SpringerLink
Log in

Lateral spreading phenomena and weathering processes from the Tropea area (Calabria, southern Italy)

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes the lateral spreading landslides, the weathering processes and the hydrogeological risk patterns of the NW sector of Monte Poro (Calabria, southern Italy), based on the development of a multidisciplinary research. The tectonic uplift of the area combined with the litho-structural features of the sedimentary deposits overlying the intensely weathered granitoid complex produces important gravitational phenomena characterized by lateral spreading kinematics. The contact between deposits with a different behaviour, together with the high slope energy related to the tectonic uplift processes, is the main cause of widespread fracturing and disjoint of the lithologies associated with lateral spreading phenomena. These phenomena are also testified by the various trenches and cracks characterized by a parallel orientation relatively to the main fluvial incisions. Measures of these deformations were obtained with a quantitative result by the use of “Interferometric Stacking” methods. The experimental results confirm this morphological scenario characterized by strain values ranging between 20 and 25 mm/year relatively to the landslides detected. Geomorphological analysis of the drainage basins in the study area indicates a juvenile stage of the stream networks. This pattern is consistent with the high rate of tectonic uplift of the area, hence the continuous rejuvenation of the stream networks and their low level of hierarchy. These conditions of geomorphic equilibrium of the stream networks, the widespread occurrence of geological instability in continuous evolution, are the main causes of high hydrogeological risk conditions for this coastal area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amodio Morelli L, Bonardi G, Colonna V, Dietrich D, Giunta G et al (1976) L’Arco Calabro-Peloritano nell’orogene Appenninico-Maghrebide. Mem Soc Geol It 17:1–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Antonioli F, Ferranti L, Lambeck K, Kershaw S, Verrubbi V, Dai Pra G (2006) Late Pleistocene to Holocene record of chaning uplift rates in southern Calabria and northestern Siciliy (southern Italy, central Mediterranean sea). Tectonophysics 422:23–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bally AW, Burbi C, Cooper C, Ghelardoni R (1986) Balanced sections and seismic reflection profiles across the central Apennines. Mem Soc Geol It 35:275–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Barberi G, Cosentino MT, Gervasi A, Guerra I, Neri Orecchio BG (2004) Crustal seismic tomography in the Calabrian arc region, south Italy. Phys Earth Planet Int 147:297–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrese E, Pellegrino A, Prestininzi A (2006) Weathering of crystalline-metamorphic rocks in the Allaro and Amusa river basin (Serre Massif, Calabria, Italy): general aspects and effects of thermal-metamorphic contact belts. Ital J Eng Geol Env 1:51–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Berardino P, Fornaro G, Lanari R, Sansosti E (2002) A new algorithm for surface deformation monitoring based on small baseline differential SAR interferograms. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 40:2375–2383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borrelli L, Greco R, Gullà G (2007) Weathering grade of rock masses as a predisposing factor to slope instabilities: reconnaissance and control procedure. Geomorphology 87:158–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borrelli L, Perri F, Critelli S, Gullà G (2012) Minero-petrographical features of weathering profiles in Calabria, southern Italy. Catena 92:196–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borrelli L, Perri F, Critelli S, Gullà G (2014) Characterization of granitoid and gneissic weathering profiles of the Mucone River basin (Calabria, southern Italy). Catena 113:325–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bozzano F, Bretschneider A, Esposito C, Martino S, Prestininzi A, Scarascia-Mugnozza G (2013) Lateral spreading processes in mountain ranges: Insights from an analogue modelling experiment. Tectonophysics (in press)

  • Brand EW, Phillipson HB (1985) Sampling and testing of residual soils: a review of international practice. Technical Committee on sampling and testing of residual soils, International Society for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. Scorpion Press, pp 1–194

  • Calcaterra D, Parise M (2005) Landslide types and their relationships with weathering in a Calabrian basin, southern Italy. Bull Eng Geol Environ 64:193–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calcaterra D, Ietto A, Dattola L (1993) Aspetti geomeccanici e idrogeologici di ammassi granitoidi (Serre calabresi). Boll Soc Geol It 112:395–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Calcaterra D, Parise M, Dattola L (1996) Caratteristiche dell’alterazione e franosità di rocce granitoidi nel bacino del Torrente Alaco (massiccio delle Serre, Calabria). Boll Soc Geol It 115:3–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Calcaterra D, Bruno DE, Parise M, Silvestri F, Critelli S, Capparelli G (2004) Effects of weathering on slope instability in gneissic rocks at Luzzi (Calabria, Italy). In: Proceedings of the 9th international symposium on Landslides in Rio de Janeiro: pp 1233–1239

