DOCSLIB.ORG

The Prehistoric Vajont Rockslide: an Updated Geological Model

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Prehistoric Vajont Rockslide: an Updated Geological Model See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257034796 The prehistoric Vajont rockslide: An updated geological model Article in Geomorphology · October 2012 DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.04.021 CITATIONS READS 39 63 2 authors: Paolo Paronuzzi Alberto Bolla University of Udine University of Udine 31 PUBLICATIONS 217 CITATIONS 12 PUBLICATIONS 83 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: A new comprehensive interpretation on the Vajont landslide View project Failure mechanisms of unstable rock slopes View project All content following this page was uploaded by Paolo Paronuzzi on 21 July 2017. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Geomorphology 169–170 (2012) 165–191 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Geomorphology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/geomorph The prehistoric Vajont rockslide: An updated geological model Paolo Paronuzzi ⁎, Alberto Bolla Dipartimento di Chimica, Fisica e Ambiente, Sezione Georisorse e Territorio, Università degli Studi di Udine, via Cotonificio 114‐33100 Udine, Italy article info abstract Article history: This study presents the detailed reconstruction of the entire structure of the prehistoric Vajont rockslide Received 12 July 2011 (about 270–300 million m3 of rocks and debris) for the first time, describing the complex geometry and Received in revised form 24 April 2012 the characteristic superimposition of distinct rigid blocks on a very thick shear zone. The prehistoric Vajont Accepted 26 April 2012 rockslide was characterized by an enormous ‘en masse’ motion of a rigid overlying rock mass (100–130 m Available online 3 May 2012 thick) that moved downslope, sliding onto a very thick shear zone (40–50 m thick, on average) made up of a chaotic assemblage of blocks, limestone angular gravel, and high plasticity clays (montmorillonitic clays). Keywords: Vajont (Vaiont) rockslide Coarse loose sediments, still exposed on the 9 October 1963 detachment surface, are always associated with Prehistoric landslide large blocks made of strongly fractured rock masses (Fonzaso Formation: middle‐upper Jurassic) preserving Shear zone the stratification. The blocks of stratified and folded limestone sequences appear to be ‘sheared off’ from the Multistage failure underlying bedrock and can be considered as displaced rock masses planed off by the motion of the overlying En masse motion rigid rock mass (‘rock mass shavings’). The prehistoric Vajont rockslide was characterized by a multistage Northeastern Italy failure with a marked retrogressive evolution. The first rupture (Pian del Toc block) rapidly destabilized the upper slope, mobilizing a second rock mass block (Pian della Pozza block) that, in turn, determined the multiple rupture of the revealed shear zone material (Massalezza lobe). Even if the exact timing of the differ- ent phases is not known, the entire multistaged failure process was very rapid. At the end of the multistage retrogressive failure, the slope morphology of the northern toe of Mt. Toc was drastically changed and the large failed rock mass settled into the preexisting Vajont Valley assuming the unusual chair-like geometry. The Vajont rockslide represents a very significant example on how a complex geological situation, if not adequately analyzed and reconstructed, can lead to dangerous misinterpretations or even to erroneous engi- neering–geological and geotechnical models. Accurate fieldwork and modern technologies can be fundamen- tal in solving such a very intriguing ‘geological puzzle.’ © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction The name ‘Vajont’ (Fig. 1) is used in this paper (the exact pronunci- ation in English is ‘Vaiont’) according to the current Italian toponymy, On 9 October 1963 at 10:39 p.m. (GMT+1), an enormous mass whereas other authors formerly utilized both Vajont and Vaiont. In cer- (about 270–300 million m3) of rocks and debris slid into the Vajont res- tain cases, even the same author utilized both spelling of the name in ervoir provoking a giant wave that overflowed the dam, destroying the different papers: as for example Semenza (Giudici and Semenza, village of Longarone and killing about 2000 people (Fig. 1). This event is 1960; Semenza, 1965, 2001, 2010)andMüller (1964, 1968, 1987). considered the most disastrous rockslide ever to occur in European ter- Even recently the well-known catastrophic rockslide has been reported ritory (Schuster, 1996), and for this reason it represents an important as Vajont (Kilburn and Petley, 2003; Paronuzzi, 2009b) and as the case history for scientists and researchers dealing with large rockslides Vaiont landslide (Genevois and Ghirotti, 2005; Alonso and Pinyol, and/or reservoir-induced slope failures. Owing to its scientificcomplex- 2010; Superchi et al., 2010). ity, the Vajont rockslide event is often regarded as a milestone in rock The bibliographical archive on the Vajont rockslide currently in- slope stability studies, and it has also been considered as the starting cludes more than 120 scientific papers and technical reports (Superchi point for the development of modern rock mechanics and rock engi- et al., 2010), starting from the first studies carried out at the time of neering (Hoek, 2007). Despite the great scientific interest related to the dam construction (Giudici and Semenza, 1960) to the latest histor- this catastrophic episode, many geological, hydrogeological, and geo- ical reviews (Semenza and Ghirotti, 2000; Genevois and Ghirotti, 2005; technical aspects of the Vajont rockslide still remain unexplained Ghirotti, 2006) and recent papers on specifictopics(Alonso and Pinyol, (Paronuzzi, 2009a). 