Rock Avalanche Events Research Articles

More mass wasting activities reported in Sedongpu gully of Tibetan Plateau, China

Although the increase in the frequency of mass wasting events in the Sedongpu gully in recent years indicates that the Sedongpu gully has entered an intense mass wasting period, the current literature focuses only on ice‒rock avalanche events and lacks comprehensive knowledge of Sedongpu gully activity. To clarify the spatiotemporal distribution and scales of mass wasting events, we analysed multiple images from 1969 to present (including optical images and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images) and topography data from 2013 to present. Since 1969, there have been at least 19 obvious mass wasting events that can be divided into 3 subpatterns: ice‒rock avalanches (IRAs, 8 events), ice‒moraine avalanches (IMAs, 2 events), and glacier debris flows (GDFs, 9 events). Since 2017, the Sedongpu gully has entered the most active period, i.e. more than 68% of events occurred after 2017, and approximately 530 Mm3 and 185 Mm3 of materials were removed from mixtures of glacial and moraine (MGM) and glacial source areas (GSAs). Recent continuous warning states that the temperature of the Sedongpu gully area exceeded 0 °C from April to July 2012, and the 2017 Mw 6.4 Nyingchi earthquake was critical in the current intense erosion state.

Reconstruction of rock avalanche history in Val Viola, (Upper Valtellina, Italian Central Alps) through 10Be exposure ages, Schmidt Hammer R values, and surface roughness

We investigated the paraglacial evolution and permafrost degradation of Val Viola (Upper Valtellina, Central Italian Alps) through a geomorphologic survey, cosmogenic dating, Schmidt’s Hammer, and surface roughness measurements. Our results reveal that the previously mapped Val Viola rock avalanche is probably derived by three different events that occurred 7.7 ± 0.2 ka (Orthogneiss_ 1), 7.0 ± 0.2 ka (Paragneiss), and 5.0 ± 0.3 ka (Orthogneiss_2). Because the main valley bottom has been ice free since at least 12.6 ka, it is unlikely that the triggering factor of these events was the debutressing stress caused by the melting of local valley glaciers. Therefore, permafrost that formed in this area down to 2525 m a.s.l. at 9.3–8 ka and degraded successively between 7.8 and 6.5 ka was likely the main triggering factor of the first two rock avalanche events, as well as for the third event that happened during the warm and wet period of the Holocene Thermal Maximum around 5 ka.

Timing and seismic origin of the historic Luanshibao rock avalanche in the Maoyaba basin, SE Tibetan Plateau: New evidence from 10Be exposure-ages

Rock avalanche is one of the most notable geological disasters in the mountain areas, such as the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. A typical one therein is the Luanshibao (LSB) rock avalanche that occurred in the Maoyaba basin. This rock avalanche has attracted a great deal of attentions, as it has a potential threat to the construction of Sichuan-Tibet Railway. It has been widely accepted that the LSB rock avalanche was caused by a seismic event. However, it is still an open question as to the timing of the earthquake-triggered rock avalanche. Here, we report twenty new 10Be exposure-ages obtained from the deposition zone. These tightly clustered exposure-ages, combined with geomorphic evidence, indicate that the LSB rock avalanche occurred during the mid-Holocene, possibly at 5.2 ± 0.2 ka. A comparison between the timing of rock avalanche and seismic events suggests a close correlation of the LSB rock avalanche with recurrent earthquakes around ∼5 ka BP. Such a correlation is well supported by the view from previous studies.

The Pretare-Piedilama Clastic Deposit: New Evidence of a Quaternary Rock Avalanche Event in Central Apennines (Italy)

This paper deals with the origin of the Pretare clastic deposit (PRA), which crops out along the Morricone fluvial valley in the Central Apennines of Italy. With the aim of deciphering the genesis of the PRA deposit, geological s.l. and geomorphological analyses were carried out allowing for the interpretation of the PRA deposit as a rock avalanche. Furthermore, geological cross sections constrained by well-log and field survey data, together with stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and morphometric analyses, allowed us to assign the deposit to a catastrophic rock slope failure, which occurred during a cold climate of the Late Pleistocene. Several issues concerning the propagation mechanisms were inferred from the mapping of 350 boulders over the entire accumulation area and from the measure of the morphometric parameters of the landslide body. We also performed a restoration of the potential source area by comparing the reconstructed pre- and post-failure DEMs. A missing volume of 8.41 × 106 m3 was estimated on the south-eastern side of the Vettore Mt., which is consistent with the deposit volume computed from the geological interpretation (10.56 × 106 m3). The outcomes of this study provide useful insights for a better understanding of the Quaternary morpho-evolution of the Central Apennines area where analogous rock avalanche events marked the recent evolution of the belt.

