Andrea Agostini

Evolution, pattern, and partitioning of deformation during oblique continental rifting: Inferences from lithospheric‐scale centrifuge models

Oblique rifting is investigated through centrifuge experiments that reproduce extension of a continental lithosphere containing a preexisting weakness zone. During extension, this weakness localizes deformation, and different rift obliquity is obtained by varying its trend with respect to the stretching direction. Model results show that deformation is mostly controlled by the obliquity angle a (defined as the angle between the orthogonal to the rift trend and the extension direction). For low obliquity (alpha 45 degrees), no boundary faults form, and the extensional deformation affects the rift depression since early stages of extension. Dominance of the strike-slip motion over extension leads to the development of oblique-slip and nearly pure strike-slip faults, oblique to both the rift trend and the orthogonal to the extension direction, with no strain partitioning between the margins and the rift floor. These results suggest that oblique reactivation of preexisting weaknesses plays a major role in controlling rift evolution, architecture, and strain partitioning, findings that have a significant relevance for natural oblique rifts.

A Procedure to Map Subsidence at the Regional Scale Using the Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) Technique

In this paper, we present a procedure to map subsidence at the regional scale by means of persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI). Subsidence analysis is usually restricted to plain areas and where the presence of this phenomenon is already known. The proposed procedure allows a fast identification of subsidences in large and hilly-mountainous areas. The test area is the Tuscany region, in Central Italy, where several areas are affected by natural and anthropogenic subsidence and where PSI data acquired by the Envisat satellite are available both in ascending and descending orbit. The procedure consists of the definition of the vertical and horizontal components of the deformation measured by satellite at first, then of the calculation of the “real” displacement direction, so that mainly vertical deformations can be individuated and mapped.

Magma-induced axial subsidence during final-stage rifting: Implications for the development of seaward-dipping reflectors

A consensus is emerging from studies of continental rifts and rifted margins worldwide that significant extension can be accommodated by magma intrusion prior to the development of a new ocean basin. However, the influence of loading from magma intrusion, lava extrusion, and sedimentation on plate flexure and resultant subsidence of the basin is not well understood. We address this issue by using three-dimensional flexural models constrained by geological and geophysical data from the Main Ethiopian Rift and the Afar Depression in East Africa. Model results show that axial mafic intrusions in the crust are able to cause significant downward flexure of the opening rift and that the amount of subsidence increases with decreasing plate strength accompanying progressive plate thinning and heating during continental breakup. This process contributes to the tilting of basaltic flows toward the magma injection axis, forming the typical wedge-shaped seaward-dipping reflector sequences on either side of the eventual rupture site as the new ocean basin forms.

A new appraisal of the Ancona landslide based on geotechnical investigations and stability modelling

On the night of 13 December 1982, Ancona experienced the catastrophic reactivation of an old and large landslide located along the coast to the west of the city. The outcomes of past and new geotechnical investigations and the data from the 30 year readings of the monitoring instruments have been integrated to redefine and update the actual location of the sliding surfaces. According to the new analysis, the landslide involves four main sliding surfaces with different extents and depths. The deepest surfaces converge at depth in a shear band and their toes are positioned near or beyond the coast. Numerical and analytical modelling of the landslide has been carried out using the newly derived sliding surface geometries. The numerical modelling has allowed a qualitative assessment of the deformation pattern, confirming the geometry of the sliding surfaces derived from the geotechnical investigations. The stability analyses have been performed applying the limit equilibrium method to quantify the instability conditions of the landside. The analyses have been carried out for five stratigraphic–geotechnical scenarios. All of these scenarios show a stability condition near the limit equilibrium.

Subsidence mapping at regional scale using persistent scatters interferometry (PSI): The case of Tuscany region (Italy)

Abstract In this paper the mapping of subsidences in Tuscany (Italy) is presented. To achieve our goal satellite SAR data processed with persistent scatters interferometry (PSI) technique have been used. Several subsiding areas have been identified and three of them have been analyzed in detail and subsequently compared with literature work both to validate the results and to analyze the evolution of the identified subsidences. In general, this comparison confirmed the quality of the analyses and, furthermore, lead to the identification of an important ground uplift close to Prato city, an area that was historically affected by subsidence.

