Geomorphological Insights to Analyze the Kinematics of a DSGSD in Western Sicily (Southern Italy)

Abstract

Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations (DSGSDs) are common in many geological environments, and due to their common limited displacement rate, they can remain unrecognized for a long time. Among the most significant events in Sicily is the Mt. San Calogero DSGSD. To contribute to a better understanding of its characteristics, including the geologic setting promoting its development, ongoing kinematics, and mechanism, a specific analysis was completed. In this paper, the results of this analysis, based on a three-folded strategy, are provided and interpreted in the context of DSGSD predisposing conditions and controlling factors. Especially, field observations associated to visual interpretation of aerial imagery were used for the identification and mapping of main geological features and landforms, high-resolution X-Band DInSAR data enabled researchers to fully characterize the deformational behavior of the slope, while a reduced complexity slope stability analysis allowed them to reconstruct the deep geometry of the DSGSD. Results from the analysis indicate that the DSGSD of Mt. San Calogero is composed of three blocks corresponding to fault-bounded tectonic elements and characterized by a specific kinematics and sensitivity to external forcing (i.e., rainfall), multiple landslides are associated to the DSGSD in the area and the deep geometry of the DSGSD is concave upward and resemble the characteristics of a rotational slide. The interpretation of the results suggests that the formation and the deformation of the Mt. San Calogero DSGSD are linked with the local and regional fault systems related to the Sicilian orogen, while shallow landslides are triggered, in clayey terrains, mostly by rainfalls. In addition, the integrated approach reveals that active tectonics and rainfalls in the San Calogero massive relief are the main driving forces of its different deformation behavior.