Insight into the critical morphological characteristics of earthquake-induced sequential rock avalanches in weathered-fractured rock cliffs

Rock avalanches are a significant threat to transportation or hydraulic infrastructure, as they can also cause catastrophic secondary destruction in large practical engineering or to nearby residents. Earthquake-induced rock avalanches have been the most common and prominent natural hazard phenomena among geological hazards in recent years. Earthquake-induced rock avalanche events usually begin when a massive rock mass or multiple rock masses separate from a rock slope, progressively fragmenting and transforming into fast-moving, cohesionless rock falls. Earthquake-induced sequential collapse often occurs on weathered and fractured rock cliffs in horizontal strata, and its kinematic dynamics and destabilization mechanism are significantly different from those of isolated collapse due to weathering. In this study, the failure characteristics of the initiation and movement process of the avalanche are revealed in detail, through physical model experiments and analytical solutions, thereby obtaining an earthquake-controlled mechanical model equation. Our methods use the inflection points of the displacement time curve at the top of the rock wall and the digital images acquired by the shaking test bench to quantify the critical damage time point and to characterize the critical morphology of continuous collapse. A mathematical model of analytical solution is proposed, which aims to address the kinematic mechanics mechanism of sequential collapse under translational and rotational motion models. The comparative analysis results of the experiment and analytical solutions reveal that the transformed motion pattern is controlled by the ratio between the model stacking height, the rock block size, and the seismic acceleration. Whereas the rotational motion pattern is mainly influenced by the nodal dip angle, model stacking height, and seismic acceleration. The results of the study are of great scientific importance to elucidate the destruction mechanism of the earthquake-induced sequential collapse of rock avalanches and to determine the evolution characteristic of subsequent rockfalls motion of dangerous rocks. The proposed framework for the analysis of rock avalanches can be applied to understand the critical topographic features and mechanical mechanism behavior of analogous geological hazards.

Identification of a Quaternary rock avalanche deposit (Central Apennines, Italy): Significance for recognition of fossil catastrophic mass-wasting.

Whereas deposits of extremely‐rapid, ‘catastrophic’ mass wastings >105 m3 in volume (for example, the Marocche di Dro rock avalanche in the Southern Alps and the Flims rockslide in the Western Alps) are easily recognized by their sheer mass and blocky surface, the identification of fossil catastrophic mass wastings partly removed by erosion must be based on deposit characteristics. Herein, a ‘fossil’ (pre‐last glacial) rock avalanche, previously interpreted as either a till or debris flow, is described. The deposit, informally called ‘Rubble Breccia’, is located in the intramontane Campo Imperatore halfgraben that is bounded by a master fault with up to ca 900 m topographic throw. Based on documentation from field to thin section, and by comparative analysis with post‐glacial rock avalanches, tills and debris flows, the Rubble Breccia is reinterpreted as a rock avalanche. The Rubble Breccia consists of an extremely‐poorly sorted, disordered mixture of angular clasts from sand to block size. Many clasts show fitted subclast boundaries in crackle, jigsaw and mosaic fabrics, as diagnostic of catastrophic mass wasting deposits. Intercalated layers of angular to well‐rounded clasts of coarse sand to fine pebble size, and deformed into open to recumbent folds, may represent shear belts folded during terminal avalanche propagation. The clast spectrum of the Rubble Breccia – mainly shallow‐water bioclastic limestones, Saccocoma wackestones and other deep‐water limestones and dolostones – is derived from the front range along the northern margin of the basin. Calcite cement found within the Rubble Breccia was dated with the U/Th disequilibrium method to 124.25 ± 2.76 ka bp, providing an ante‐quam age constraint to the rock avalanche event. Because catastrophic mass wasting is a common erosional process, fossil deposits thereof should be more widespread than have been identified to date, although this may be a consequence of misidentification. The criteria outlined here provide a template to identify fossil catastrophic mass wasting deposits of any age.