  • Caracciolo L, Le Pera E, Muto F, Perri F (2011) Sandstone petrology and mudstone geochemistry of the Peruc-Korycany Formation (Bohemien Cretaceous Basin, Czech Republic). Int Geol Rev 53:1003–1031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cascini L, Critelli S, Di Nocera S, Gullà G, Matano F (1994) Weathering and landsliding in Sila Massif gneiss (Northern Calabria, Italy). In: Proceedings of the 7th international IAEG Congress in Lisboa, Portugal, pp 1613–1622

  • Casu F, Manzo M, Lanari R (2006) A quantitative assessment of the SBAS algorithm performance for surface deformation retrieval from DInSAR data. Remote Sens Env J 102:195–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ciccacci S, D’alessandro L, Fredi P, Lupia Palmieri E (1992) Relations between morphometric characteristics and denudational processes in some drainage basins of Italy. Geomorph N F 36(1):53–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Critelli S, Mongelli G, Perri F, Martìn-Algarra A, Martìn-Martìn M, Perrone V, Dominici R, Sonnino M, Zaghloul MN (2008) Compositional and geochemical signatures for the sedimentary evolution of the Middle Triassic-Lower Jurassic continental redbeds from Western-Central Mediterranean Alpine Chains. J Geol 116:375–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Critelli S, Muto F, Tripodi V, Perri F (2013) Link between thrust tectonics and sedimentation processes of stratigraphic sequences from the southern Apennines foreland basin system, Italy. Rend Online Soc Geol It 25:21–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Cucci L, Tertulliani A (2006) I terrazzi marini nell’area di Capo Vaticano (Arco Calabro): solo un record di sollevamento regionale o anche di deformazione cosismica? Il Quaternario 19:89–101

    Google Scholar 

  • De Ritis R, Dominici R, Ventura G, Nicolosi I, Chiappini M, Speranza F, De Rosa R, Donato P, Sonnino M (2010) A buried volcano in the Calabrian Arc (Italy) revealed by high-resolution aeromagnetic data. J Geophys Res B Solid Earth 115:B11101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Rosa R, Dominici R, Donato P, Barca D (2008) Widespread syn-eruptive volcaniclastic deposits in the Pleistocenic basins of South-Western Calabria. J Volcanol Geoth Res 177:155–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumas B, Gueremy P, Lhenaff R, Raffy J (1987) Rates of uplift as shown by raised Quaternary shorelines in Southern Calabria (Italy). Z Geomorph N F 63:119–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghisetti F (1979) Evoluzione neotettonica dei principali sistemi di faglie della Calabria centrale. Boll Soc Geol It 98:387–430

    Google Scholar 

  • Giunchi C, Sabadini R, Boschi E, Gasperini P (1996) Dynamic models of subduction: geophysical and geological evidences in the Tyrrhenian. Geophys J Int 126:555–578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gramigna P, Bassi D, Russo F (2012) An upper miocene siliciclastic-carbonate ramp: depositional architecture, facies distribution, and diagenetic history (Capo Vaticano area, southern Italy). Facies 58:191–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gullà G, Matano F (1997) Surveys of weathering profile on gneiss cutslopes in Northern Calabria, Italy. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on engineering geology and the environment IAEG in Athens, Greek, pp 133–138

  • Gullà G, Aceto L, Critelli S, Perri F (2008) Geotechnical and mineralogical characterisation of fine-grained soils affected by soil slips. In: Chen et al. (eds) Proceedings of the tenth international symposium on landslides and engineered slopes, vol 1. pp 373–379

  • Guzzetta G (1974) Ancient tropical weathering in Calabria. Nature 251(5473):302–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gvirtzmann Z, Nur A (1999) Plate detachment. Asthenosphere upwelling, and topography across subduction zones. Geology 27:563–566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Bray J (1977) Rock slope enginnering. Institute of Minning and Metallurgy, London, p 250

