Slope Instability Processes Affecting the Pietra Di Bismantova Geosite (Northern Apennines, Italy)

Abstract

The Pietra di Bismantova, a vast biocalcarenite slab, is an impressive landmark and a unique feature in the gentle hilly landscape of the Reggio Emilia Apennines, Italy. It consists of a stratified calcareous rock type, rich in molluscs and other fossilised remains typical of a tropical climate. The site also has significant historical and cultural interests, including remains from Bronze Age and early Iron Age settlements. The perpendicular rock faces of the Pietra di Bismantova have for many years attracted rock climbers and hikers. Furthermore, the sheer calcareous walls are favoured sites for endemic plants and nesting of rare birds. Since the end of the last glaciation, the site has been subject to intense degradational processes affecting the rock slopes. Today, these pose serious problems for its conservation and the safety of visitors. The southern part is mainly affected by occasional rockfalls of varying magnitude. In contrast, the north-eastern part is much more jointed and dismembered and is subdivided into several loose blocks subject to slope movements with a complex style of activity. The results of a geomechanical and geomorphological survey are used to identify the area most prone to geomorphological hazards, particularly rockfalls. They show that the areas potentially most subject to landslides are the SE, NE and NW faces, where the rock parameters are poorest and degradational processes are particularly intense. Numerical modelling of rockfall phenomena indicates that the hazards are particularly high along the SE and W faces, where footpaths and climbing tracks are also located. Remedial measures should be introduced in these critical areas to stabilise the cliff and guarantee safe access for the numerous visitors to this geosite.

Matilda’s castles, northern Apennines: geological and geomorphological constrains

“…A few isolated mesas can also be found: some of them have become iconic elements of the local landscape. For instance, the Pietra di Bismantova geosite (Borgatti & Tosatti, 2010) that is an elevated sloping limestone tabular mesa surrounded by vertical cliffs (Mancassola et al, 2014). Monoclinal structures are common and variously related to the channel network.…”

Lithological and Structural Control on Italian Mountain Geoheritage: Opportunities for Tourism, Outdoor and Educational Activities

“…4a). Intense jointing, severe weathering processes, that affect the rock slopes since the end of the last glaciation (GSUE 1976), and high relief energy have favoured the onset of almost all landslide types in the area (Borgatti, Tosatti 2010). Particularly hazardous, in terms of velocity, are rock-falls, the last one occurred in February 2015, posing serious problems for the conservation of this geosite and for the safety of visitors, settlements and infrastructure.…”

“…Several are also the single pitch sport routes. In order to increase the safety of this world-famous tourist area, analysis and modelling of possible rock fall trajectories have been recently developed (Migliazza, Giani 2005, Borgatti, Tosatti 2010. Moreover, a monitoring system has been put in place and detailed studies for the quantitative hazard and risk assessment and zonation of the whole area is being carried out (Corsini et al 2016).…”

Application of Bioengineering Techniques as Geo-Hydrological Risk Mitigation Measures in a Highly Valuable Cultural Landscape: Experiences from the Cinque Terre National Park (Italy)

“…The high relevance of this patrimony is further enhanced by more than 200,000 sites widespread throughout the country [2], including a large amount of architectural (e.g., churches, palaces, castles, bridges), archaeological (e.g., caves and necropolis), cultural (e.g., museums and monuments) and natural (e.g., parks, protected areas, gardens) heritage sites. However, due to the peculiar geological and geomorphological setting of the Italian territory, many cultural sites are threatened by several natural hazards, such as earthquakes [3,4], landslides [5][6][7][8][9], floods [10][11][12][13][14] and subsidence processes [15,16]. Every year, the impact of geo-hazards on cultural heritage sites poses serious consequences in terms of economic losses and damage and risk to people [17][18][19], especially where cultural sites are located in densely populated areas or popular tourist destinations [20].…”