Debris flow susceptibility zoning: An approach applied to a study area

Landslide susceptibility analysis allows drawing the susceptibility maps of an area, where the predicted areas involved by rapid landslides are drafted. The paper shows the susceptibility zoning of debris flows performed in an area in the Province of Reggio Calabria (Italy), regularly and historically involved by rapid flow-like landslide events. In particular, the source areas of landslides have been predicted using an heuristic method based on observed phenomena and on geological/geomorphological setting of the area (detailed and validated in field thematic maps). Then, propagation phase of debris flows has been analysed by an advanced method (numerical model) to assess the path, the travel distance and velocity of flowing mass. The obtained results represent a preliminary level of landslide susceptibility zoning of the area, developed on the base of nowadays available data, on which more sophisticated studies can be developed.