Landslide Hazard Assessment in a Monoclinal Setting (Central Italy): Numerical vs. Geomorphological Approach

Abstract

A correct landslide hazard assessment (LHA) is fundamental for any purpose of territorial planning. In Italy, the methods currently in use to achieve this objective alternate between those based on mainly qualitative (geomorphological) and quantitative (statistical–numerical) approaches. The present study contributes to the evaluation of the best procedure to be implemented for LHA, comparing the results obtained using two different approaches (geomorphological and numerical) in a territorial context characterized by conditioning and triggering factors, favorable to the instability of the slopes. The results obtained, although preliminary, evidence the respective limitations of the methods and demonstrate how a combined approach can certainly provide mutual advantages, by addressing the choice of the best numerical model through direct observations and surveys.

Keywords

• landslides
• factor of safety
• numerical models
• Hoek–Brown method
• monoclinal setting