A Study on the Factors Controlling the Kinematics of a Reactivated and Slow-Moving Landslide in the Eastern Liguria Region (NW Italy) through the Integration of Automatic Geotechnical Sensors
Source abstract
Abstract
This paper deals with the investigation of factors influencing the movement patterns of a reactivated slow-moving landslide situated in the eastern Liguria region (NW Italy) through the analysis of extensive ground-based hydrological and geotechnical monitoring data. Subsurface horizontal displacement and pore water pressure data were acquired simultaneously by means of automatic sensors positioned at pre-existing and localized failure zones. The joint examination of field measurements enabled us to explore the connections between rain, pore water pressure, and displacements. The results of continuous displacement monitoring showed that the landslide kinematics involved phases of extremely slow movements alternated with periods of relative inactivity. Both stages occurred prevalently at seasonal scale displaying similar durations. The slow-motion phases took place at relatively constant pore water pressure and were ascribed to mechanisms of viscous shear displacements along failure surfaces. Inactive phases entailed no significant deformations, mostly corresponding to prolonged dry periods. The two motion patterns were interrupted by episodic sharp deformations triggered by delayed (preparation periods from 4 to 11 days) rainfall-induced pore water pressure peaks, which were ascribed to sliding mechanisms taking place through rigid-plastic frictional behaviour. During these deformation events, hysteresis relationships between pore water pressure and displacement were found, revealing far more complex hydro-mechanical behaviour.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Landslides and related hazards · Cryospheric studies and observations · Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis
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Affiliations
Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy
ResGeo Consultant, Via Fico Eraldo 32/1, 16039 Sestri Levante, Genoa, Italy
Institute of Geophysics, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Funding
European Union Next-GenerationEU
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