The new landslide inventory of Tuscany (Italy) updated with PS-InSAR: geomorphological features and landslide distribution

In this paper, the updating of the landslide inventory of Tuscany region is presented. To achieve this goal, satellite SAR data processed with persistent scatter interferometry (PSI) technique have been used. The updating leads to a consistent reduction of unclassified landslides and to an increasing of active landslides. After the updating, we explored the characteristics of the new inventory, analysing landslide distribution and geomorphological features. Several maps have been elaborated, as sliding index or landslide density map; we also propose a density-area map to highlight areas with different landslide densities and sizes. A frequency-area analysis has been performed, highlighting a classical negative power-law distribution. We also explored landslide frequency for lithology, soil use and several morphological attributes (elevation, slope gradient, slope curvature), considering both all landslides and classified landslide types (flows, falls and slides).

The Use of Empirical Methods for Testing Granular Materials in Analogue Modelling

The behaviour of a granular material is mainly dependent on its frictional properties, angle of internal friction, and cohesion, which, together with material density, are the key factors to be considered during the scaling procedure of analogue models. The frictional properties of a granular material are usually investigated by means of technical instruments such as a Hubbert-type apparatus and ring shear testers, which allow for investigating the response of the tested material to a wide range of applied stresses. Here we explore the possibility to determine material properties by means of different empirical methods applied to mixtures of quartz and K-feldspar sand. Empirical methods exhibit the great advantage of measuring the properties of a certain analogue material under the experimental conditions, which are strongly sensitive to the handling techniques. Finally, the results obtained from the empirical methods have been compared with ring shear tests carried out on the same materials, which show a satisfactory agreement with those determined empirically.

Geomechanical Characterization and Stability Analysis of the Bedrock Underlying the Costa Concordia Cruise Ship

The shipwreck of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, which ran aground on 13 January 2012 on the northwestern coast of Giglio Island (Italy), required continuous monitoring of the position and movement of the vessel to guarantee the security of workers and rescuers operating around and within the wreck and to support shipwreck removal operations. Furthermore, understanding the geomechanical properties and stability behaviour of the coastal rock mass and rocky seabed underlying the ship was of similar importance. To assess the stability conditions of the ship, a ground-based monitoring system was installed in front of the wreck. The network included a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) device, which was used to perform remote semiautomatic geomechanical characterization of the observed rock mass. Using TLS survey techniques, three main discontinuity sets were identified in the granitic rock mass of Giglio Island. Furthermore, a multibeam bathymetric survey was used to qualitatively characterize the seabed. To integrate the processed TLS data and quantitatively describe the rock mass quality, a subsequent field survey was carried out to provide a rock mass geomechanical evaluation (from very good to moderate quality). Based on the acquired information, kinematic and stability analyses were performed to create a spatial prediction of rock failure mechanisms in the study area. The obtained kinematic hazard index values were generally low; only the plane failure index reached slightly higher values. The general stability of the rock mass was confirmed by the stability analysis, which yielded a high safety factor value (approximately 12).

A New Appraisal of the Ancona Landslide

On the night of December 13th 1982, the city of Ancona suffered the catastrophic reactivation of an old and large landslide located along the coast to the West of the town. According to its morphological and kinematic characteristics, the Ancona landslide can typologically be defined as a deep-seated, multiple, compound and recurrent landslide. After the 1982 event, several geological and geotechnical investigations were carried out; furthermore, a complex network of monitoring instruments has been installed. All these data have been of key importance in identifying the superficial and in depth extension of the landslide, the sliding surfaces, the failure mechanisms, the triggering factors and monitoring the deep on-going deformations. The outcomes of past and new geotechnical investigations and all the data coming from the 30-year readings of the monitoring instruments have been integrated in order to redefine and update the actual location of the sliding surfaces. According to the new analysis, the landslide involves four main sliding surfaces with different extensions and maximum depths. Stability analyses have been performed using the newly derived sliding surface geometries. The analyses have been carried out for five different stratigraphic-geotechnical scenarios, showing in each cases a stability slope condition near the limit equilibrium.