Federica Lucà

Vertical movements in the Ionian margin of the Sila Massif (Calabria, Italy)

Detailed geological-geomorphological investigations, carried out in the Ionian coastal belt between the Trionto River and the Colognati River, allowed us to set up a tectonic-sedimentary model of the northern flank of the Sila Massif during Pliocene-Pleistocene times. The study area is characterised by a distinct step-like topography displaying a well-preserved flight of coastal plain (alluvial/marine) terraces, arranged in five altimetric orders (T1 to T5). The deposition of sandy-clayey marine sediments of Middle Pliocene age ( CTSL Unit ) and beach sandstones grading upward to gray silty clays, referred to the Emilian-Sicilian ( Bisciglia Unit ) on the basis of micropaleontological analysis, has been related to a phase of subsidence, likely induced by the activity of E-W trending extensional faults. The Bisciglia Unit grades westward into conglomerates, sandstones and silty-clay sediments forming part of juxtaposed and superimposed deltaic (and subordinate alluvial/beach) deposits. A phase of subaerial landscape modelling, starting from the Middle Pleistocene, marks the end of subsidence and the onset of a rapid uplift which, interacting with eustatic sea-level changes, gave rise to the five orders of terraces. The uplift rate of the whole area, inferred by correlating the terrace surfaces with the paleoclimatic curve proposed by Bintanja et alii (2005), is 0.65 ± 0.1 mm yr −1 . However, the contemporaneous occurrence of extensional fault activity in the area induced variations in the uplift rates, which actually range between 0.52 and 0.88 mm yr _1 in relation to the distance from the fault trace. These data highlight the competing role of fault activity and regional uplift in controlling vertical movements and surface topography at the local scale.

Geomorphological map of the Crotone Province (Calabria, South Italy)

Abstract Please click here to download the map associated with this article. The geomorphological map described covers an area of about 1,720 km, located on the northeastern part of Calabria (south Italy); it contributes to the understanding of both long-term landscape evolution and present-day trends of the Crotone Province. The map, at a 1:75,000 scale, integrates information coming from geomorphological analysis of relief, air photo interpretation and fieldwork. It documents the interplay between tectonic and climatic controls at different temporal and spatial scales. Several remnants of planation surfaces, developed during late Miocene-early Pliocene, result from ancient landscape fragmentation and uplift since the Late Pliocene. Marine and alluvial terraces reflect complex cycles of erosion and deposition, possibly in relation to climate and tectonism during most of the Quaternary. Finally, the present landscape is heavily affected by slope denudational processes such as mass movements, running water processes and wave action. This map may provide the basis for further analyses, representing a useful tool for land management as well as the initial step for the assessment of geomorphological hazard and risk.

Integrating geomorphology, statistic and numerical simulations for landslide invasion hazard scenarios mapping

This paper highlights a multidisciplinary method for evaluating debris-flow invasion hazard, based on geological-geomorphological field survey and statistical analysis coupled with numerical simulations through Cellular Automata. The developed hazard assessment methodology consists of different consolidated techniques for the (a) identification of spatial susceptibility, i.e. potential landslide sources in previous unfailed slopes, (b) estimation of the probability of cover thickness involvement in initial landsliding, (c) evaluation of temporal probability and (d) numerical modeling of potential landslides. In this study, the SCIDDICA Cellular Automata landslide model has been considered and applied to the northern sector of Mount Pendolo (Sorrento Peninsula), which was affected by several landslides in historical time. Model calibration has been performed by considering past events of similar scale and type. Results of these simulations were satisfactory as proven by the comparison between real and simulated reference events. Several possible source areas have been hypothesized and a potential future landslide scenario has been simulated by using SCIDDICA. By associating to each simulation a spatial, magnitude and temporal probability, a landslide invasion hazard scenario was mapped. We developed an integrated approach for debris flow invasion hazard scenarios.Spatial, magnitude and temporal probabilities and runout were assessed.The SCIDDICA model was able to well simulate the considered case studies.The validity of the approach is related to the quality and accuracy of input data.By varying statistical hypotheses, different hazard scenarios can be mapped.

Geomorphological Map of the Ionian Area between the Trionto and Colognati River Catchments (Calabria, Italy)

Abstract Please click here to download the map associated with this article. This paper describes a geomorphological map representing a sector of the Ionian coastal belt, located in north-eastern Calabria, between the catchments of the Trionto and Colognati Rivers. The landforms have been distinguished according to their origin into: a) structural and tectonic-controlled landforms; b) gravity-induced landforms; c) landforms formed by running water; d) coastal and transitional landforms; e) anthropic landforms, using as support a simplified topographic map on scale 1:20,000. The geomorphological map provides information about the long-term evolution of the landscape and identifies the geomorphic processes presently active. Therefore, the map could be used in developing land management and planning guidelines.

