Influence of the antiformal setting on the kinematics of a large mass movement: the Passo Vallaccia, eastern Italian Alps

The article examines the influence of antiformal settings on the evolution of alpine slopes using 2D numerical modelling. The northern slope of the Upper Vizze Valley, which follows a huge antiform involving meta-granitic and meta-sedimentary rocks, is affected by a complex gravitational phenomenon...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bulletin of engineering geology and the environment 2011-08, Vol.70 (3), p.497-506
Main Authors: Massironi, M., Genevois, R., Floris, M., Stefani, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alps
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Foundations
Geoecology/Natural Processes
Geoengineering
Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences
Hydraulics
Modelling
Nature Conservation
Original Paper
Partitioning
Shear
Slopes
Two dimensional
Valleys
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Summary:The article examines the influence of antiformal settings on the evolution of alpine slopes using 2D numerical modelling. The northern slope of the Upper Vizze Valley, which follows a huge antiform involving meta-granitic and meta-sedimentary rocks, is affected by a complex gravitational phenomenon mainly controlled by the attitude of the foliation. A preliminary geological model based on field surveys was refined using the results of 2D distinct element numerical modelling. In the crown area, the sub-horizontal meta-sedimentary sequence at the fold hinge is cut by sharp planes, whilst in the middle zone the sequence was passively dragged downwards and finally, in the lowest part of the slope, corresponding to the steeply dipping antiformal flank, the deformation propagated across the entire meta-sedimentary succession through strain partitioning along multiple shear surfaces.
ISSN:1435-9529
1435-9537
DOI:10.1007/s10064-010-0340-9