Radiocarbon Dating for the Reconstruction of the 1717 CE Triolet Rock Avalanche in the Mont Blanc Massif, Italy

The Arp Nouva peat bog located in the upper Ferret Valley in the Mont Blanc massif was critically evaluated since published radiocarbon dates have led to controversial conclusions on the formation of this swamp. Radiocarbon dating of woody fragments from three pits of up to 1 m depth was used to discuss the question of whether the historically documented rock avalanche occurring in 1717 CE overran the peat bog or settled prior to its formation. For the deepest samples in the pits, calibrated radiocarbon ages between 1,652 and 1950 CE (95.4%; confidence level) were obtained, which fit very well into the time frame of the historical documented 1717 CE rock avalanche event. It can, therefore, be concluded that the Arp Nouva peat bog was formed by blockage of the Bella Combe torrent by the rock avalanche deposits. Furthermore, careful sample preparation with consequent separation of woody fragments from the bulk peat sample has shown that the problem of too old14C ages can be circumvented. This work demonstrates that a combined geomorphological and geochronological approach is the most reliable way to reconstruct landscape evolution. The key to successful14C dating is careful sample selection and the identification of the material that might not be ideal for chronological reconstructions.

Impact of an 0.2 km3 Rock Avalanche on Lake Eibsee (Bavarian Alps, Germany) – Part II: Catchment Response to Consecutive Debris Avalanche and Debris Flow

AbstractThe ~0.2 km3 Eibsee rock avalanche impacted Paleolake Eibsee and completely displaced its waters. This study analyses the lake impact and the consequences, and the catchment response to the landslide. A quasi‐3D seismic reflection survey, four sediment cores from modern Lake Eibsee, reaching far down into the rock avalanche mass, nine radiocarbon ages, and geomorphic analysis allow us to distinguish the main rock avalanche event from a secondary debris avalanche and debris flow. The highly fluidized debris avalanche formed a megaturbidite and multiple swashes that are recorded in the lake sediments. The new calibrated age for the Eibsee rock avalanche of ~4080–3970 cal yr BP indicates a coincidence with rockslides in the Fernpass cluster and subaquatic landslides in Lake Piburg and Lake Plansee, and raises the possibility that a large regional earthquake triggered these events. We document a complex history of erosion and sedimentation in Lake Eibsee, and demonstrate how the catchment response and rebirth of the lake are revealed through the complementary application of geophysics, sedimentology, radiocarbon dating, and geomorphology. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Rock Avalanche-Generated Sediment Mass Flows: Definitions and Hazard

Rock avalanches can trigger destructive associated hazards following the initial collapse and fragmentation of a rock slope failure. One of these associated hazards occurs when the material derived from the initial collapse of the source zone impacts and mobilizes a mass flow composed of sediment from along the travel path. These mass flows can be grouped into radial impact areas that occur on relatively flat, open terrain (typically a floodplain), and more linear impact areas that occur in channelized terrain. Rock avalanche-generated sediment mass flows are an important consideration because they can significantly increase the area impacted by an event, thereby increasing the hazard area, especially in valley bottoms where there are likely more elements at risk. Existing runout prediction methods do not consistently account for the increase in the impact area from rock avalanche-generated sediment mass flows. Thus, there is a need for a simple data-supported method for estimating the extent of mass flow impacts resulting from an initial rock avalanche event with sediments along the potential travel path. This paper presents data from 32 rock avalanches and 23 rock avalanche-generated sediment mass flows from around the world, described using a consistent set of quantitative and qualitative attributes. A wide range of mass flow impacts were observed, with the sediment mass flow impact area or runout length exceeding the impact of the coarse, rocky debris in some cases. The area and length impacted by the coarse, rocky debris is estimated using multiple linear regressions considering the event volume and topographic features. The sediment mass flow dataset is used as input to develop an exponential distribution of the area or runout length of the sediment mass flow over that of the coarse, rocky debris. A decision tree framework is presented for estimating the extent of potential rock avalanches and potential rock avalanche-generated sediment mass flows for hazard and risk analysis, which is demonstrated by comparing the stochastic empirical predictions to those from numerical runout modelling.

