Geomorphological Features Research Articles

Long-term impacts of embankments on coastal marsh vegetation and carbon sequestration

Coastal marshes, encompassing saltmarshes and freshwater marshes, are important environments for carbon sequestration and coastal protection; however, they are at risk due to climate change, sea level rise and human activity. Freshwater wetlands sit inland of saltmarshes and are often characterised by high biodiversity and productivity. Increasingly, conservation efforts are focussed on freshwater habitats, sometimes even at the expense of saltmarshes, through the construction of defences and embankments. However, these sea defences have unintended consequences on both coastal freshwater and saltmarshes. In this study we investigate the implications of an embankment on a freshwater marsh and saltmarsh from Gibraltar Point, UK using a palaeoecological approach. A multiproxy approach was used on archives from the freshwater marsh and saltmarsh to reconstruct the marsh geomorphological characteristics before and after the embankment was built. In the Freshwater marsh our results show the development of a transitional marsh over the past 200 years with ecological and morphological changes mainly dictated by storm surges with some influence from the seawall installation (ca. 1880 CE). The Old Saltmarsh shows the succession of a mature saltmarsh including rising elevation and vegetation development with negligible impact from the embankment construction. Whilst sea defences contribute to potential future coastal squeeze, by truncating areas of valuable freshwater marsh and cutting them off from their external sediment supply, they create risk to future inundation by sea-level rise. Natural development into freshwater marshes habitats have a greater potential for more biodiverse and multifunctional ecosystems and improved carbon storage capacity whilst enhancing coastal protection.

Effects of different land-use types on soil detachment capacity in loess areas

Against the background of similar geomorphological characteristics and environmental temperatures, land-use types alter the soil detachment capacity (Dc) by changing soil properties and root traits. However, there is a lack of in-depth discussion regarding the response of Dc to land-use types in loess areas. The purpose of this study was to quantify the influences of different land-use types in loess areas on Dc, soil erodibility (kr), and critical shear stress (τc) and explore the key factors affecting Dc under runoff erosion based on the links between root traits and soil properties, and combined with PLS-SEM algorithm, a meta-model of Dc influence mechanism was established. Two hundred and seventy undisturbed soil samples were collected from six different land-use types and scoured under nine specific combinations of flow rate and slope (flow rate: 0.167–0.5 L s−1, slope: 10.5–20.8 %). The results showed that with the change in land-use type, Dc changed considerably. The average Dc of the shrubland was only 1/22 of that of the cropland. The change trend of kr was consistent with that of Dc, while the change trend of τc had no obvious regularity. The relationships between the root density parameters and Dc were simulated using the exponential function and Hill curve, respectively, and the predictive effect of the Hill curve was better than that of the exponential function. Compared with the other comprehensive hydraulic parameters, shear stress (τ) was Dc’s most effective predictive factor. Correlation and path analyses revealed that soil organic matter (SOM) and root length density (RLD) were the best indicators of Dc. Furthermore, a dimensionless Dc prediction model suitable for different land-use types was established based on τ, SOM, and RLD, and the model exhibited a high accuracy (R2 = 0.955, NSE = 0.911).

The contribution of remote sensing and geographic information systems to the morphometric study of six watersheds in the tindouf region (extreme south-western Algeria)

Understanding the hydrological system and improving water resource management requires a thorough analysis of the morphometric characteristics of watersheds. This study seeks to examine the hydrological and morphometric features of the water drainage network in the Tindouf region's numerous watersheds. A digital elevation model (DEM), which is an essential digital asset in GIS, was created using a 30 m resolution SRTM satellite image. The DEM model was then used to produce a map of the drainage network for the basins in the study area. Additionally, various hydrological and geomorphological features were extracted. This research is significant in promoting economic development and improving the quality of life of residents by establishing better resource allocation and water management, determining appropriate areas for urban development, infrastructure planning, tourism, and entertainment.

