Maurizio Lazzari

Kernel Density Estimation Methods for a Geostatistical Approach in Seismic Risk Analysis: The Case Study of Potenza Hilltop Town (Southern Italy)

This paper focuses on an overview of kernel density estimation especially for what concerns the choice of bandwidth and intensity parameters according to local conditions. A case study inherent seismic risk analysis of the old town centre of Potenza hilltop town has been discussed, with particular attention to the evaluation of the possible local amplifying factors. This first integrated application of kernel density maps to analyse seismic damage scenarios with a geostatistical approach allowed to evaluate the local geological, geomorphological and 1857 earthquake macroseismic data, offering a new point of view of civil protection planning. The aim of geostatistical approach is to know seismic risk variability at local level, modelling and visualizing it.

Landslide Triggering and Local Rainfall Thresholds in Bradanic Foredeep, Basilicata Region (Southern Italy)

It is recognised that a lot of the landslides occurred in the Mediterranean region are triggered by short intense storms. Due to its geological, geomorphological and climatic settings, the Bradanic Foredeep (Basilicata region) is affected by the widespread presence of landslides. The main objective of this paper is to identify the empirical triggering thresholds in Bradanic Foredeep and to investigate the role of antecedent rainfall. Using a variety of information sources, we have compiled a catalogue listing 97 rainfall events linked to landslides triggering in the investigated area. For each event in the catalogue, the exact or approximate location of the landslide and the time or period of initiation of the slope failure is known, together with information on the rainfall duration D, and the rainfall mean intensity I , that have resulted in the slope failure. The local rainfall threshold for the study area has been established using the statistical Frequentist approach. The comparison with regional thresholds proposed for other Italian regions has revealed that the Bradanic Foredeep thresholds are lower; which is probably due to the different quality of rainfall dataset. In fact, all the previous threshold have been evaluated starting from hourly data, while for the Basilicata region only daily data are available. Throughout this study we could not identify a significant correlation between antecedent rainfall and critical rainfall.

Geostatistics in historical macroseismic data analysis

This paper follows a geostatistical approach for the evaluation, modelling and visualization of the possible local interactions between natural components and built-up elements in seismic risk analysis. This method, applied to old town centre of Potenza hilltop town, offers a new point of view for civil protection planning using kernel density and autocorrelation indexes maps to analyse macroseismic damage scenarios and to evaluate the local geological, geomorphological and 1857 earthquakes macroseismic data.

Integrated Geological, Geomorphological and Geostatistical Analysis to Study Macroseismic Effects of 1980 Irpinian Earthquake in Urban Areas (Southern Italy)

This paper focuses on using the integrated methodological, approach and analysis to study macroseismic damage effects in urban areas. A case study inherent seismic risk analysis of the old town centre of Potenza hilltop town has been discussed, with particular attention to the evaluation of possible local amplifying factors (stratigraphy and geomorphology) deduced from comparison with data studied with a geostatistical approach (kernel density, Moran Index, Getis & Ord index). Geostatistics have been applied to seismic damage scenario of 1980 Irpinian earthquake macroseismic data, offering a new point of view in seismic risk assessment.

Soil Loss, Productivity and Cropland Values GIS-Based Analysis and Trends in the Basilicata Region (Southern Italy) from 1980 to 2013

This paper concerns the trends assessment of the productivity values and croplands values of specific crops (cereals (arable cereals land), vineyards, olive-growing lands) in the Basilicata region at regional scale, from 1980 to 2013, in relation to the soil loss evaluated through the USPED method. The comparative analysis shows the interrelations between the soil loss by erosion and the economic value deriving from the erosive phenomenon affecting the croplands considered.

PALEOBAS: A Geo-application for Mobile Phones - A New Method of Knowledge and Public Protection of the Paleontological Heritage of Basilicata (Southern Italy)

In this paper a new mobile application, designed for Android, to create social awareness for a sensitive topic, such as cultural heritage of a specific region, is proposed. The theme is the knowledge of paleontological assets located in Basilicata (Southern Italy) for their subsequent enjoyment and enhancement. The proposal for the use of the paleontological heritage of Basilicata is based on the use of new technologies, currently widely spread in the population. This project aims to census of the published sites in paleontological topic, displaying their geographical distribution, the understanding of their relevance from the scientific point of view and from the educational point, to promote their enhancement and the use of the heritage of Basilicata through an application for Smartphone and tablets.

GIS Assessment and Planning of Conservation Priorities of Historical Centers through Quantitative Methods of Vulnerability Analysis: An Example from Southern Italy

This paper aims to propose a new approach to identify, through the GIS, the priorities for action and structural conservation in the historic center through the calculation of the decay index, the quality of the typological and the conservation status of each building and these elements were subsequently made in relation to each other for a more accurate analysis of the historical aspects of the urban historical center of Potenza (southern Italy).