Quaternary rock avalanches in the Apennines: New data and interpretation of the huge clastic deposit of the L'Aquila Basin (central Italy)

In this paper we inferred the origin of a huge clastic deposit (i.e. L'Aquila Breccia) which widely crops out within the L'Aquila intermontane basin, a tectonic depression in central Apennines, that is bounded by seismogenic active faults, as demonstrated by the earthquake occurred on April 6, 2009 (Mw 6.1). The genesis of this deposit is still debated in the literature: for this reason, a number of methods have been applied, mainly aimed at evidencing its geomorphological and sedimentological features, as well as at defining its geometry and volume through cross sections constrained by borehole data and field observations. On the basis of the obtained results, we identified such deposit as resulting from a Quaternary rock avalanche event. In particular, the rock avalanche would have detached during the cold climate phases of late Middle Pleistocene from the southern slope of the Gran Sasso Range, a sector characterized by the presence of numerous DGSD-related landforms. We performed morphometric analyses of the Gran Sasso slope, in order to define the potential source area of the inferred rock avalanche and, according to the results, the volume estimated from this area (about 108 m3) is coherent with the volume calculated for the preserved rock avalanche deposit. Furthermore, we analyzed the main features of the deposit (i.e. age and morphometric parameters) also in the light of similar rock avalanche events occurred in the same region during the Quaternary, with the aim of discussing potential analogues and better understanding the role of gravity-induced processes in the Quaternary morpho-evolution of the Apennine chain.

Quantitative assessment of weathering degree of the Touzhai rock-avalanche deposit in Southwest China

Weathering is one of the main preparatory causal factors for rock-avalanche events and weathering assessment of involved materials can refine understanding of geomorphic processes of this class. The weathering degree of the deposit of the Touzhai basalt rock avalanche in China, is quantitatively evaluated herein through an integrated geochemical analysis, coupled with meso- and micro-scopic examination of fragments, which can help to understand the inhomogeneity of weathering in rock slopes. The clasts of 12 size classes of the debris making up the deposit, ranging from meter-sized boulder to fines of <25 μm, are assessed with 16 geochemical parameters and eight weathering indices. The results show that the debris can be subdivided into two distinct groups: fresh (or fresh-slightly weathered) and weathered (moderately-highly weathered). Group 1 includes five classes of several meters, 15-10 cm, 5-4 cm, 2-1 cm and 1-0.5 cm, and Group 2 covers a particle size range of <0.5 cm to <25 μm. Of special interest is that fresh debris accounts for at least ~80 wt.% of the rock-avalanche deposit. The unexpectedly significant proportion of fresh debris appears to be a necessary prerequisite for the rock-avalanche occurrence and can be attributed to the aphanitic texture and low permeability of the basalt. On the basis of the low bulk density and strength of saprolite (completely weathered rocks), the slopes containing ~ 80-90% of unweathered materials may fail as rock avalanche-debris flows. They may collapse as rockslide-debris flows if saprolite crusts continue to thicken. In addition, the slopes made entirely, of saprolite, would not host catastrophic failures.

АКТИВИЗАЦИЯ ОБВАЛОВ НА ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОМ КАВКАЗЕ И ИХ ВЛИЯНИЕ НА ДИНАМИКУ ЛЕДНИКОВ И СЕЛЕВЫЕ ПРОЦЕССЫ