River plume identification through a deep-learning model: an innovative approach

ABSTRACT River plumes are complex physical phenomena that occur at the interface between riverine and marine systems. The lack of direct measurements of sediment concentration complicates the study of these geomorphological features, since the boundaries of river plumes are often gradual and unclear. Therefore, the identification and digitalization of river plumes is not simple and the methods applied in different study areas are not always objective and replicable. The aim of this work is to provide a valid approach based on a deep-learning model that uses Convolution Neural Network (CNN) layers for the digitalization of river plumes. We describe the methodology applied to implement the input dataset used for training the model, the errors obtained, and an application for a study area of about 300 km located in the Mediterranean. The model uses Sentinel-2 Level-1C images. The application of the model to a specific study area allowed us to understand the possibility of investigating these geomorphological features to obtain results in agreement with previous works. As a matter of fact, by using the red band as a proxy of sediment concentration, we were able to investigate the average behaviours of sediment dispersion along the coast and to extract innovative data related to specific events for the study of morphological characteristics such as dimension and direction.

Rockfall Mapping and Monitoring Across the Kalymnos Sport Rock Climbing Sites, Based on Ultra-High-Resolution Remote Sensing Data and Integrated Simulations

This manuscript presents a multidisciplinary study that proposes a methodology for delineating and categorizing vulnerability at rockfall risk areas to avoid human injuries and infrastructure damage caused by rockfalls. The presented workflow includes (i) classical geological mapping, (ii) the interpretation of high-resolution satellite data for observing the spatial distribution of fallen boulders, (iii) analytical hierarchy processing of spatial information within a Geographical Information System (GIS) platform, (iv) close-range remote sensing campaigns with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), and (v) integrated simulation of rockfall events. This methodology was applied to Kalymnos Island, which belongs to the Dodecanese Islands complex of the southeastern Aegean Sea in Greece. It is characterized by unique geomorphological features, including extensive vertical limestone cliffs that span the island. These cliffs make it one of the world’s most densely concentrated areas for sport climbing. The results highlighted the areas that the local authorities need to focus on and suggested measures for increasing the safety of climbers and infrastructure.

A probable ancient nearshore zone in southern Utopia on Mars unveiled from observations at the Zhurong landing area

The Chinese Mars rover Zhurong successfully landed in southern Utopia Planitia on Mars in May 2021. Previous research suggested a Hesperian ocean may have existed in the northern lowland on Mars. Recent research observed water-related features at the Zhurong landing site from in situ data. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive geomorphological analysis of the landing area using remote sensing data, supplemented by in situ observations, and unveiled features consistent with the existence of a nearshore zone in southern Utopia. Different types of water-related geomorphological features were separated by specific topographic contours, suggesting different types of marine environments. The area was subdivided into a foreshore highland-lowland transition unit, a shallow marine unit and a deep marine unit. In situ observations including sedimentary deposit rocks, water-related lamination features, and subsurface sedimentary layers, also indicate past water activities. Results suggested an evolution scenario of the nearshore zone in southern Utopia: (1) Flooding of the Utopia Planitia in Late Noachian around 3.65–3.68 Ga reached the foreshore unit; (2) formation of the shallow and deep marine units after the flooding was completed by about 3.5 Ga and 3.42 Ga in Early Hesperian, respectively; (3) gradual loss of subsurface volatiles during the Amazonian epoch.

Quantitative characterization of geomorphological and topographical features of debris-flow channels at the Alpe di Succiso mountain, Northern Apennines (Italy)

ABSTRACT This study combines the traditional method of geological and geomorphological mapping with a quantitative GIS analysis to examine landforms and debris flows channels. Using a high-resolution DEM (5 m) as a base, the geomorphological map highlights the various landforms around the Alpe di Succiso (Northern Apennines, Italy), including glacial and cryoclastic features, slope landforms and deposits due to gravity (particularly debris flow) and deposits due to running waters. The methodology applied to the channels is based on the geomorphometric parameters derived from the DEM, including Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI), Slope Angle, and Elevation extracted every 10 m along each channel and grouping the channels in four classes based on their lengths. Within each class, multiple ranking criteria were employed for the identification of channels showing anomalous or common patterns. Debris flow channels exhibit anomalous patterns in the geomorphometric parameters, indicating significant variations in their topographical characteristics..

