An example of active DSGSD in the Carnian Alps (NE Italy)

Abstract

In the northern part of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Italy), in the Carnic Alps, above the Cercevesa stream, an active mass movement has been recently identified and classified as Deep Seated Gravitational Slope Deformation (DSGSD). The phenomenon covers an area of about 0.5 km2 and involves limestones overlying sandstones and mudstones. The most evident morphological feature of the Cercevesa DSGSD is a double-crested ridge on the top of the slope. The first measurements, recorded since June 2008, show a constant opening rate of about 58 cm/yr, a really rare value for gravitational phenomena in the Alps. To detect the triggering factor, geomorphological data, meteorological time series (rainfall, snowfall and temperature) and seismological data have been analyzed. The comparative analysis highlighted that the persistent rainfall of mid-November 1990 can be identified as the root cause of the phenomenon.