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An analysis of debris-flow events in the Sardinia Island (Thyrrenian Sea, Italy)

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Abstract

On 6 December 2004, the Villagrande Strisaili area (middle-east Sardinia), was struck by debris flows; 330 mm of rainfall took place within 3 h with an hourly intensity of 120 mm, which is far more above than normal for the study area. In the urban center stony and driftwood deposits accounted for a total volume estimated as 10,000 m3. The event claimed huge amount of infrastructural loss and two human lives. According to the chronicle reports, the area experienced two debris-flow events in the last century. The present paper is the outcome of an intensive study of such debris-flow events including their physical processes and geomorphological effects through both field survey and laboratory analysis.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful to the ex-Major of Villagrande Strisaili (Mr. G.A. Basoccu), Dr. G. Puligheddu (Regione Sardegna, Hydrographic Office), Mrs. M.R. Scalas (Cagliari University Library), Dr. A. Monni and Dr. P. Rubiu (Villagrande) for their support in carrying out the present research. Special thanks are due to Dr. J. Huebl and R. Kaitna for help and assistance in laboratory essays in Bodenkultur University, Wien. We are indebted to the learned reviewers for their valuable suggestions. We are also thankful to Ms. Sushmita Saha for going through the final manuscript carefully.

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Correspondence to Laura Turconi.

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Turconi, L., De, S.K., Demurtas, F. et al. An analysis of debris-flow events in the Sardinia Island (Thyrrenian Sea, Italy). Environ Earth Sci 69, 1509–1521 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-1985-4

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