MAGUS (Model for the Analysis of Geomorphological Urban Systems): From Conception to Validation on the Historic City Center of Turin (Italy)

This study introduces and tests the MAGUS (Model for the Analysis of Geomorphological Urban Systems), a GIS-based methodological framework designed to analyze the complex interplay between urbanization and natural landscapes. Focusing on the historical evolution of Turin city center (Italy), the research employs an interdisciplinary approach to examine how urban expansion has interacted with pre-existing geomorphological features. The study leverages historical documents, digitized and georeferenced within a cartographic space, to reveal the relationships between natural and anthropogenic landforms from the Roman period through the 20th century. A key innovation of MAGUS is the integration of Multi-Temporal Markers (MTM) and Volumetric Unit of Building (VUB), which enhances the accuracy of historical data analysis. The results demonstrate that urbanization significantly alters the natural landscape in the historic city center of Turin, where the stratification of urban expansion phases partially obscures the original landform. By overlaying topographical data with historical urban expansion maps, the research highlights the concealed geomorphological elements beneath Turin’s urban fabric. This interdisciplinary study not only contributes to the field of urban geomorphology but also provides a foundation for future research into the impacts of urbanization on natural landscapes, which is increasingly critical as urban populations continue to grow.

Environmental critical thresholds based on statistical analysis for modelling landslide susceptibility in Continental Basaltic Provinces

Abstract. The study aims to estimate the environmental critical thresholds using statistical approaches to understand the landslide conditioning factors that can trigger landslides in the Continental Basaltic Provinces a landslide-prone area, using as reference the landslides that occurred in an extreme rainfall event. The study area is a region that was the scene of an extreme hydrological event in January 2017, with an accumulated volume of rain of 163.9 mm in 8 hours, causing a widespread event of shallow planar landslides with more than 400 scars detected. Hydrological, anthropic, geological, geomorphological, and topographical features of this region were analyzed considering landslides and non-landslides samples set, and their influence in the event was carried out using the Frequency Ratio method, followed by Pearson's Linear Correlation Coefficient and Linear Regression. The results showed that this process helped us to understand environmental critical thresholds based on classes of conditioning factors that have a greater influence on rainfall-triggered landslide occurrences and, consequently, higher predictive capacity in the landslide susceptibility models with the same geoenvironmental parameters which is a valuable insight for risk management.

Development of a hybrid Karst Aquifer Vulnerability map by using geospatial and statistical tools. The case study of Ziria aquifer in Northern Peloponnese

Aquifer vulnerability assessment constitutes a crucial tool for the protection and sustainable management of groundwater resources, particularly in complex karst aquifers. This study conducted a detailed comparative analysis of two tailored and widely used vulnerability mapping methodologies, COP and PaPRIKa, to evaluate their performance within a Mediterranean karst groundwater system. The methods were employed for the development of a hybrid vulnerability map after geospatial and statistical analysis. Both COP and PaPRIKa were applied using a combination of geological, hydrological, and geomorphological aquifer characteristics that can potentially influence its vulnerability to contamination. While COP predominantly assigned Low and Very Low vulnerability values across the study area, PaPRIKa identified the Moderate class as dominant, suggesting a finer sensitivity to karst-specific features. To address potential biases in PaPRIKa, a single-parameter sensitivity analysis was performed, leading to adjusted weights and the development of a modified version, PaPRIKa-Mod. A quantitative comparison of all three methods highlighted the varying degrees of consensus and discord, with PaPRIKa and its modification showing the highest consistency, suggesting robust methodological integrity. Conversely, the comparison of COP with either version of PaPRIKa revealed a lesser yet notable concordance, underscoring their capacity to be integrated and their potential to complement each other in vulnerability assessments. Finally, a hybrid vulnerability map was developed from the integration of similar vulnerability classes, attributing the most vulnerable setting prevailing across all methods. The methodological approach that was followed is adaptable and can provide significant insights for vulnerability estimations across different regions and methodological concepts.

