cavalli et al. (2013) based on the original approach by Borselli et al. (2008) to study the effects of decadal-scale land use and topographic changes on sediment connectivity in mountain catchments. The input variables of the IC (i.e. land cover and topography) were derived from historical aerial photos using Structure from Motion-Multi View Stereo algorithms (SfM-MVS). The method was applied in different sub-catchments of the Upper River Cinca Catchment (Central Pyrenees), representative of three scenarios_ (a) Land cover changes; (b) Topographic changes in agricultural fields (terracing); and (c) Topographic changes associated with infrastructure (road construction). In terms of land cover changes, results show that although connectivity is increased in some areas due to the establishment of new field crops, for most of the study area connectivity decreased due to afforestation caused by rural abandonment. Topographic changes due to the establishment of agricultural terraces affected connectivity to a larger degree than land cover changes. Terracing generally reduced connectivity due to the formation of flat areas in step-slopes, but in certain points, an increase in connectivity caused by the topographic convergence produced by terraces was observed. Finally, topographic changes associated with road construction greatly modified surface flow directions and the drainage network, resulting in changes in connectivity that may affect erosional processes nearby. The methodology used in this paper allows to study the effects of real decadal-scale land use and topographic changes on sediment connectivity and also evaluating and disentangling those changes. Furthermore, this approach can be a useful tool to identify potential risks associated with morphological and land use changes, involving road infrastructures. ? 2019 Elsevier B.V.
Little Ice Age glacial systems and related natural instability processes in the Orco Valley (North-Western Italy)
Lucchesi S., Bertotto S., Chiarle M., Fioraso G., Giardino M., Nigrelli G., 2019, Little Ice Age glacial systems and related natural instability processes in the Orco Valley (North-Western Italy),
Journal of maps (2019).,
Abstract
Glaciated and recently (post-Little Ice Age) deglaciated areas are very dynamic environments, undergoing continuous changes, ...
Glaciated and recently (post-Little Ice Age) deglaciated areas are very dynamic environments, undergoing continuous changes, in particular as a consequence of climatic fluctuations and cryosphere changes. The intense geomorphic activity that takes place here conditions natural hazard, sediment transport and tourist fruition. A geo-morphological mapping with applicative purposes has to take into account the peculiarities and the dynamism of these specific areas. We here propose a methodological approach based on the interpretation of a multitemporal set of aerial photos (from 1983 to 2012), in a GIS environment, with application to the sectors modeled by Little Ice Age glaciers in the upper Orco Valley (NW Italy). The result is a geo-morphological map focused on the elements that are most relevant for application purposes, complemented by a map of the spatio-temporal distribution of the natural instability processes identified in the study area for the reference period, aimed to highlight the recent dynamism of the geomorphological elements in the map.
Analysis of lateral sediment connectivity and its connection to debris flow intensity patterns at different return periods in the Fella River system in northeastern Italy
Schopper, N. and Mergili, M. and Frigerio, S. and Cavalli, M. and Poeppl, R., 2019, Analysis of lateral sediment connectivity and its connection to debris flow intensity patterns at different return periods in the Fella River system in northeastern Italy,
Science of the total environment 658 (2019): 1586–1600. doi_10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.288,
DOI: 10.1016%2Fj.scitotenv.2018.12.288
Abstract
A wide variety of issues are now being addressed using the concept of connectivity, which ...