We analyzed multi-time satellite images of the Central Caucasus glacial zone and interpreted more than thirty rock avalanche events in the 21st century with a total damage area of more than 25 km 2 (including the collapse zone of the Kolka Glacier disaster). The highest rock and rock-ice avalanche activity is detected in the section of The Greater Caucasus range (northern and southern slopes) with a length of about 20 km between the Bashkara and Kulaktau peaks (16 rock avalanches) and in the section of the Kazbek-Dzhimaray Massif (series of rock avalanches to the surface of Kolka, Suatisi and Devdoraki glaciers). The feature of the rock and ice-rock avalanches is the large runout distance. For 12 events (about 40%) the distance was more than 2000 m. One ice-rock avalanche from the Mount Kazbek (excluding the Kolka Glacier disaster in 2002) reached the runout distance more than 10 km. In some areas, the rock avalanches occurred several times. In particular, a large number of avalanches were in the cirque of the Kolka Glacier; the last of them at the end of 2019. Thrice шт each case, rock avalanches originated from Mount Bashkara, in the cirques of the Murkvam Glacier, the East Shtulu Glacier, and the Devdoraki Glacier. Ice and rock avalanches were the initial stage of the complex process of the Kolka Glacier disaster and following catastrophic glacial debris flow in the Genaldon/Gizeldon River valley in 2002. Also, they were causes of glacier surges, formation of dammed lakes, and debris flows. As a result of the collapse of the hanging glacier and bedrock, the former right tributary of the Kolka Glacier surged to 200 m in 2006. Ice-rock avalanche from Mount Kazbek in 2014 load up the former right tributary of the Devdoraki Glacier and caused its advancing in 2015–2019, at a distance of more than 400 m. The avalanches caused catastrophic debris flows in the Amilishka/Kabakhi River valley in 2014, the Mestiachala River valley in 2019. Rock avalanches can cause outbursts of lakes and debris flows. Two dammed lakes formed as a result of the rock avalanche from the cirque above the Seri Glacier in the Tviberi River valley of the in May 2016. The lakes (total area was more than 0.05 km 2 ) have outburst at the end of August 2017 after heavy rains. Rock avalanches of the 20th century led to an abrupt deceleration in the retreat of the Yusengi, Bartuytsete, East Shtulu and Mosota glaciers. The formation of rock avalanches in the 21st century took place at high altitudes (an average of about 3900 m). Possibly, the reason was associated with an increase of the «0» isotherm and of the high border of the zone of intense frost weathering due to climate warming. Some rock avalanches in the section of the Kazbek-Dzhimarai Massif have been caused by endogenous factors (seismicity and volcanism).

Multi‐method (14C, 36Cl, 234U/230Th) age bracketing of the Tschirgant rock avalanche (Eastern Alps): implications for absolute dating of catastrophic mass‐wasting

AbstractCorrect and precise age determination of prehistorical catastrophic rock‐slope failures prerequisites any hypotheses relating this type of mass wasting to past climatic regimes or palaeo‐seismic records. Despite good exposure, easy accessibility and a long tradition of absolute dating, the age of the 230 million m3 carbonate‐lithic Tschirgant rock avalanche event of the Eastern Alps (Austria) still is relatively poorly constrained. We herein review the age of mass‐wasting based on a total of 17 absolute ages produced with three different methods (14C, 36Cl, 234U/230Th). Chlorine‐36 (36Cl) cosmogenic surface exposure dating of five boulders of the rock avalanche deposit indicates a mean event age of 3.06 ± 0.62 ka. Uranium‐234/thorium‐230 (234U/230Th) dating of soda‐straw stalactites formed in microcaves beneath boulders indicate mean precipitation ages of three individual soda straws at 3.20 ± 0.26 ka, 3.04 ± 0.10 ka and 2.81 ± 0.15 ka; notwithstanding potential internal errors, these ages provide an ‘older‐than’ (ante quam) proxy for mass‐wasting.Based on radiocarbon ages (nine sites) only, it was previously suggested that the present rock avalanche deposit represents two successive failures (3.75 ± 0.19 ka bp, 3.15 ± 0.19 ka bp). There is, however, no evidence for two events neither in surface outcrops nor in LiDAR derived imagery and drill logs. The temporal distribution of all absolute ages (14C, 36Cl, 234U/230Th) also does not necessarily indicate two successive events but suggest that a single catastrophic mass‐wasting took place between 3.4 and 2.4 ka bp. Taking into account the maximum age boundary given by reinterpreted radiocarbon datings and the minimum U/Th‐ages of calcite precipitations within the rock avalanche deposits, a most probable event age of 3.01 ± 0.10 ka bp can be proposed. Our results underscore the difficulty to accurately date catastrophic rock slope failures, but also the potential to increase the accuracy of age determination by combining methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Slope failures and erosion rates on a glacierized high‐mountain face under climatic changes

