Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Volcanoclastic flow hazard assessment in highly populated areas: a GIS-based approach applied to Torre del Greco municipality (Somma-Vesuvius, Italy)

  • Article
  • Published:
Geosciences Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents a contribution to Volcanoclastic Flows hazard assessment in very densely populated volcanic areas by using a multidisciplinary study applied to the Torre del Greco area, a municipality close to the active Somma-Vesuvius volcano, in Italy. This study integrates and combines in a GIS environment several types of data: i) information on Volcanoclastic Flows recorded during the years 1906–2010, derived from historical chronicles and local reports; ii) rainfall data relative to the investigated period; iii) summary of the recent activity of Somma-Vesuvius (AD 1631–AD 1944) deriving from the scientific literature; iv) morphological and morphometric analyses derived from a very high resolution Digital Elevation Model developed in the years 2009–2012. The historical analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution of the Volcanoclastic Flows recorded in the Vesuvian area during the last 104 years indicates that the zone mostly affected by such phenomena is the south-western sector of Somma-Vesuvius, and in particular the Torre del Greco municipality, for which a specific database on paths and directions of the historical Volcanoclastic Flows was implemented. The analysis and comparison of all available data allowed us to: i) recognize that the source zone of Volcanoclastic Flows occurred in Torre del Greco was a funnel-shaped area located immediately SW of the Somma-Vesuvius caldera boundary and just above the most urbanized area of the town; ii) individuate the key morphometric parameters (slope and curvature) necessary for the potential triggering of Volcanoclastic Flows; and iii) investigate possible relationships between the fallout deposits of the Somma-Vesuvius main recent eruptions and the historical Volcanoclastic Flows of Torre del Greco. Although this approach represents only a starting point for studies aimed at the assessment and mitigation of Volcanoclastic Flows hazard, it can be applied in other volcanic zones having similar characteristics to the Somma-Vesuvius area. Moreover, it can be used not only during a period of volcanic quiescence when heavy and/or persistent rains are able to remobilize loose pyroclastic deposits, but also in syn-eruptive conditions.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alessio, G., De Falco, M., Di Crescenzo, G., Nappi, R., and Santo, A., 2012, Landslide and alluvial hazard high-resolution mapping of the Somma-Vesuvius volcano by means of DTM, remote sensing, geophysical and geomorphological data GIS-based approach. Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana, 19, 38–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alessio, G., De Falco, M., Di Crescenzo, G., Nappi, R., and Santo, A., 2013, Flood hazard of the Somma-Vesuvius region based on historical (19–20th century) and geomorphological data. Annals of Geophysics, 56, S0434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arboleda, R.A. and Martinez, M.L., 1996, 1992 lahars in the Pasig-Potrero River system. In: Newhall, C.G. and Punongbayan, R.S. (eds.), Fire and Mud: Eruptions and Lahars of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines. University of Washington Press, Seattle, p. 1045–1052.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arrighi, S., Principe, C., and Rosi, M., 2001, Violent strombolian and subplinian eruptions at Vesuvius during post-1631 activity. Bulletin of Volcanology, 63, 126–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barsotti, S., Neri, A., Bertagnini, A., Cioni, R., Mulas, M., and Mundula, F., 2015, Dynamics and tephra dispersal of violent Strombolian eruptions at Vesuvius: insights from field data, wind reconstruction and numerical simulation of the 1906 event. Bulletin of Volcanology, 77, 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bertagnini, A., Landi, P., Santacroce, R., and Sbrana, A., 1991, The 1906 eruption of Vesuvius: from magmatic to phreatomagmatic activity through the flashing of a shallow depth hydrothermal system. Bulletin of Volcanology, 53, 517–532.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bianco, F., Castellano, M., Milano, G., Ventura, G., and Vilardo, G., 1998, The Somma-Vesuvius stress field induced by regional tectonics: evidences from seismological and mesostructural data. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 82, 199–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bisson, M., Cosimi, G., Favalli, M., Leoni, F.M., Mazzarini, F., Pareschi, M.T., Santacroce, R., Sgro, S., Sulpizio, R., and Zanchetta, G., 2002, GIS database for the assessment of debris flow hazard in two areas of the Campania region (southern Italy). Il Nuovo Cimento, 25, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bisson, M., Pareschi, M.T., Zanchetta, G., Sulpizio, R., and Santacroce, R., 2007, Volcaniclastic debris-flow occurrences in the Campania region (Southern Italy) and their relation to Holocene–Late Pleistocene pyroclastic fall deposits: implications for large-scale hazard mapping. Bulletin of Volcanology, 70, 157–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bisson, M., Sulpizio, R., Zanchetta, G., Demi, F., and Santacroce, R., 2010, Rapid terrain-based mapping of some volcaniclastic flow hazard using GIS-based automated methods: a case study from southern Campania, Italy. Natural hazards, 55, 371–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bisson, M., Fubelli, G., Sulpizio, R., and Zanchetta, G., 2013, A GISbased approach for estimating volcaniclastic flow susceptibility: a case study from Sorrentina Peninsula (Campania Region). Italian Journal of Geosciences, 132, 394–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruno, P.P.G., Cippitelli, G., and Rapolla, A., 1998, Seismic study of the Mesozoic carbonate basement around Mt. Somma–Vesuvius, Italy. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 84, 311–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruno, P.P.G. and Rapolla, A., 1999, Study of the sub-surface structure of Somma-Vesuvius (Italy) by seismic reflection data. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 92, 373–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burrough, P.A. and McDonnell, R.A., 1998, Principles of Geographical Information Systems. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 190 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calcaterra, D., Parise, M., Palma, B., and Pelella, L., 1999, The May 5th 1998 landsliding event in Campania (southern Italy): inventory of slope movements in the Quindici area. Proceedings of International Symposium on Slope Stability Engineering, IS-Shikoku 99, Matsuyama, Nov. 8–11, p. 1361–1366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calcaterra, D., Parise, M., Palma, B., and Pelella, L., 2000, Multiple debris flows in volcaniclastic materials mantling carbonate slopes. In: Wieczorek, G.F. and Naeser, N.D. (eds.), Debris-flow Hazards Mitigation: Mechanics, Prediction, and Assessment. Balkema, Rotterdam, p. 99–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calcaterra, D. and Santo, A., 2004, The January 10, 1997 Pozzano landslide, Sorrento Peninsula, Italy. Engineering Geology, 75, 181–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cioni, R., Santacroce, R., and Sbrana, A., 1999, Pyroclastic deposits as a guide for reconstructing the multi-stage evolution of the Somma-Vesuvius Caldera. Bulletin of Volcanology, 61, 207–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cioni, R., Longo, A., Macedonio, G., Santacroce, R., Sbrana, A., Sulpizio, R., and Andronico, D., 2003, Assessing pyroclastic fall hazard through field data and numerical simulations: example from Vesuvius. Journal of Geophysical Research, 108, 2063.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cioni, R., Bertagnini, A., Santacroce, R., and Andronico, D., 2008, Explosive activity and eruption scenarios at Somma-Vesuvius (Italy): towards a new classification scheme. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 178, 331–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Riso, R., Budetta, P., Calcaterra, D., and Santo, A., 1999, Le colate rapide in terreni piroclastici del territorio campano. Proceedings of Convegno Previsione e Prevenzione di Movimenti Franosi Rapidi, Trento, Jun. 17–19, GEAM, p. 57.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Vivo, B., Rolandi, G., Gans, P.B., Calvert, A., Bohrson, W.A., Spera, F.J., and Belkin, H.E., 2001, New constraints on the pyroclastic eruptive history of the Campanian volcanic Plain (Italy). Mineralogy and Petrology, 73, 47–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DPC, 1995, Pianificazione Nazionale d’Emergenza dell’Area Vesuviana. Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri-Dipartimento della Protezione Civile, Rome, 157 p.