2010; Pinyol and Alonso, 2010; Ferri et al., 2011a,b). If one examines the extensive bibliography on the Vajont rockslide, we see that most well- known research papers are written in the English language, but some ⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 0432 558718; fax: +39 0432 558700. Italian papers were published immediately after the 1963 catastrophe E-mail address: [email protected] (P. Paronuzzi). containing important geological descriptions that are often unavailable 0169-555X/$ – see front matter © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.04.021 166 P. Paronuzzi, A. Bolla / Geomorphology 169–170 (2012) 165–191 Fig. 1. Orthophoto (date: 6 August 1998) showing the Mt. Toc massif (at the bottom), the final stretch of the Vajont Valley with the Vajont rockslide area (in the central part), and the main Piave Valley (on the left). to international researchers. As a consequence, the adopted geotechni- documentation taken by Edoardo Semenza during his field investigations cal and hydrogeological models do not very often consider some impor- (1957–1965, mainly) was made available to the public in a digital format tant geological evidence that is mainly reported in papers written in the (Masè et al., 2004). Semenza's photographic archive is fundamental for Italian language. A ‘gap’ exists between the geological studies carried the objective reexamination of main geomorphological and geological out essentially by Italian researchers, first of all by Edoardo Semenza features that were visible on the field before the dramatic 1963 slope (the geologist who was the son of the dam designer, Carlo Semenza) failure. and the subsequent geotechnical investigations aimed at the mechani- From a conceptual viewpoint, the main aspect of the geological in- cal reconstruction of the catastrophic 1963 rockslide. On the other terpretation of the Vajont rockslide is the presence of an ancient hand, poor understanding of the geological conditions occurring on failed rock mass located on the northern toe of Mt. Toc. The occur- the Mt. Toc slope before the disaster has a determining influence on rence of an ancient failed rock mass (palaeoslide) was hypothesized the mechanical reconstruction and on related slope stability back- in 1959 by Edoardo Semenza after the identification of the paramount analyses. outcrop of ‘Colle Isolato’ (Semenza, 2001, 2010), as reported in his Among numerous scientific papers dealing with the Vajont rockslide, first technical report (Giudici and Semenza, 1960) ordered by SADE some fundamental works are of note: the special issue dedicated to the (i.e., the dam owner) and delivered to the dam designers on June first geological studies on the Vajont rockslide, written immediately 1960. Unfortunately, the hypothesis of an ancient failed rock mass after the disaster (Selli and Trevisan, 1964); two comprehensive papers or ‘prehistoric rockslide’ of Mt. Toc was not accepted by all the scien- written by Müller (1964, 1968) focusing on the main geotechnical and tists and engineers involved in the stability analyses, either during the hydrogeological features of the rockslide, including a review of the per- dam construction (the consultant geologists Giorgio Dal Piaz and formed slope stability back-analyses (Müller, 1968); the geological map Francesco Penta) or in the years following the catastrophe. For exam- of the Vajont rockslide, before and after the 9 October 1963 catastrophe, ple, Leopold Müller, the main geotechnical investigator of the Vajont surveyed immediately after the landslide and published for the first time rockslide, did not share Semenza's opinion on the prehistoric Vajont in 1965 (Rossi and Semenza); the book by Hendron and Patton (1985), or Mt. Toc rockslide and no reference to this topic was made in his
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Field Trip Report Vajont Valley & Latemar (Italy)
    04-06/07/2019 Field trip report Vajont valley & Latemar (Italy) Participants: Baville Paul Bonneau François Caumon Guillaume Clausolles Nicolas Frantz Yves Gouache Corentin Raguenel Margaux Schuh-Senlis Melchior IAMG Student Chapter Nancy RING TEAM - GEORESSOURCES Summary Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Chronostratigraphy of the field trip ........................................................................................................ 2 1. Vajont Formations (1 Figure 2, 65 – 160 Ma) .............................................................................. 2 2. Calcare del Vajont Formation (2 Figure 2, 160 – 170 Ma)........................................................... 3 3. Ignee Formation (3 Figure 2, 170 – 183 Ma) ............................................................................... 4 4. Soverzene Formation (4 Figure 2, 183 – 200 Ma) ....................................................................... 4 5. Dolomia Principale Formation (5 Figure 2, 200 – 230 Ma) ......................................................... 4 6. Rodella Formation (6 Figure 2, 230 – 247 Ma) ............................................................................ 5 7. Latemar Formation (7 Figure 2, 247 – 250 Ma) .......................................................................... 6 8. Bellerophon Formation (8 Figure 2, 250 – 258 Ma) ...................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Geological Considerations in Dams Failure Teodora Barbuntoiu A
    Geotechnical Hazards | Geological Considerations in Dams Failure Teodora Barbuntoiu A Thesis in the Field of GeoEngineering For the Degree of Bachelor of Applied Earth Science Supervisors: Dr.Ir. W. Broere Dr.Ir. D.J.M. Ngan-Tillard Delft University of Technology July 2019 Teodora Barbuntoiu | Geological considerations in dams failure | AESB3400 Bachelor Thesis Abstract Dams and reservoirs pose safety concerns to society worldwide. In case of a disaster, the water impounded in the reservoir escapes and destroys everything in its path. Reasons for failure range from geology, hydrology and seismicity, to design problems, lack of maintenance and poor field investigation. Prior cases show that various dams gave away mainly due to geological causes, so there is a particular interest to see how the local terrain features could influence the longevity of the structure. Three historical case studies are discussed in order to emphasize the impact of geology regarding dam failure. The Saint Francis Dam is a prime example of poor site investigation, where the lack of knowledge on the foundation rock led to the rupture of the gravity dam. The Malpasset Dam gave away predominantly due to underestimated effects of the uplift, nevertheless, the geologists were unaware of an active fault system and the mechanical properties of the rock mass. The Baldwin Hills Reservoir comes with a more thorough site investigation, yet still, due to earth movements, the water from the reservoir infiltrated through the embankment. Therefore, geological features at the site need to be included in the design options of the dam in order to ensure a safe, feasible and economical project.
