Debris-flow risk analysis in south Gargano watersheds (Southern-Italy)

• Published in: Natural hazards (Dordrecht) Vol. 44; no. 1; pp. 1 - 17
• Main Authors: Gentile, Francesco, Bisantino, Tiziana, Trisorio Liuzzi, Giuliana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 2008; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alluvial fans; Civil Engineering; Debris flow; Detritus; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Management; Exact sciences and technology; Flood routing; Geophysics/Geodesy; Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences; Hazards; Hydrogeology; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Laboratory tests; Landslides; Landslides & mudslides; Natural Hazards; Natural hazards: prediction, damages, etc; Original Paper; Risk analysis; Storms; Watersheds; Southern Europe; Italy; Gargano; Europe; Apulia Italy; Italy, Apulia, Gargano; Control measures; Debris-flow modelling; Magnitude; Risk assessment; preventive measures; risk assessment; floods; models; interfaces; natural hazards maps; sediment sources; debris flows; geographic information systems; alluvial fans; classification; dams; mechanical properties; drainage basins; Risk assessment, Control measures; natural disaster damages; interpretation; landslides; prediction; debris; magnitude; hydrographs; stability
• ISSN: 0921-030X; 1573-0840
• DOI: 10.1007/s11069-007-9139-9

This article describes a methodology to analyse debris-flow risk in the torrential watersheds of the southern hillside of Gargano (Puglia—Italy). The approach integrates a stability model that identifies the areas of potential shallow landslides in different meteorological conditions with a two-dimensional flood routing model that allows hazard mapping and GIS interface. The results were combined with a susceptibility map that was defined by analyzing the vulnerability conditions and the exposure of the alluvial fan. The models were calibrated on the 1972, July catastrophic event for which the distribution of rainstorm intensity was available. The geo-mechanical properties of the debris were studied by field surveys and laboratory tests while the sediment source areas and the shape of the alluvial cone were obtained using photo-aerial interpretation. The risk conditions of the areas under consideration were also investigated in order to plan and guide measures aimed at limiting the damage such hazards may cause.