A wide variety of issues are now being addressed using the concept of connectivity, which has initiated the development of various methods to assess a river's relationship to its catchment. This study tests two well-established methods, the Effective Catchment Area (ECA) and the Index of Connectivity (IC) in the study area of the Fella River in northeastern Italy, to gain an idea of their potentials, limitations and ability to represent connectivity patterns observable in the field. The results show that both methods provide largely agreeing outputs, which widely match field observations. Disagreement is mainly found where human-induced features, especially roads, encroach the rivers system. Focusing on a natural hazard background, the study furthermore approaches the issue of events of different frequencies and magnitudes and their representation in terms of connectivity. This is done by correlating debris flows at varying return periods with the IC, which seemed more fitting for this comparison due to the differentiation between different intensities of connectivity. Over the entire catchment, patterns of debris flow intensities (DFI) only agree weakly with the patterns of the IC, however, debris flows reaching the main channel show strong correlations with IC values. This can be traced back to the fact that connectivity focuses on a catchment's relationship with the river and does not include processes that happen in those parts of the catchment not directly linked to the main channel network. The IC is therefore able to represent patterns of processes reaching the main valley very well but cannot be used to explain or even predict the occurrence of processes that have no direct spatial connection to the river.
Rapid prediction of the magnitude scale of landslide events triggered by an earthquake
H. Tanyas (1), C. J. van Westen (1), C. Persello (1), M. Alvioli (2), 2019, Rapid prediction of the magnitude scale of landslide events triggered by an earthquake,
Landslides (Berl., Print) 16 (2019): 661–676. doi_10.1007/s10346-019-01136-4,
DOI: 10.1007%2Fs10346-019-01136-4
Abstract
The severity of earthquake-induced landslide-events can be quantified by the landslide-event magnitude, a metric derived ...
The severity of earthquake-induced landslide-events can be quantified by the landslide-event magnitude, a metric derived from the frequency-size distribution of landslide inventories. However, inventories for all earthquakes do not exist, because the preparation of a suitable inventory requires data, time and expertise. Prediction of landslide-event magnitude immediately following an earthquake provides an estimate of total landslide area and volume based on empirical relations, allows the assessment of the severity of a landslide-event in near real-time and to estimate the frequency-size distribution curve of the landslides. In this study, we use 23 earthquake-induced landslide inventories and propose a method to predict landslide-event magnitude. We select five predictors, both morphometric and seismogenic, which are globally and readily available. We use the predictors within a stepwise linear regression, validated using the leave-one-out technique. We show that our approach successfully predicts landslide-event magnitude values and provides results along with their statistical significance and confidence levels. However, to test the validity of the approach globally, it should be calibrated using a larger and more representative dataset. A global, near real-time assessments regarding landslide-event magnitude scale can then be achieved by retrieving the readily available ShakeMaps, along with topographic and thematic information, and applying the calibrated model. The results may provide valuable information regarding landscape evolution processes, landslide hazard assessments and contribute to the rapid emergency response after earthquakes in mountainous terrain.
Landslide inventory and main geomorphological features affecting slope stability in the Picentino river basin (Campania, southern Italy).
V. LUPIANO, V. RAGO, O.G. TERRANOVA, IOVINE G., 2019, Landslide inventory and main geomorphological features affecting slope stability in the Picentino river basin (Campania, southern Italy).,
Journal of maps 15 (2019): 131–141. doi_10.1080/17445647.2018.1563836,
DOI: 10.1080%2F17445647.2018.1563836
Abstract
The landslide inventory of the Picentino basin was realized at 1_25,000, with focus on main ...
The landslide inventory of the Picentino basin was realized at 1_25,000, with focus on main geomorphological features affecting slope stability. It is based on different sets of air-photos (scales 1_33,000-1:18:000, dated up to 1998, i.e. the age of the last major geo-hydrological event in the study area), and on field surveys. Among shallow landslides, channelized debris flows strongly prevail_ they originated as debris slides on moderately-steep slopes and propagated downslope, building detrital fans at the outlet of secondary basins along the valleys. Most sources can be found on 0.5-2 m thickness of regolith, and on 20-40° slopes in forests. Further sectors are affected by deeper slope movements of greater extent. These latter are, mainly, old complex earth slide-earth flows, followed by earth slides, and earth flows. Few rock falls can also be found in the mountainous sector of the basin. Items related to tectonics, erosion processes on slopes and along the valleys, and anthropized sectors are also mapped. Relevant predisposing factors to slope instability (lithotype, thickness of regolith, slope, and land use) are shown in 1_100,000 thematic maps. In addition, shallow landslides of the 1998 inventory were compared to those derived from two event-based inventories (PSAI 2002, PSAI 2011), realized by the regional Basin Authorities employing further flights (dated 1998-2005 at 1_13,000-1:10,000). Except for landslides triggered after 1998, discrepancies are mainly ascribable to types of employed air-photos, age of surveys, scale of mapping, and freshness of forms. Results remarked the relevance of suitable shallow-landslide inventories for susceptibility evaluations.