ABSTRACTIn this study, rapid topographic changes and increased erosion rates caused by massive slope failures in a glacierized and permafrost‐affected high‐mountain face were investigated with respect to the current climatic change. The study was conducted at one of the highest periglacial rock faces in the European Alps, the east face of Monte Rosa, Italy. Pronounced changes in ice cover and repeated rock and ice avalanche events have been documented in this rock wall since around 1990. The performed multi‐temporal comparison of high‐resolution digital terrain models (DTMs) complemented by detailed analyses of repeat photography represents a unique assessment of topographic changes and slope failures over half a century and reveals a total volume loss in bedrock and steep glaciers in the central part of the face of around 25 × 106 m3 between 1988 and 2007. The high rock and ice avalanche activity translates into an increase in erosion rates of about one order of magnitude during recent decades.The study indicates that changes in atmospheric temperatures and connected changes in ice cover can induce slope destabilization in high‐mountain faces. Analyses of temperature data show that the start of the intense mass movement activity coincided with increased mean annual temperatures in the region around 1990. However, once triggered, mass movement activity seems to be able to proceed in a self‐reinforcing cycle, whereby single mass movement events might be strongly influenced by short‐term extreme temperature events. The investigations suggest a strong stability coupling between steep glaciers and underlying bedrock, as most bedrock instabilities are located in areas where surface ice has disappeared recently and the failure zones are frequently spatially correlated and often develop from lower altitudes progressively upwards. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Granular flow experiments on the interaction with stationary runout path materials and comparison to rock avalanche events

ABSTRACTThe central focus of this work is to study the processes acting well below the surface of a moving rock or debris avalanche during travel over stationary substrate material. Small‐scale physical models at a linear scale of 1:104used coal as avalanche analogue material and different granular material simulating sedimentary substrates varying in frictional resistance, thickness and relative basal boundary roughness, as well as inerodible, non‐deformable runout path conditions. Substrate materials with the least frictional resistance showed the greatest response to granular flow overriding, becoming entirely mobilized beneath and ahead of the moving mass and producing the longest runout observed with a unique deposit profile shape. With a smooth substrate basal contact, failure occurred along this plane and avalanche and substrate became coupled during runout. With a rough base, however, temporary force chains of grain contacts in the substrate prevailed longer, imparted their resistance to motion/shear into the granular flow, and the flow rear section consequently halted earlier than when moving over substrates with a weak base. Reducing substrate thickness diminished the effect of basal contact roughness on granular flow runout and deposit length. Inerodible, non‐deformable substrate conditions caused changes in granular flow behaviour from essentiallyen massesliding on low‐friction surfaces to increasing granular agitation over rougher paths. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

First approaches towards modelling glacial hazards in the Mount Cook region of New Zealand's Southern Alps

Abstract. Flood and mass movements originating from glacial environments are particularly devastating in populated mountain regions of the world, but in the remote Mount Cook region of New Zealand's Southern Alps minimal attention has been given to these processes. Glacial environments are characterized by high mass turnover and combined with changing climatic conditions, potential problems and process interactions can evolve rapidly. Remote sensing based terrain mapping, geographic information systems and flow path modelling are integrated here to explore the extent of ice avalanche, debris flow and lake flood hazard potential in the Mount Cook region. Numerous proglacial lakes have formed during recent decades, but well vegetated, low gradient outlet areas suggest catastrophic dam failure and flooding is unlikely. However, potential impacts from incoming mass movements of ice, debris or rock could lead to dam overtopping, particularly where lakes are forming directly beneath steep slopes. Physically based numerical modeling with RAMMS was introduced for local scale analyses of rock avalanche events, and was shown to be a useful tool for establishing accurate flow path dynamics and estimating potential event magnitudes. Potential debris flows originating from steep moraine and talus slopes can reach road and built infrastructure when worst-case runout distances are considered, while potential effects from ice avalanches are limited to walking tracks and alpine huts located in close proximity to initiation zones of steep ice. Further local scale studies of these processes are required, leading towards a full hazard assessment, and changing glacial conditions over coming decades will necessitate ongoing monitoring and reassessment of initiation zones and potential impacts.

