Purpose: On the 29th January 2019, a big landslide destroyed the north east side of the town of Pomarico, South Italy. The landslide activated even if there was a large bulkhead to protect the side of the town against possible failures. The bulkhead collapsed together with the main road of the urban center as well as of the upstream buildings, seriously damaging several other buildings. Such severe landslide was unexpected, therefore purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of the landslide and the reason of the collapse of engineering structure. This is intended to get further knowledge to be able to prevent these kinds of phenomena and to design more reliable engineering work. Methods: Several surveys were made to understand the characteristics of the landslide and its triggering factors. Geological and geomorphological investigations, with litho-stratigraphic reconstruction from boreholes, supplied the detailed landslide characterization, geophysical surveys provided important information related to 2D subsurface profiles organization and GB-InSAR monitoring were carried out to measures the displacements of post-landslide phase. It was also developed and hydrological analysis of the rainfall preceding the landslide and a critical analysis of the failure mechanism. Results: The geological and geomorphological setting of the site and the morphological characteristics of the landslide are presented. Geophysical and stratigraphic data, contributed to the detailed characterization of the unstable slope. The results of the investigations related to the interpretation of the complex failure mechanism and the reasons of the bulkhead failure, as well as an analysis of the singularity of the triggering factors are defined. Conclusions: This work presents the complex landslide occurred in Pomarico and focuses on the results of a multidisciplinary approach based on different investigation techniques. The integration of direct and indirect multiple surveys contributed to detail geomorphological characterization of the unstable slope. Moreover, the critical analysis of the failure mechanism allowed for obtaining information about the landslide evolution and behaviour. The study highlighted that the instability conditions were influenced by the prolonged seasonal rainfalls identifiable as the main triggering factor of the landslide. In addition, some issues of the design of the retaining engineering work were identified. Finally, special structural interventions are recommended to prevent possible new retrogressive evolutions of the landslide.
The case study of the big landslide of Pomarico (Basilicata, Southern Italy).
Filomena Canora;Francesco Sdao;
2023-01-01
Abstract
Purpose: On the 29th January 2019, a big landslide destroyed the north east side of the town of Pomarico, South Italy. The landslide activated even if there was a large bulkhead to protect the side of the town against possible failures. The bulkhead collapsed together with the main road of the urban center as well as of the upstream buildings, seriously damaging several other buildings. Such severe landslide was unexpected, therefore purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of the landslide and the reason of the collapse of engineering structure. This is intended to get further knowledge to be able to prevent these kinds of phenomena and to design more reliable engineering work. Methods: Several surveys were made to understand the characteristics of the landslide and its triggering factors. Geological and geomorphological investigations, with litho-stratigraphic reconstruction from boreholes, supplied the detailed landslide characterization, geophysical surveys provided important information related to 2D subsurface profiles organization and GB-InSAR monitoring were carried out to measures the displacements of post-landslide phase. It was also developed and hydrological analysis of the rainfall preceding the landslide and a critical analysis of the failure mechanism. Results: The geological and geomorphological setting of the site and the morphological characteristics of the landslide are presented. Geophysical and stratigraphic data, contributed to the detailed characterization of the unstable slope. The results of the investigations related to the interpretation of the complex failure mechanism and the reasons of the bulkhead failure, as well as an analysis of the singularity of the triggering factors are defined. Conclusions: This work presents the complex landslide occurred in Pomarico and focuses on the results of a multidisciplinary approach based on different investigation techniques. The integration of direct and indirect multiple surveys contributed to detail geomorphological characterization of the unstable slope. Moreover, the critical analysis of the failure mechanism allowed for obtaining information about the landslide evolution and behaviour. The study highlighted that the instability conditions were influenced by the prolonged seasonal rainfalls identifiable as the main triggering factor of the landslide. In addition, some issues of the design of the retaining engineering work were identified. Finally, special structural interventions are recommended to prevent possible new retrogressive evolutions of the landslide.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