Debris-flow volumes in northeastern Italy_ Relationship with drainage area and size probability
Marchi L.; Brunetti M.T.; Cavalli M.; Crema S., 2019, Debris-flow volumes in northeastern Italy_ Relationship with drainage area and size probability,
Earth surface processes and landforms (Print) 44 (2019): 933–943. doi_10.1002/esp.4546,
DOI: 10.1002%2Fesp.4546
Abstract
A dataset of 809 debris flows that occurred in 537 basins in mountainous areas of ...
A dataset of 809 debris flows that occurred in 537 basins in mountainous areas of northeastern Italy between the mid-19th century and 2015 is collected and analyzed. A remarkable increase in the number of events is observed in the last four decades and is mainly ascribed to more systematic data collection. The correlation between debris-flow volume and drainage basin area is obtained assuming a power-law relationship. The exponent of the power-law curve at the 50th percentile (0.67 ± 0.02) indicates negative allometry, which means that basin area grows out of proportion to debris-flow volume. In contrast, the exponents at the 98th and 99th percentiles are close to one, implying that debris-flow volumes grow linearly with basin areas. The isometric relationship between the largest debris flows and the corresponding basin areas is due to the enhanced debris supply provided by the activation of widespread sediment sources, the extent of which is proportional to the basin size. The probability density function of debris-flow volume for a subset of the collected dataset is calculated using the kernel density estimation function, which permits estimating the probability of the occurrence of debris flows that exceed a given threshold volume. The comparison with debris flows in other hydroclimatic regions shows that, although debris-flow volumes in northeastern Italy may attain high values, they are often exceeded by debris flows that occur in seismically active regions and/or are triggered by more intense rainstorms. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spin-isospin correlated configurations in complex nuclei and neutron skin effect in W± production in high-energy proton-lead collisions
M. Alvioli(1), M. Strikman(2), 2019, Spin-isospin correlated configurations in complex nuclei and neutron skin effect in W± production in high-energy proton-lead collisions,
Physical review. C. Nuclear physics (Print) 100 (2019): 024912-1–024912-1. doi_10.1103/PhysRevC.100.024912,
DOI: 10.1103%2FPhysRevC.100.024912
Abstract
We extend our Monte Carlo generator of global configurations in nuclei to include different spatial ...
We extend our Monte Carlo generator of global configurations in nuclei to include different spatial distributions of protons and neutrons in heavy nuclei taking into account the difference of spatial correlations between two protons, two neutrons and proton-neutron pairs. These configurations are used for building an event generator for proton-heavy nucleus collisions at the LHC for final states with a hard interaction in the channels where cross section for p-p and p-n scattering differ. Soft interactions are taken into account in the color fluctuation extension of the Glauber algorithm taking into account the inherently different transverse geometry of soft and hard p-N collisions. We use the new event generator to test an interesting observation of Physics Letters B745 (2015) 73-78, that the ratio of W+/W- production rates in p-Pb collisions should significantly deviate from the inclusive value for peripheral collisions due to the presence of a neutron skin. We qualitatively confirm expectation of Physics Letters B745 (2015) 73-78, though for a realistic centrality trigger, we find the effect to be a factor of two smaller than the original estimate.
Data from https://intranet.cnr.it/people/