  • DPC, 2014, Disposizioni per l’aggiornamento della pianificazione di emergenza per il rischio vulcanico del Vesuvio. Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri-Dipartimento della Protezione Civile, Rome, 10 p.

  • Ferrucci, M., Pertusati, S., Sulpizio, R., Zanchetta, G., Pareschi, M.T., and Santacroce, R., 2005, Volcaniclastic debris flows at La Fossa Volcano (Vulcano Island, southern Italy): insights for erosion behaviour of loose pyroclastic material on steep slopes. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 145, 173–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurioli, L., Sulpizio, R., Cioni, R., Sbrana, A., Santacroce, R., Luperini, W., and Andronico, D., 2010, Pyroclastic flow hazard assessment at Somma-Vesuvius based on the geological record. Bulletin of Volcanology, 72, 1021–1038.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ISTAT, 2011, Censimento popolazione 2011. Accessed March 2015 (Online Database).

  • Lowe, D.R., Williams, S.N., Leigh, H., Connort, C.B., Gemmell, J.B., and Stoiber, R.E., 1986, Lahars initiated by the 13 November 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia. Nature, 324, 51–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Major, J.J., 2000, Gravity-driven consolidation of granular slurries—implications for debris-flow deposition and deposit characteristics. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 70, 64–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzarini, F., Bisson, M., and Pareschi, M.T., 2007, Zonazione dei bacini e delle aree esposte a colate di fango per l’Apron del Vesuvio. Report Progetto Speed -Prodotto D2.4.2, INGV, 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Migale, L.S. and Milone, A., 1998, Colate di fango in terreni piroclastici della Campania. Primi dati della ricerca storica. Rassegna Storica Salernitana, 15, 325–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nazzaro, A., 1997, Il Vesuvio. Storia eruttiva e teorie vulcanologiche, Geofisica dell’ambiente e del territorio. Liguori editore, 380 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neri, A., Aspinall, W.P., Cioni, R., Bertagnini, A., Baxter, P.J., Zuccaro, G., Andronico, D., Barsotti, S., Cole, P.D., and Esposti Ongaro, T., 2008, Developing an event tree for probabilistic hazard and risk assessment at Vesuvius. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 178, 397–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newhall, C.G. and Self, S., 1982, The volcanic explosivity index (VEI): An estimate of explosive magnitude for historical volcanism. Journal of Geophysical Research, 87, 1231–1238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newhall, C.G. and Punongbayan, R. (eds.), 1996, Fire and Mud: Eruptions and Lahars of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Quezon City, 1126 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pareschi, M.T., Cavarra, L., Favalli, M., Giannini, F., and Meriggi, A., 2000a, GIS and volcanic risk management. Natural Hazards, 21, 361–379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pareschi, M.T., Favalli, M., Giannini, F., Sulpizio, R., Zanchetta, G., and Santacroce, R., 2000b, May 5, 1998, debris flows in circum-Vesuvian areas (southern Italy): insights for hazard assessment. Geology, 28, 639–642.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pareschi, M.T., Santacroce, R., Favalli, M., Giannini, F., Bisson, M., Meriggi, A., and Cavarra, L., 2000c, Un GIS per il Vesuvio. Felici Editori, Pisa, 58 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pareschi, M.T., Santacroce, R., Sulpizio, R., and Zanchetta, G., 2002, Volcaniclastic debris flows in the Clanio Valley (Campania, Italy): insights for the assessment of hazard potential. Geomorphology, 43, 219–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pareschi, M.T., Zanchetta, G., Favalli, M., Sulpizio, R., Santacroce, R., Bisson, M., and Demi, F., 2004, La pericolosità vulcanica in aree medio-distali al Vesuvio legata alle colate di fango e alluvionamenti. Report, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, 18 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardi, G.P., Siniscalchi, V., Cecere, G., and Macedonio, G., 2007, Meteorologia Vesuviana dal 1864 al 2001 (Dataset).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardi, G.P., 2009, Diario del Monte Vesuvio: Venti secoli di immagini e cronache di un vulcano nella città. Edizioni scientifiche e artistiche Napoli, 896 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rolandi, G., Barrella, A.M., and Borrelli, A., 1993, The 1631 eruption of Vesuvius. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 58, 83–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosi, M., Principe, C., and Vecci, R., 1993, The 1631 Vesuvius eruption: a reconstruction based on historical and stratigraphical data. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 58, 151–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S.I.M.N. Servizio Idrografico e Mareografico Nazionale, 2004, Annali Idrologici e altre pubblicazioni del Compartimento di Napoli del S.I.M.N. Centro Funzionale per la Previsione Metereologica e il Monitoraggio Meteo-Idro-Pluviometrico e delle Frane, Regione Campania (Dataset).

