Insights on the kinematics of deep-seated gravitational slope deformations along the 1915 Avezzano earthquake fault (Central Italy), from time-series DInSAR

Among the causes of deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DGSD), the most important is relief
energy, which is closely related to the intensity of the active tectonic deformations, either at the regional
scale or at the scale of a single active fault. We analyzed some examples of DGSD from the Eastern border of
the Fucino basin, in the Central Apennines, where extensional tectonics has been active since the late
Pliocene. Photogeological and field geomorphological analysis was performed to identify landforms typically
associated with DGSD, such as counterslope scarps, double crests, trenches, and bulging slopes. These
features are located on a mountain range at less than 1 km from the causative fault of the 1915 Avezzano
earthquake.
We used the SBAS Differential SAR Interferometry technique to measure the slow movements of the surface,
and calculated differential vertical and horizontal ground velocities of 2–4 mm yr−1 during the period
spanning from 1992 to 2001. The quantitative information on the kinematics of the deformation provided
some inferences on the different processes responsible for the evolution of the observed DGSD. The
displacement time series shows non-linear deformation trends at some locations, possibly correlated with a
strong meteorological event. We speculate that DGSD in this area are normally subject to slow deformation,
and that sudden slip along sliding surfaces (observed in excavations) may sporadically be triggered off by
extreme meteorological or seismic events. Evidence of catastrophic collapse of previous DGSD along the
same mountain slope reinforce this hypothesis.

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