Remote Sensing and GIS-assisted Modelling to Address the Physical Vulnerability to the Action of Debris Flows, Based on Events of May 1998 in the Area of Sarno, Southern Italy

摘要

The destructive power of debris flows has been tragically demonstrated by the events of May 1998 in the area of Sarno, Southern Italy (Figure 1) (Calcaterra et al., 2000; Pareschi et al., 2000; Porfido et al., 2002; Toyos et al., 2003). Given that these flows were of small to moderate magnitude (de Riso et al., 1999; Zanchetta et al., 2004; Oramas Dorta et al., 2007, Toyos et al., 2007), rather than for the size of the events, the disaster was the result of unrestricted urban development on active alluvial fans, promoted by the lack of implementation of adequate plans for hazard mitigation. Therefore, planning for the reduction of vulnerability should be the main goal of the public administration and civil protection authorities in urbanised areas located on active fans and/or surrounded by slopes mantled by volcanic deposits (Figure 1).