  • Horton RE (1945) Erosional development of streams and their drainage basin; hydrophysical approach to quantitative morphology. Geol Soc Am Bull 56(3):275–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ietto F (2001) Aspetti geologi e normativi del recupero conservativo dei beni ambientali culturali: lo Scoglio di Santa Maria dell’Isola di Tropea (Calabria). Geologia dell’Ambiente 4:3–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Ietto F, Bernasconi MP (2005) The cliff bordering the northwestern margin of the Mesima basin (southern Calabria) is of Pleistocene age. Geogr Fis Dinam Quater 28:205–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Ietto A, Calcaterra D (1988) Deformazioni gravitative profonde e tettonica presso Tropea (M.te Poro, Calabria). Mem Soc Geol It 41:911–915

    Google Scholar 

  • Ietto A, Ietto F (2004) Age and history of the weathering of granitoids in southern Calabria (Italy). Geogr Fis Dinam Quater 27:37–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Ietto F, Viola S, Ietto A (2002) Un nuovo criterio di valutazione del Rischio Sismico. Studi Geol Camerti 2:71–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Ietto A, Altomare C, Donato FF, Federico M, Ietto F, Teti F (2003) The Miocenic cliff at the NW edge of the Mesima sedimentary basin (Calabria, Southern Italy). Geogr Fis Dinam Quater 26:143–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Ietto F, Donato FF, Ietto A (2007) Recent reverse faults and landslides in granitoid weathered profiles, Serre Mountains (southern Calabria, Italy). Geomorphology 87(3):196–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ietto F, Parise M, Ponte M, Calcaterra D (2012) Geotechnical characterization and landslides in the weathered granitoids of Calabria (southern Italy). Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana 21:551–552

    Google Scholar 

  • Ietto F, Le Pera E, Perri F (2013) Weathering of the ‘Rupe di Tropea’ (southern Calabria): consolidation criteria and erosion-rate estimate. Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana 24:178–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzoni S, Zanettin Lorenzoni E (1979) Problemi di correlazione tettonica Sila-Aspromonte. Il significato dell’unità ercinica di Mandatoriccio e dei graniti ad Al2SiO5. Boll Soc Geol It 98:227–338

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzoni S, Orsi G, Zanettin Lorenzoni E (1980) The hercynian range in Southeastern Aspromonte: its relationships with the Alpine stilo Unit. N Jb Geol Paleont Mh 7:404–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzoni S, Orsi G, Zanettin Lorenzoni E (1983) Metallogenesis in the tectonic units and lithogenetic environments of Calabria (southern Italy). Mem Soc Geol It 35:411–428

    Google Scholar 

  • Malinverno A, Ryan WBF (1986) Extension in the Tyrrhenian Sea and shortening in the Apennines as result of arc migration driven by sinking of the lithosphere. Tectonophysics 5:227–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Meletti C, Patacca E, Scandone P (2000) Construction of a seismotectonic Model: the case of Italy. Pageophysics 157:11–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Miyauchi T, Dai Pra G, Sylos Labini S (1994) Geochronology of Plesitocene marine terraces and regional tectonics in Tyrrhenian coast of South Calabria, Italy Il. Quaternario 7:17–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Monaco C, Tortorici L, Nicolich R, Cernobori L, Costa M (1996) From collisional to rifted basins: an example from the southern Calabrian arc (Italy). Tectonophysics 266:233–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mongelli G, Critelli S, Perri F, Sonnino M, Perrone V (2006) Sedimentary recycling, provenance and paleoweathering from chemistry and mineralogy of Mesozoic continental redbed mudrocks, Peloritani Mountains, Southern Italy. Geochem J 40:197–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt HW, Young GM (1982) Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites. Nature 299:715–717

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicotera P (1959) Rilevamento geologico del versante settentrionale del Monte Poro (Calabria). Mem Note Ist Geol Appl, Napoli, p 7

  • Pasuto A, Soldati M (2013) Lateral spreading. Treatise Geomorphol 7:239–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perri F (2014) Composition, provenance and source weathering of Mesozoic sandstones from Western-Central Mediterranean Alpine Chains. J Afr Earth Sci 91:32–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perri F, Cirrincione R, Critelli S, Mazzoleni P, Pappalardo A (2008a) Clay mineral assemblages and sandstone compositions of the Mesozoic Longobucco Group (north-eastern Calabria): implication for burial history and diagenetic evolution. Int Geol Rev 50:1116–1131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perri F, Rizzo G, Mongelli G, Critelli S, Perrone V (2008b) Zircon composition of Lower Mesozoic redbeds of the Tethyan margins in the Central-Western Mediterranean area. Int Geol Rev 50:1022–1039

