Risk model for landslide hazard assessment

Landslide is a natural phenomenon widely spread in the Mediterranean. It is a process that shapes the Earth surface. Landslide events affect principally mountainous areas and zones with cut slopes. Consequences can be catastrophic when they occur in proximity of residential areas. Therefore a landslide event is often cause of death and economic damages. Risk evaluation, hazard assessment or prediction of landslides represent an interesting field of research. Landslide risk assessment needs for measurements and data processing with specific requirements of accuracy. As a consequence, the development of reliable risk models and prediction systems is a current and important challenge for researchers. In the manuscript, the authors deal with the landslide issue. A risk model for landslide hazard assessment is proposed. Information on landslide triggering events and historical data on previous landslides are used to draw hazard maps for the monitored area. Topographical and environmental information is used to divide the area in several local zones. For each zone, the associated risk level is estimated. A final hazard map provides general information on landslide risk, so to single out hazard situations for exposed population. The model can support the management and planning of suitable interventions and actions to reduce death and economic damages.