Landslides in the marly slope of the Kapsali area in Kithira Island, Greece

摘要

In April 2004, the uphill area of the touristic Kapsali Golf, in the southern part of Kithira Island was affected by large-scale landslides. These landslides, which also affected the road between Kapsali-Kalamos, occurred in ground consisting of marl, overlain by limestone. This investigation indicated that the back analysis method of study gave more realistic results than the original laboratory tests because it more effectively factors the conditions at the time of ground failure-in particular, those parameters relating to the mechanical characteristics c and Ф of the substrate material. The natural slope of the marl-rich substrate presents a limited stability; this stability decreases during heavy rainfall. The cause of the slides investigated is the interaction between the silty clayey (CL-ML) substrate and heavy rainfall. The low porosity of the substrate impedes the slope drainage which in turn leads to saturated, unstable ground. The potential for new slides to occur in the area is real if no protective measures are taken.