Geostatistical modelling of within-field soil and yield variability for management zones delineation: a case study in a durum wheat field

The paper proposes a geostatistical approach for delineating management zones (MZs) based on multivariate geostatistics, showing the use of polygon kriging to compare durum wheat yield among the different MZs (polygons). The study site was a durum wheat field in southern Italy and yield was measured over three crop seasons. The first regionalized factor, calculated with factorial cokriging, was used to partition the field into three iso-frequency classes (MZs). For each MZ, the expected value and standard deviation of yield were estimated with polygon kriging over the three crop seasons. The yield variation was only in part related to soil properties but most of it might be ascribable to different patterns of meteorological conditions. Both components of variation (plant and soil) in a cropping system should then be taken into account for an effective management of rainfed durum wheat in precision agriculture. The proposed approach proved multivariate Geostatistics to be effective for MZ delineation even if further testing is required under different cropping systems and management.

Geomorphological Map of the area between Frosolone and Trivento (Molise, Italy)

Abstract Please click here to download the map associated with this article. A 1:50,000-scale geomorphological map of the area between the settlements of Frosolone and Trivento (Molise Region, Italy) is presented and discussed in this paper. Field surveys and air photo interpretations allowed the characterization of the main morphological landforms of the study area, drawn from the reduction of an original 1:5,000-scale field map. The landforms have been grouped on the basis of the main controlling factors, as follows: i) tectonic and structural landforms; ii) slope landforms; iii) karst landforms; iv) fluvial landforms. This map shows the distribution of the geomorphic processes presently active, as well as the main relic landforms. Consequently, the collected data aim to provide a useful and easy tool for land planning policy; in addition, since the study area represents a typical geomorphic scenario of the southern Apennines, the data produced could be used in developing more widely-applicable landscape evolution models.

Tectono-stratigraphic architecture of the Ionian piedmont between the Arso Stream and Nicà River catchments (Calabria, Southern Italy)

ABSTRACT Along the northern Ionian margin of Calabria, three Neogene basins comprise wedge-top depozones containing syntectonic deposits which cover the frontal part of the fold-thrust belt. One of the best exposed onshore allochthonous siliciclastic successions is represented by the Cariati Nappe, cropping out in the Cirò Basin. Field geological mapping and aerial interpretations were used to characterize the stratigraphy and tectonics of the area between the Arso Stream and Nicà River catchments (about 170 km2), including a Paleozoic metamorphic basement complex unconformably overlain by Upper Oligocene to Quaternary siliciclastic deposits and minor carbonates. This paper presents a 1:25,000 scale map of the Ionian study area, providing lithological and structural data towards reconstructing its tectono-sedimentary evolution.

Precipitation spatial variability and dry areas temporal stability for different elevation classes in the Macta basin (Algeria)

The water availability relies primarily on precipitation whose spatial and temporal variability depends on meteorological and topographic attributes. Water becomes a precious natural resource, especially in semiarid areas. Generally, decisions on water resources are made on the whole watershed, but the variability of precipitation is related to topography. The work was aimed at quantifying the spatial variability of annual precipitation for a 40-year-long time series in the Macta basin (Algeria) by using a geostatistical approach and to detect the temporal stability of dry areas. To assess if annual precipitation variability could depend upon the elevation, the study area was divided into five geographical units (polygons) based on elevation and polygon kriging was applied. For each hydrologic year, the standardized relative difference of precipitation (SRDP) was evaluated and dry areas identified. The temporal stability of SRDP with elevation was assessed using the Spearman rank coefficient. Geostatistical approach showed different variability structures of annual precipitation over the considered period. Results highlighted differences in SRDP within the geographical units located at different elevation and the non-stability of dry periods with time within the same polygon. A remarkable dry tendency was assessed in the northern polygon, while the polygons at higher elevations were dominated by temporal instability. The spatio-temporal non-stability of dry areas might be attributed to the change in general atmospheric circulation in North Africa over the last decades and to the nonlinear interaction among precipitation and orography. The identification of dry areas can help decision-makers to plan management and conservation programs in Algeria.

Lava-flow hazard with optimized non-uniform grid of vents

The aim of the study is to assess the sensitivity to vents (in terms of number and distribution) of sectors affected by lava flows and of hazard values at Mount Etna. The proposed methodology relies on the application of the Cellular Automata model SCIARA, and on the adoption of an optimization algorithm for progressively integrating an initial uniform distribution of 1006 vents (1-km spaced) with 500 additional sources. Vents have iteratively been added, at steps of 50, through spatial simulated annealing, using slope roughness as weigh function. For each vent, 41 types of simulations have been executed to take into proper account the potential behaviour of the volcano, based on historical records. The performed simulations have been further processed to derive lava-flow hazard, by assigning each simulation: i) a spatial likelihood of vent opening; ii) a magnitude probability, depending on the type of eruption; and iii) a temporal probability of source activation, based on historical occurrences in the p...