Innovative geological–geotechnical zoning framework for urban planning: Wuhan’s experience

Traditional methods for understanding geological conditions, such as borehole drilling and on-site tests, are often costly and impractical for extensive urban areas like Wuhan’s Main Urban Area. This study introduces an innovative geological–geotechnical zoning framework that utilizes limited data to overcome these challenges, essential for urban planning, underground space development, and construction design. We began by dividing the study area into four primary geological units based on geomorphological characteristics, using a novel method validated at four metro stations. Our approach incorporated data from 1544 geological boreholes to compile a comprehensive database, from which six typical stratigraphic profiles for each unit were identified. These profiles facilitated the estimation of potential layers and their corresponding geotechnical parameters, and the identification of subsurface hazards. The study resulted in a detailed engineering geological zoning divided into nine secondary units. Our analysis not only demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed criteria for geomorphological units in achieving more accurate and quantifiable outcomes but also shows the framework’s suitability for regions with complex sedimentary conditions. The resultant engineering geological zoning enhances understanding of geological risks, providing a foundation for safer and more sustainable urban development.

A new technique mapping submerged beachrocks using low-altitude UAV photogrammetry, the Altınova region, northern coast of the Sea of Marmara (NW Türkiye)

High-resolution aerial imagery captured from low altitudes enables the detailed reconstruction of the geomorphological features of submerged beachrocks and the quantification of their topographic complexity. These coastal deposits serve as vital indicators for estimating past sea-level positions and deformation, contributing to our understanding of climate and tectonic processes across various temporal and spatial scales. This study focuses on submerged beachrocks identified in the nearshore coastal area of Tekirdağ city (Altınova), and the existing knowledge regarding such geological formations is limited.Situated in the tectonically active western Marmara region, the coastal zone of The Tekirdağ-Altınova is influenced by the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ), which has significantly shaped the coastline over time. Utilizing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data, we successfully isolated submerged beachrocks from other coastal deposits, identifying them at depths of 2 m below current sea level and extending approximately 5 km along the coast. This identification was facilitated by integrating high-resolution aerial imagery with morphological analysis techniques, specifically employing structure-from-motion photogrammetry to generate a dense point cloud for bathymetric mapping.The utilization of cost-effective UAV imagery facilitated the efficient monitoring of beachrocks. Geographic information systems (GIS) and the TerraceM application were employed to analyze the high-resolution bathymetry data (with a 5 cm resolution), enabling the precise estimation of shoreline angles and associated errors. These shoreline angles, which correspond to the past sea levels high stand, were mapped using swath profiles oriented perpendicular to the isobaths. Our findings reveal that the majority of submerged beachrocks exhibit shoreline angles between ∼ −0.7 m and −1.1 m. This study presents innovative methodologies for mapping the height and spatial distribution of beachrocks, as well as for reliably estimating reliable uplift rates in the nearshore area of Tekirdağ-Altınova.