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perri F, Critelli S, Mongelli G, Cullers RL (2011a) Sedimentary evolution of the Mesozoic continental redbeds using geochemical and mineralogical tools: the case of Upper Triassic to Lowermost Jurassic Monte di Gioiosa mudrocks (Sicily, southern Italy). Int J Earth Sc 100:1569–1587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perri F, Muto F, Belviso C (2011b) Links between composition and provenance of Mesozoic siliciclastic sediments from Western Calabria (Southern Italy). Ital J Geosci 130:318–329

    Google Scholar 

  • Perri F, Borrelli L, Critelli S, Gullà G (2012) Investigation of weathering rates and processes affecting plutonic and metamorphic rocks in Sila Massif (Calabria, southern Italy). Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana 21:557–559

    Google Scholar 

  • Perri F, Critelli S, Martìn-Algarra A, Martìn-Martìn M, Perrone V, Mongelli G, Zattin M (2013) Triassic redbeds in the Malaguide Complex (Betic Cordillera—Spain): petrography, geochemistry, and geodynamic implications. Ear Sci Rev 117:1–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perri F, Scarciglia F, Apollaro C, Marini L (2014) Characterization of granitoid profiles in the Sila Massif (Calabria, southern Italy) and reconstruction of weathering processes by mineralogy, chemistry, and reaction path modeling. J Soils Sedim. doi:10.1007/s11368-014-0856-x (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Savage WZ, Varnes DJ (1987) Mechanics of gravitational spreading of steep-sides ridges (Sackung). Bull Intern Assoc Eng Geol 35:31–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spakman W, Van Der Lee S, Van Der Hilst R (1993) Travel-time tomography of the European-Mediterranean mantle down to 1400 km. Phys Earth Planet Int 79:3–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spencer E (1984) Role of tectonic denudation in war** and uplift of low-angle normal faults. Geology 15:341–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1952a) Dynamic basis of geomorphology. Geol Soc Am Bull 63:923–938

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1952b) Hypsometric (area–altitude) analysis of erosional topography. Geol Soc Am Bull 63:1117–1142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1964) Quantitative geomorphology of drainage basins and channel networks. In: Chow VT (ed) Handbook of applied hydrology, section 4, Mac Graw-Hill, New York

  • Tortorici G, Bianca M, De Guidi G, Monaco C, Tortorici L (2003) Fault activity and marine terracing in the Capo Vaticano area (Southern Italy), during the Middle-late Quaternary. Quat Int 101:269–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Varnes DJ (1978) Slope movements types and processes. In: Schuster RL, Krizek RJ (eds) Landslides, analysis and control. Transportation Research Board Sp Rep, 176, Nat Acad of Sciences pp 11–33

  • Wernicke B (1981) Low angle normal faults in the Basin and Range Province: mappe tectonics in an extending orogen. Nature 29:645–647

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wernicke B, Burchfiel BC (1982) Modes of extensional tectonics. J Str Geol 4–2:105–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westaway R (1993) Quaternary uplift of southern Italy. J Geophys Res 98:21741–21772

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wortel MJR, Spakman W (1993) The dynamic evolution of the Apenninic–Calabrian, Hellenic and Carpathian arcs: a unifying approach. Terra Nova 5(1):97 (abstract supplements)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaghloul MN, Critelli S, Perri F, Mongelli G, Perrone V, Sonnino M, Tucker M, Aiello M, Ventimiglia C (2010) Depositional systems, composition and geochemistry of Triassic rifted-continental margin redbeds of Internal Rif Chain, Morocco. Sedimentology 57:312–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was carried out within the MIUR-ex 60 % Project (Resp. F. Ietto). The author is indebted to one anonymous referee and the Editor Gunter Doerhoefe for their reviews, discussions, and suggestions on the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata Di Rende (CS), Italy

    F. Ietto, F. Perri & G. Fortunato

Authors
  1. F. Ietto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Perri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Fortunato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Perri.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ietto, F., Perri, F. & Fortunato, G. Lateral spreading phenomena and weathering processes from the Tropea area (Calabria, southern Italy). Environ Earth Sci 73, 4595–4608 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3745-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3745-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation