Geomorphology of landslide–flood-critical areas in hilly catchments and urban areas for EWS (Feltrino Stream and Lanciano town, Abruzzo, Central Italy)

Abstract

Urban and small catchment landslides and floods are common types of hazards caused by intense rainfall. The detailed geomorphological mapping and analysis of the superficial hydrographic network are fundamental tools to assess the geo-hydrologically critical areas. In this study, the Feltrino Stream and Lanciano area (Adriatic coastal-hills) were investigated through a basinscale and urban-scale geomorphological analysiswhich incorporated temperature-rainfall and morphometric analyses, and the acquisition of geomorphological and hazard data, integrated with geomorphological fieldwork and mapping. The creation of a geodatabase and the data overlay led to assess the landslide-flood critical areas through geomorphology-based matrices. This study aimed to define the distribution of landslide-flood historical/recent events and related critical areas for the realization of an urban EWS, composed of a network of nine gauges, integrating the existing regional monitoring network. It defined a local alert system for landslide-flood and could support real-time communication for civil protection purposes.

Landslide Susceptibility Mapping by Comparing GIS-Based Bivariate Methods: A Focus on the Geomorphological Implication of the Statistical Results

“…The most influential class of MSI has an MSI value >400 m, with secondary classes of 230-300 m and 301-400 m. For SUs with an equal slope gradient, these classes correspond to longer and wider hillslopes, which hold most of the landslide area. Generally, longer hillslopes are also wider, which can induce the formation of flow-type and rotational landslides on soft clay-sand bedrock, such as the Apennine hills [16,60]. The effect is directly controlled by the water infiltration capacity and terrain saturation associated with the specific hydrogeological and lithological setting.…”

Relationships between Morphostructural/Geological Framework and Landslide Types: Historical Landslides in the Hilly Piedmont Area of Abruzzo Region (Central Italy)

“…Fluvial processes affect the main rivers, alternating between channel incisions and flooding. The slope processes due to running water mostly affect the clayey and arenaceous-pelitic areas of piedmont and coastal sectors, generating minor landforms such as rills, gullies, and mudflows [46,47]. The area is extensively affected by different types of landslides (e.g., mostly rotational-translational slides, earth flows, rockfalls, complex slides), mostly characterizing the hilly piedmont and the chain area and, locally, the coastal area [3,48].…”

Geomorphological tools for mapping natural hazards

“…Rockfalls cause extensive damage and subsequent social and economic impact; the map by these authors focuses on rockfall runout based on geological, geomorphological, and geomechanical analyses, exploiting information related to landslide inventories obtained using both analytical and empirical methods. Carabella et al (2020) present detailed geomorphological mapping and analysis of the superficial hydrographic network of Feltrino Stream and Lanciano area (Abruzzo, Italy). These are fundamental tools to assess geo-hydrologically critical areas such as urban areas and small catchments, where landslides and floods are common hazards caused by intense rainfall.…”