Peri-Urban Floodscapes: Identifying and Analyzing Flood Risk Areas in North Bhubaneswar in Eastern India

Peri-urban catchment areas are increasingly susceptible to floods due to rapid land use transformations and unplanned urban expansion. This study comprehensively examines flood vulnerability in the rapidly developing peri-urban areas of North Bhubaneswar, focusing on significant changes in Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) and hydrological dynamics from 2004 to 2024, utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. The analysis reveals substantial shifts in land use patterns, with the urban footprint expanding by 71.8%, cropland decreasing by 21.7%, and forest areas by 13.6%. These changes have led to increased impervious surfaces, resulting in higher surface runoff and decreased groundwater recharge, thereby exacerbating flood risks in the region. The GRID-based vulnerability analysis classifies 90 villages within the catchment area based on their vulnerability levels, identifying 20 villages as high-risk areas requiring urgent attention, 44 villages as medium vulnerable, and 26 villages as low vulnerable. These classifications are based on factors such as proximity to drainage networks, slope, geomorphology, and LULC characteristics, with areas near drainage channels and low-lying regions being prone to flooding. The analysis integrates multiple factors to provide a comprehensive assessment of flood risk, highlighting the need for sustainable land use planning, conservation of vegetated areas, and the implementation of advanced flood prevention strategies in the peri-urban areas. Extending this research to other fringe regions could offer further valuable insights, guiding flood prevention and sustainable development strategies for areas undergoing significant land use transformations to effectively mitigate future flood risks.

Comparing the evolution of debris-free and debris-covered glaciers during the end of the Lateglacial and the Holocene in Dudh Koshi basin, Everest region, Nepal

Debris-covered glaciers are very frequent geomorphological features in Khumbu Himal (Nepal). Rock debris on the glacier surface play a significant role in glacier-climate relationships and glacier dynamics. These effects may cause an asynchronous evolution of debris-covered glaciers compared to debris-free glaciers at a multicentennial to millennial scale. Here, we explore this hypothesis by documenting and comparing the multi-millennial Holocene evolution of a debris-free glacier, Sabai glacier, and two debris-covered glaciers, Dig and Huuku glaciers, from adjacent catchments in Dudh Koshi basin (Everest region, Nepal). To do so, we dated rock samples collected from moraine boulders on both debris-covered and debris-free glaciers using the 10Be cosmic ray exposure (CRE) dating method. 10Be CRE ages obtained from 41 moraine boulder samples provide time constraints from ∼13.5 ka to 0.1 ka. While at Dig (debris-covered) and Sabai (debris-free) glaciers, no moraines from the Lateglacial and the Early Holocene are preserved, debris-covered Huuku glacier evidenced a large glacier extent during the Bølling-Allerød and Early Holocene with two moraines dated respectively to ∼13.5 ka and 11 ka, synchronously with most debris-free and debris-covered glaciers in this region. These two glacier advances are concomitant with enhanced monsoon precipitation supporting a qualitative relationship. The absence of debris landforms in the main valley question the nature of Huuku glacier during the Bølling-Allerød and Early Holocene, which could have been either debris-free or covered by a thin debris layer only. During the Mid Holocene, significant differences are observed in the evolution of the two glacier types. The two debris-covered glaciers recorded a significant advance at ∼4.8 ka, synchronous with that observed on other debris-covered glaciers in Khumbu valley. However, such glacier advance during the Mid Holocene was not evidenced on debris-free glaciers in the Dudh Koshi valley. Such a Mid Holocene glacier advance may have a spatial signature with frequent cases reported from both types of glaciers in the western part of High Mountain Asia, which are however infrequent in the arid and semi-arid southern and north-eastern Tibet. During the Late Holocene, both types of glaciers evolved similarly again, with moraines spanning the last two millennia, including the Little Ice Age, concomitant with enhanced monsoon precipitation.

Ecological Capacity and Bioenergy Potential of Agrocenoses as a Way of Sustainable Agriculture

