Rockfall runout, Mount Cimone area, Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy

Daniela Piacentini,Giulio Ercolessi,Marco Pizziolo,Francesco Troiani

doi:10.1080/17445647.2014.956154

Daniela Piacentini, Giulio Ercolessi + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2014.956154

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Abstract

Numerous mass movements of different typology characterize both mountainous and piedmont sectors of the Emilia-Romagna Region (Apennine chain, North Italy). Although a less spatially frequent landslide typology within the region, rock falls represent severe threats to buildings, roads and persons due to their high propagation velocity. This paper presents an extract of the Emilia-Romagna regional map of the rock fall runout areas at a scale of 1:25,000. The analysis of rock fall runout areas was based upon a three-dimensional morphological method (TDM). The zone presented in the Main Map encompasses the area surrounding Mount Cimone, in the Emilia-Romagna Region. The proposed regional map of rockfall runout is noteworthy for planning actions and strategies aimed at the prevention and reduction of landslide risk at a regional scale.

Highlights

The Emilia-Romagna Region, within the northern Apennine chain (Italy), is characterized by abundant and recurrent mass movements, among which rock falls are the most hazardous typology, even though less spatially recurrent (APAT, 2007)
The map is a useful tool for preliminary assessment at a regional scale for rockfall detachment points and their runout areas aimed at completing a landslide inventory map of the whole regional territory (SSGS – Regione EmiliaRomagna, 2013a)
The bedrock of the Mount Cimone area consists of Eocene-Miocene turbiditic terrigenous formations pertaining to the Tuscan Unit overlain by Creataceous-Miocene arenites, calcarenites, marls, and clays belonging to the Sub-Ligurian and Ligurian nappes (SSGS – Regione Emilia-Romagna, 2013b) (Figure 1 and Inset C in the Main Map)

Summary

Introduction

The Emilia-Romagna Region, within the northern Apennine chain (Italy), is characterized by abundant and recurrent mass movements, among which rock falls are the most hazardous typology, even though less spatially recurrent (APAT, 2007). As part of territorial planning these phenomena must be taken into account in order to evaluate possible threats. In this context, an assessment of rockfall runout areas was performed at a regional scale (SSGS – Regione Emilia-Romagna, 2014). TDM is practical and cost-effective to initially identify areas most prone to rock falls at a regional scale. TDM does not require a significant amount of input data and can lead to effective and reliable results The map is a useful tool for preliminary assessment at a regional scale for rockfall detachment points and their runout areas aimed at completing a landslide inventory map of the whole regional territory (SSGS – Regione EmiliaRomagna, 2013a)

The mount Cimone area

Materials and methods

Findings

Conclusions