Glacially conditioned rock-slope failures and disturbance-regime landscapes, Upper Indus Basin, northern Pakistan

Abstract The possible role of paraglacial adjustments in catastrophic rock-slope failures is investigated. Most of some 250 rockslide–rock-avalanche events identified in the Upper Indus Basin descended from slopes affected by Quaternary glaciations. Examples from the lower Gilgit Basin in the Karakoram Himalaya illustrate relations of rock-wall failure to former glacier activity and post-glacial responses, including sackung features. In many cases there is strong morphological evidence for paraglacial adjustments. However, other conditions must be considered as partial or alternative controls. They include a complex bedrock geology and seismo-tectonic conditions, and vertical shifts in periglacial and moisture climates. Given the enormous relief, the landslides themselves may involve a range of temporal and spatial distributions influenced by different topo-climates, geological terranes and stages of deglaciation. Meanwhile, post-glacial rock avalanche barriers have blocked and fragmented the river system. They exercise a major control over intermontane sedimentation and valley morphology. These impacts are treated as part of a broader ‘disturbance-regime’ geomorphology, where late Quaternary landscape evolution is driven by transient, but recurring, interactions among geomorphic process systems. Post-glacial conditions have also tended to partition the landscape into subunits with different mixes of geomorphic activity or rates of adjustment. The findings presented here depart from existing interpretations of Quaternary events in the region, and pose challenges for process geomorphology and the role of large landslides.

A Discontinuous Approach to the Numerical Modelling of Rock Avalanches

The runout of dry rock avalanches produced by planar rockslides affecting a limestone formation with clayey interbeds is analysed by means of distinct element modelling. Potential and past rock avalanche events are described with reference to the geotechnical and structural conditions of the slope, typical of several Alpine valleys. Runout prediction analyses of potential rock avalanches performed with the PFC2D code are based on independent measurement of strength, energy dissipation and stiffness parameters of the rock mass and are validated by means of the back analysis of a historical rockslide occurred in the investigated area. Physical aspects of the avalanching process evidenced by modelling are also discussed.

10Be exposure ages of a rock avalanche and a late glacial moraine in Alta Valtellina, Italian Alps

A rock avalanche deposit was investigated in order to understand the chronological evolution of geological hazards and to evaluate the interaction of the triggering geodynamic processes in the valley Val Viola, Italian Alps. The deposit is situated west of the Alpe Dosdé, in a permafrost area with deep-seated gravitational deformations (DSGD) along a tectonic line. Based on its geomorphologic context, the rock avalanche was first interpreted as a result of slope stress release without exact timing. This hypothesis was tested by measuring the 10Be exposure date of quartz from one boulder from the rock avalanche. The age of 7430±460 years places the event in the early Holocene. The timing of the last deglaciation was constrained using the inner late glacial moraine of a moraine doublet in the valley Alpe Dosdé situated at an altitude between 2140 and 2120 m a.s.l. west of the rock avalanche. The 10Be concentrations of quartz yield minimum exposure ages of 11,480±670 and 10,850±820 years. Different proposals for potential triggering factors of the rock avalanche include (a) melting of the local valley glacier and slope stress release in the Val Viola, likely to play a minor role as trigger, because of the time delay between the deglaciation and the rock avalanche event. More likely are (b) enhanced crustal seismicity induced by post-glacial regional isostatic glacial rebound coupled with tectonic stress or/and (c) climate conditions with higher temperatures around 7430±460 years, resulting in an upwards movement of the permafrost limit and destabilization of the rock walls.

Massive rock-slope failure in the Central Apennines (Italy): the case of the Campo di Giove rock avalanche

This paper describes the Quaternary Campo di Giove (CDG) rock avalanche which occurred along the western edge of the Maiella Massif in the central part of the Apennines, Italy. The aim of this work is to contribute to the present debate about the nature of large-sized, Quaternary debris deposits of the central Apennines that have been controversially interpreted in the last decades as moraine, tectonic breccias or landslides and to provide an example of a rock avalanche that was strongly controlled by local geomorphic conditions. Field evidence, supported by morphometric and sedimentary analysis of clastic deposits, has demonstrated that the material originated during a rock avalanche event which occurred in a significantly different geomorphological setting. The control on the depositional mechanism by the Middle Pleistocene landscape is revealed by the reduced lateral spreading and the evidently asymmetric shape of the accumulation area.