  • Santacroce, R., 1987, Somma-Vesuvius, vol 8, Progetto Finalizzato Geodinamica, Monografie Finali. CNR, Quaderni de la Ricerca Scientifica, 104 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santacroce, R., Cioni, R., Marianelli, P., Sbrana, A., Sulpizio, R., Zanchetta, G., Donahue, D.J., and Joron, J.L., 2008, Age and whole rockglass compositions of proximal pyroclastics from the major explosive eruptions of Somma-Vesuvius: a review as a tool for distal tephrostratigraphy. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 177, 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scandone, R., Giacomelli, L., and Speranza, F.F., 2008, Persistent activity and violent strombolian eruptions at Vesuvius between 1631 and 1944. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 170, 167–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, G.A., 1986, Coarse-grained nonmarine volcaniclastic sediment: terminology and depositional process. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 97, 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sulpizio, R., Zanchetta, G., Demi, F., Di Vito, M.A., Pareschi, M.T., and Santacroce, R., 2006, The Holocene syneruptive volcaniclastic debris flows in the Vesuvian area: geological data as a guide for hazard assessment. Geological Society of America Special Papers, 402, 217–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vallance, J.W. and Iverson, R.M., 2015, Lahars and their deposits. In: Sigurdsson, H., Houghton, B., McNutt, S.R., Rymer, H., and Stix, J. (eds.), Encyclopedia of Volcanoes (2nd edition). Academic Press, London, p. 649–664. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-385938-9.00037-7

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Vallario, A., 2004, Sarno. Sei anni dalla catastrofe. Guida Editori, 174 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ventura, G., Vilardo, G., Bronzino, G., Gabriele, G., Nappi, R., and Terranova, C., 2005, Geomorphological map of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic complex (Italy). Journal of Maps, 1, 30–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ventura, G. and Vilardo, G., 2006, Tomomorphometry of the Somma-Vesuvius volcano (Italy). Geophysical Research Letters, 33, L17305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zanchetta, G., Sulpizio, R., Santacroce, R., Cosimi, G., Sgrò, S., Pareschi, M.T., Bisson, M., and Favalli, M., 2003, Volcaniclastic debris flows in the Clanio valley (Campania, Italy). Proceedings of the International Conference on Fast Slope Movements: Prediction and Prevention for Risk mitigation, Naples, May 11–13, Paper No. 036.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zanchetta, G., Sulpizio, R., and Di Vito, M.A., 2004a, The role of volcanic activity and climate in alluvial fan growth at volcanic areas: an example from southern Campania (Italy). Sedimentary Geology, 168, 249–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zanchetta, G., Sulpizio, R., Pareschi, M.T., Leoni, F.M., and Santacroce, R., 2004b, Characteristics of May 5–6, 1998 volcaniclastic debris flows in the Sarno area (Campania, southern Italy): relationships to structural damage and hazard zonation. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 133, 377–393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zevenbergen, L.W. and Thorne, C.R., 1987, Quantitative analysis of land surface topography. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 12, 47–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica a Vulcanologia (INGV), Sezione di Pisa, Via della Faggiola 32, 56126, Pisa, Italy

    Marina Bisson & Alessandro Tadini

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Napoli “Federico II”, Largo San Marcellino 10, 80138, Napoli, Italy

    Annarita Paolillo

  3. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, via G. La Pira 4, 50121, Firenze, Italy

    Alessandro Tadini

  4. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy

    Roberto Sulpizio

  5. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, via S. Maria, 53, 56126, Pisa, Italy

    Giovanni Zanchetta

Authors
  1. Marina Bisson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Annarita Paolillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alessandro Tadini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roberto Sulpizio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Giovanni Zanchetta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marina Bisson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bisson, M., Paolillo, A., Tadini, A. et al. Volcanoclastic flow hazard assessment in highly populated areas: a GIS-based approach applied to Torre del Greco municipality (Somma-Vesuvius, Italy). Geosci J 22, 501–522 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-017-0060-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-017-0060-2

Key words

Search

Navigation