The geomorphologic landscape of the Abruzzo region is a good example of the variety and complexity of processes and morphogenetic events in Italy. Complex Meso-Cenozoic palaeogeographies are still reflected by the main mountain chains of Abruzzo and enable both scientists and tourists to make imaginary journeys through ancient, long vanished, coral atolls and blue deep seas. Valleys of glacial origin, alluvial cones, actual soils and palaeosoils still preserve the memory of these 'by-goneworlds', with unique geomorphosites scattered throughout the region. The educational enhancement of geomorphological themes has been pursued in Abruzzo, known as the 'region of parks' par excellence and a 'green lung' of Europe, with the creation and placement of information panels and theme trails. Within this framework, in this paper we report on the methods, initiatives and activities that have been undertaken for the enhancement of the geological landscape and geomorphosites, mainly through geological trails and geological information panels but also by contributing to the identification of possible new geomorphosites. Geological trails and information panels are mostly based on different types of tools, such as threedimensional (3D) reconstructions, aimed at providing a 3D perception of geologic processes and elements, landform highlights, aimed at increasing the perception and identification of landforms and processes as well as their impact on the landscape, and palaeo-geographic reconstructions and cartoons, aimed at presenting the evidence of landscape evolution.
This work presents the morphotectonic map of the Tasso Stream-Sagittario River valley, located in the Central Abruzzo area (Marsica region), in one of the areas of highest average elevation in the Apennines chain between two main intermontane basins (i.e. the Sulmona basin and Fucino basin). It is bounded by one of the main drainage divides of Central Italy, separating the Adriatic side of the Apennines from the large endorheic Fucino area. The morphotectonic map of the Sagittario River valley is the result of an geomorphological analysis of the drainage at the basin scale in Central Italy and incorporates three main sections: orography and hydrography (upper right on the map), the main morphotectonic map (center and left on the map), and the morphotectonic profile section (lower on the map). This map provides a basis for the recognition of morphotectonic features at the basin scale, the detection of tectonic vs. surface processes' control on the landscape, and the reconstruction of the landscape evolution of the Sagittario gorges, one of the main gorges incising the carbonate ridges of the Apennines. It contributes to defining the main phases of the Quaternary landscape evolution of the inner mountain landscape of the Apennines, resulting from the combination of alternating morphotectonics (i.e. rock uplift and local tectonics) and surface processes (i.e. slope, karst, glacial and fluvial processes). ARTICLE HISTORY
Landslides are a widespread natural phenomenon that play an important role in landscape evolution and are responsible for several casualties and damages. The Abruzzo Region (Central Italy) is largely affected by different types of landslides from mountainous to coastal areas. In particular, the hilly piedmont area is characterized by active geomorphological processes, mostly represented by slope instabilities related to mechanisms and factors that control their evolution in different physiographic and geological–structural conditions. This paper focuses on the detailed analysis of three selected case studies to highlight the multitemporal geomorphological evolution of landslide phenomena. An analysis of historical landslides was performed through an integrated approach combining literature data and landslide inventory analysis, relationships between landslide types and lithological units, detailed photogeological analysis, and geomorphological field mapping. This analysis highlights the role of morphostructural features on landslide occurrence and distribution and their interplay with the geomorphological evolution. This work gives a contribution to the location, abundance, activity, and frequency of landslides for the understanding of the spatial interrelationship of landslide types, morphostructural setting, and climate regime in the study area. Finally, it represents a scientific tool in geomorphological studies for landslide hazard assessment at different spatial scales, readily available to interested stakeholders to support sustainable territorial planning.
Mass movements processes (i.e., landslides and snow avalanches) play an important role in landscape evolution and largely affect high mountain environments worldwide and in Italy. The increase in temperatures, the irregularity of intense weather events, and several heavy snowfall events increased mass movements’ occurrence, especially in mountain regions with a high impact on settlements, infrastructures, and well-developed tourist facilities. In detail, the Prati di Tivo area, located on the northern slope of the Gran Sasso Massif (Central Italy), has been widely affected by mass movement phenomena. Following some recent damaging snow avalanches, a risk mitigation protocol has been activated to develop mitigation activities and land use policies. The main goal was to perform a multidisciplinary analysis of detailed climatic and geomorphological analysis, integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS) processing, to advance snow avalanche hazard assessment methodologies in mass movement-prone areas. Furthermore, this work could represent an operative tool for any geomorphological hazard studies in high mountainous environments, readily available to interested stakeholders. It could also provide a scientific basis for implementing sustainable territorial planning, emergency management, and loss-reduction measures.
The outstanding cultural heritage of Italy is intimately related to the landscape and its long-lasting history. Besides major cities, famous localities, and park areas, several minor places and areas hide important features that allow the enhancing of inner-mountain and hilly areas as well as local natural reserves. This enhancement is supported by combining different types of cultural tourism, such as the archeological and geological ones. In this paper, an integrated geological–archeological itinerary is presented, which aims to valorize both these aspects in the inner-mountain areas of the central Apennines. The itinerary, called the “Fan of the Terre Peligne”, is focused on the Terre Peligne area located in the Sulmona basin, in the central-eastern part of the Apennines chain (Abruzzo region, central Italy). It is composed of five sectors (one for each of the municipalities included) and incorporates traditional physical tools and digital ones. Here, the evidence of the Apennines formation is preserved from the origin of marine carbonate rocks to their deformation and the landscape shaping. The Terre Peligne intermontane basin became—and still is—one of the main transit areas for crossing the Italian peninsula since before Roman times and here many stages of Italian history are preserved. This allows outlining of the presence of man since prehistoric times, and here the name “Italia” was defined for the first time, in Corfinio, and to testify the connection between human and landscape history. A SWOT (strengths–weaknesses–opportunities–threats) analysis highlighted the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Combining geological and archeological elements, which are intimately connected in this area, this itinerary intends to be an instrument for the enhancement and awareness of the natural and cultural heritage of a poorly known area that features outstanding geological, landscape, and human elements of the history of the inner Apennines.
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