Regional analysis of slope instability processes along the southern border of the central Tauern Window (Eastern Alps)

Abstract

The central Tauern Window and the adjacent Austroalpine Unit are characterized by complex tectonic, geological and geomorphologic settings that result in a variety of different hillslope processes. Most scientific studies in the literature about slope instabilities in the Tauern Window focus on single slopes only. The present work is a first attempt, to give a regional overview about gravitational mass movements and predispositional factors, which are typical for the Sub-Penninic, Penninic and Austroalpine units. The varying anisotropy in rock material caused by a highly diversified foliation and the presence of brittle fault zones affects the stability of the slopes within the study region significantly, thus leading to spatial pattern of different types of gravitational mass movements. Mountain slope deformations are the most characteristic morphologic feature and occur throughout the study area. The Sub-Penninic and Penninic units show a higher susceptibility of to rockslides and mountain slope deformations in the southwest dipping slopes. TheUpper Austroalpine sub-unit is more susceptible to rockfalls in addition to mountain slope deformations. The Lower Austroalpine sub-unit is primarily susceptible to mountain slope deformations, the dominant mechanism being creep. Some areas of the slopes are covered by moraine deposits or scree due to the glacial and postglacial landscape evolution. Rockfall activity, due to the remobilization of boulders caused by erosion processes, mass movements or wind throw, is a common process. Such "secondary"

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