Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Encyclopedia of Natural Hazards pp 151–155Cite as

Deep-seated Gravitational Slope Deformation

Part of the Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series book series (EESS)

Definition

A deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DGSD) is a gravity-induced process affecting large portions of slopes evolving over very long periods of time. A DGSD may displace rock volumes of up to hundreds of millions of cubic meters, with thicknesses of up to a few hundred meters.

Introduction

Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DGSDs) are not considered hazardous phenomena because they evolve very slowly. However, they must not be neglected when defining slope instability in a territory and the related hazard implications. Despite their slow deformation rates, DGSDs may cause damage to surface and underground (e.g., tunnels) structures. In addition, they may evolve into faster mass movements or favor collateral landslide processes.

Causes

Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations are often recognized in formerly glaciated valleys and in seismically active mountain regions. The occurrence of DGSD is generally related to tensional stresses induced by gravity...

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   599.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Bibliography

  • Agliardi, F., Crosta, G., and Zanchi, A., 2001. Structural constraints on deep-seated slope deformation kinematics. Engineering Geology, 59, 83–102.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. C., 1968. Gravity faulting as a mechanism of topographic adjustment. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 11(1), 191–199.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Bisci, C., Dramis, F., and Sorriso-Valvo, M., 1996. Rock flow (sackung). In Dikau, R., Brunsden, D., Schrott, L., and Ibsen, M.-L. (eds.), Landslide Recognition: Identification, Movement and Causes. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 150–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bovis, M. J., and Evans, S. G., 1995. Rock slope movements along the Mount Currie "fault scarp", Southern Coast Mountains, British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Earth Science, 32, 2015–2020.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Coltorti, M., Dramis, F., Gentili, B., Pambianchi, G., Crescenti, U., and Sorriso-Valvo, M., 1985. The December 1982 Ancona landslide: a case of deep-seated gravitational slope deformation evolving at unsteady rate. Zeitschrift fuer Geomorphologie N. F., 29(3), 335–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conti, S., and Tosatti, G., 1996. Tectonic vs gravitational processes affecting Ligurian and Epiligurian units in the Marecchia valley (Northern Apennines). Memorie di Scienze Geologiche, 48, 107–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cruden, D. M., and Varnes, D. J., 1996. Landslides types and processes. In Turner, A. K., and Schuster, R. L. (eds.), Landslides: Investigation and Mitigation. Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences, Special Report 247, pp. 36–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dramis, F., and Sorriso-Valvo, M., 1983. Two cases of earthquake-triggered gravitational spreading in Algeria and in Italy. Rendiconti della Società Geologica Italiana, 6, 7–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dramis, F., and Sorriso-Valvo, M., 1994. Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations, related landslides and tectonics. Engineering Geology, 38, 231–243.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez, F., Ortuño, M., Lucha, P., Guerrero, J., Acosta, E., Coratza, P., Piacentini, D., and Soldati, M., 2008. Late Quaternary episodic displacement on a sackung scarp in the Central Spanish Pyrenees. Palaeoseismic evidence? Geodinamica Acta, 21(4), 187–202.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez-Santolalla, F., Acosta, E., Ríos, S., Guerrero, J., and Lucha, P., 2005. Geomorphology and geochronology of sackung features (uphill-facing scarps) in the Central Spanish Pyrenees. Geomorphology, 69(1–4), 298–314.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, K., Clague, J. J., and Orwin, J. F., 2008. Legacies of catastrophic rock slope failures in mountain landscapes. Earth-Science Reviews, 87, 1–38.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kostak, B., and Avramova-Taceva, E., 1981. Propagation of coastal slope deformations at Taukliman, Bulgaria. Bulletin of the IAEG, 23, 67–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahr, T., 1977. Deep-reaching gravitational deformations of high mountain slopes. Bulletin of the IAEG, 16, 121–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahr, T., and Nemčok, A., 1977. Deep-seated creep deformations in the crystalline cores of the Tatry Mts. Bulletin of the IAEG, 16, 104–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malgot, J., 1977. Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations in neovolcanic mountain ranges of Slovakia. Bulletin of the IAEG, 16, 106–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCalpin, J. P., and Hart, E. W., 2003. Ridge-top spreading features and relationship to earthquakes, San Gabriel Mountain region, southern California. In Hart E. W. (ed.), Ridge-Top Spreading in California: Contributions toward Understanding a Significant Seismic Hazard. California Geological Survey, CD 2003–05.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moro, M., Saroli, M., Salvi, S., Stramondo, S., and Doumaz, F., 2007. The relationship between seismic deformation and deep-seated gravitational movements during the 1997 Umbria-Marche (Central Italy) earthquakes. Geomorphology, 89, 297–307.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Nemčok, A., 1972. Gravitational slope deformation in high mountains. In Proceedings 24th International Geological Congress, Montreal, Sect. 13, pp. 132–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasek, J., 1974. Gravitational block-type movements. In Proceedings 2nd International Congress. São Paulo, Brasil: IAEG, pp. V-PC-1.1–V-PC-1.9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasuto, A., and Soldati, M., 1996. Rock spreading. In Dikau, R., Brunsden, D., Schrott, L., and Ibsen, M.-L. (eds.), Landslide Recognition: Identification, Movement and Causes. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 122–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radbruch-Hall, D. H., 1978. Gravitational creep on rock masses on slopes. In Voight, B. (ed.), Rockslides and avalanches. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 607–675.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Savage, W. Z., and Varnes, D. J., 1987. Mechanics of gravitational spreading of steep-sided ridges (“Sackung”). Bulletin of the IAEG, 35, 31–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ter-Stepanian, G., 1966. Types of depth creep of slopes in rock masses. In Proceedings 1st Conference of International Society for Rock Mechanics, Lisbon, Sect. 2, pp. 157–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ter-Stepanian, G., 1977. Deep-reaching gravitational deformation of mountain slopes. Bulletin of the IAEG, 16, 87–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Terzaghi, K., 1950. Mechanism of landslides. In Paige, S. (ed.), Application of Geology to Engineering Practice (Berkey Volume). Washington, DC: Geological Society of America, pp. 83–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zischinsky, Ü., 1969. Über Sackungen. Rock Mechanics, 1(1), 30–52.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Zischinsky, Ü., 1966. On the deformation of high slopes. In Proceedings 1st Conference of International Society for Rock Mechanics, Lisbon, Sect. 2, pp. 179–185.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Largo S. Eufemia 19, 41121, Modena, Italy

    Dr. Mauro Soldati

Authors
  1. Dr. Mauro Soldati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mauro Soldati .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada

    Peter T. Bobrowsky

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this entry

Cite this entry

Soldati, M. (2013). Deep-seated Gravitational Slope Deformation. In: Bobrowsky, P.T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Natural Hazards. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4399-4_86

Download citation

search

Navigation