Background: Calculation of bioenergy potential and ecological capacity are promising methods for assessing the state of an agro-landscape, allowing us to promptly respond to changes in its sustainability. The article presents the results of soil research and calculation of bioenergy potential of the farm territory in the zone of dry steppe on chestnut soils. Methods: Assessment of anthropogenic load on agricultural landscape is based on ecological standards and point system of relative fertility. The determination of the ecological capacity by BEPT of an agrocenosis occupied by winter wheat and sunflower was carried out according to the method of V.M. Volodin, R.F. Eremina, N.F. Mikhailova. Determination of erosion and geomorphological characteristics of the research object was carried out using geoinformation technologies. The basis for creation of digital elevation model (DEM) is the data of radar survey of the Earth surface (SRTM4). Result: Soils of the research object have low and average humus content. Nitrogen level in the soil varies from very low to good; nitrogen availability in the fields is average. Provision with mobile phosphorus is average. Soil potassium content is mostly high. As a result of calculations, it was found that in the conditions of the dry steppe zone, the bioenergy potential of the agrolandscape area occupied by winter wheat is 2735.72 GJ/ha, sunflower-2647.4 GJ/ha. At the same time, the ecological capacity of the field occupied by winter wheat is 2764.6 GJ/ha and sunflower-2676.8 GJ/h.

Linking curve number with environmental flows: a novel approach.

Change in flow regime is one of the major reasons which influence the services offered by rivers and integrity of their aquatic ecosystems requiring certain amount of flow in the river known as environmental flow. In this study, the environmental flows described by Tennant's method are correlated with a very versatile index defined in terms of Curve Number (CN) that incorporates hydrometeorological and geomorphological characteristics of catchment. Parameter CN is commonly known to be closely related with catchment characteristics (viz., land use, soil type, etc.). The rainfall-runoff data of 17 catchments from five major Indian river basins (i.e., Brahmani-Baitarani, Godavari, Mahanadi, Mahi, and Narmada) of low flow season (October-June) are used to derive the relationship between percentage of average annual flow (%AAF) and CN. The %AAF is seen to increase linearly with increasing CN, and vice versa, for all catchments and the correlation (R) is found to be greater than 0.7 for 16 (out of 17) catchments. The correlation between %AAF and CN is maximum for Dhariawad (R2 = 0.899) and Baronda (R2 = 0.814) catchments, indicating excellent relationship between %AAF and CN, which can be useful for the environmental flow prediction based on catchment characteristics. The existence of such a relationship is further strengthened by the relation established between the standard normal deviate of CN and the Standard Flow Index (SQI), a variation of %AAF, using the same field data.

Monitoring Coastal Evolution and Geomorphological Processes Using Time-Series Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis: Application Between Cape Serrat and Kef Abbed, Northern Tunisia

The monitoring of coastal evolution (coastline and associated geomorphological features) caused by episodic and persistent processes associated with climatic and anthropic activities is required for coastal management decisions. The availability of open access, remotely sensed data with increasing spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions, is promising in this context. The coastline of Northern Tunisia is currently showing geomorphic process, such as increasing erosion associated with lateral sedimentation. This study aims to investigate the potential of time-series optical data, namely Landsat (from 1985–2019) and Google Earth® satellite imagery (from 2007 to 2023), to analyze shoreline changes and morphosedimentary and geomorphological processes between Cape Serrat and Kef Abbed, Northern Tunisia. The Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) was used to quantify the multitemporal rates of shoreline using two metrics: the net shoreline movement (NSM) and the end-point rate (EPR). Erosion was observed around the tombolo and near river mouths, exacerbated by the presence of surrounding dams, where the NSM is up to −8.31 m/year. Despite a total NSM of −15 m, seasonal dynamics revealed a maximum erosion in winter (71% negative NSM) and accretion in spring (57% positive NSM). The effects of currents, winds, and dams on dune dynamics were studied using historical images of Google Earth®. In the period from 1994 to 2023, the area is marked by dune face retreat and removal in more than 40% of the site, showing the increasing erosion. At finer spatial resolution and according to the synergy of field observations and photointerpretation, four key geomorphic processes shaping the coastline were identified: wave/tide action, wind transport, pedogenesis, and deposition. Given the frequent changes in coastal areas, this method facilitates the maintenance and updating of coastline databases, which are essential for analyzing the impacts of the sea level rise in the southern Mediterranean region. Furthermore, the developed approach could be implemented with a range of forecast scenarios to simulate the impacts of a higher future sea-level enhanced climate change.

Differences in distribution and characteristics of microplastics in sediments of the south-eastern part of the Gulf of Trieste

IntroductionThe Gulf of Trieste is prone to the accumulation of various pollutants and microplastics due to its geomorphological and hydrological characteristics. However, the distribution and sources of microplastics in this semi-enclosed area are poorly studied. The aim of our study was to determine the distribution and chemical composition of MP particles in the sediments of the Gulf of Trieste.MethodsIn this study, we collected 24 surface sediment samples using a Van Veen grab. Microplastics were extracted by density separation using NaCl. The size, shape, and color of the extracted microplastics were determined using an optical microscope, and the composition of the polymers was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.Results and discussionThe highest concentrations of up to 125 microplastic particles per 100 g dry sediment were found in coastal areas. Concentrations in the open sea were much lower, with an average of 3 particles per 100 g of sediment. Most of the microplastic was fibrous, made of polypropylene, 100–300 µm in size, and blue. This is the first study showing that microplastics are present in the sediments of the south-eastern part of the Gulf of Trieste. The findings suggest that microplastics exhibit a tendency to be retained within the sediment, leading to their accumulation primarily in a narrow coastal area rather than dispersing offshore. Our results will contribute to a better knowledge of the distribution and possible sources of plastics and microplastics in the Gulf of Trieste and even beyond in similar semi-enclosed marine areas.

Expansión urbana de Bahía Blanca: caracterización territorial del área periférica oeste de la ciudad

The city of Bahía Blanca is in full expansion and growth, which is why the need arises to carry out adequate planning and organized territorial ordering. In this way, prevent and/or mitigate consequences derived from the interaction of the land to be occupied and the civil works and land uses carried out there during its progress. Although there is data in the area on soil properties (surface and underground hydrology, granulometry, geomorphology, uses), an integrated study of them is necessary since their interrelationships define the behavior of the terrain. In this research, it is proposed to carry out the corresponding cartography using a GIS (Geographic Information System) based on the available data and new results obtained on land use and lithological, sedimentological and geomorphological characteristics of the studied terrain. This study is considered of interest for the area, which constitutes a possible expansion zone for the city. The software used allows results and data to be dumped in the form of layers and displayed simultaneously, carrying out an efficient study. In this way, providing the information to identify and characterize the suitability of the soil for engineering purposes, contributing to a responsible and sustainable urban expansion, avoiding geological risks. The combination of data through this methodology allows the analyzed parameters to be integrated, and in this way constitute a tool to predict the behavior of the terrain, establish guidelines for the management of urban expansion.

A Methodologic Approach to Study Large and Complex Landslides: An Application in Central Apennines

The evaluation of landslide hazards in seismic areas is based on a deterministic analysis, which is unable to account for various uncertainties in the analysis process. This paper focuses on the probabilistic local seismic hazard analysis and extends the results to the landslide hazard analysis to consider both the uncertainties of the ground deformations and the strengths. The work studies the areas between Nibbiano and Sant’Erasmo hamlets in the Camerino municipality located in central Italy, where all constructions present evidence of damage caused by both the seismic sequence of 2016–2017 and the slope instability. An exhaustive geological and geophysical investigation has clarified the geological, geomorphological, and hydrogeological characteristics of the area, enabling a new characterization of material stress-strain behaviour. The study reveals that the low stiffness of the debris covers, and their fair degree of permeability contribute to potential instability scenarios triggered by both intense rainfall and the effects of strong earthquakes. The goal was to utilize the results to support local urban planning because in-depth knowledge of the possible evolutionary scenarios of the slopes is fundamental to the management of the degree of danger for structures, especially for people. Moreover, it was shown once again how a multi-source approach, with different investigation techniques, cannot be ignored for the study of the evolution of complex landslides.