    [Show full text]
  • Live, Virtual and Constructive Identity of the Italian Army Stability Policing
    6 1 0 LiveInside the issue 2 r e Live, Virtual and Constructive Identity of the b m Italian Army e c e D Stability Policing: towards new Operational - 4 Capabilities 2 e u s s Technological Innovation and National Security I #Wearejointandcombined 瘀攀爀礀眀栀攀爀攀 愀瀀椀搀氀礀 EDITOR’S NOTE by Col. ITA (A) Gianluigi ARCA CONTENTS NRDC-ITA Commander 攀爀 Lt. Gen. Roberto PERRETTI EDITORIAL BOARD FROM THE STAFF Editor in Chief: Col. ITA (A) Gianluigi ARCA • The eNRF Support Concept Seminar at NRDC-ITA 4 Editors : Lt. Col. ITA (A) Vincenzo SCHETTINI, Maj. GBR (A) Christopher • Stability Policing: towards new Operational Capabilities 6 DAVIES • Public Affairs to become independent branch within HQ! 8 Assistant Editor and Graphic Designer: • NRDC-ITA CIS drives NATO technological innovation! 12 Cpl. ITA (A) Chiara MONTI ...................... • Live, Virtual and Constructive Identity of the Italian Army 14 Assistant in Imagery and Post Production: • Technological Innovation and National Security 20 WO1 ITA (A) Francesco CIVITELLI Photographers: Cpl. ITA (A) Raffaele SAN- SEVERINO, Cpl. ITA (A) Mattia RUSSO Web: WO ITA (A) Italo BOATO SPORT BOARD The everywhere rapidly is the autorized offi- ear reader, cial pubblication of NATO Rapid Deploy- able Corps, Italy. All editorial content of the • Exercise Eagle Triglav 28 this issue marks an im- “ER” issue, in fact, is honoured to everywhere rapidly is prepared , edited and • NRDC-ITA Mountain Military Training on Dolomites 30 Dportant and challenging host an article by Maj. Gen. Mau- approved by the NRDC -ITA Commander, period for NRDC-ITA. The Hea- rizio Boni, who as Ce.Si.Va.
    [Show full text]
  • Book Review of “The Story of Vaiont Told by the Geologist Who Discovered the Landslide”
    Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 11, 485–486, 2011 www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/11/485/2011/ Natural Hazards doi:10.5194/nhess-11-485-2011 and Earth © Author(s) 2011. CC Attribution 3.0 License. System Sciences Book Review of “The Story of Vaiont Told by the Geologist Who Discovered the Landslide” F. Guzzetti1 and G. Lollino2 1Istituto di Ricerca per la Protezione Idrogeologica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Madonna Alta 126, 06128 Perugia, Italy 2Istituto di Ricerca per la Protezione Idrogeologica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy THE STORY OF VAIONT TOLD BY THE GEOL- jont landslide in August 1959, four years before the catas- OGIST WHO DISCOVERED THE LANDSLIDE, BY: trophic failure. Semenza performed a systematic, large-scale E. SEMENDA, K-FLASH PUBLISHER, FERRARA, 205 geological and geomorphological investigation of the area, PAGES, PRICE: 28.00 C, ISBN 978-88-89288-02-3 and specifically of the site affected by the landslide before the On 9 October 1963, at 10:39 p.m. local time, between 240 slope failed catastrophically. During his fieldwork, Semenza and 300 million cubic meters of sedimentary rocks detached was able to identify and document a number of geological from Mount Toc, in Veneto, northern Italy, and slid into the and morphological features that he correctly interpreted as Vajont Lake. The falling rock mass acted like a huge piston, evidence of the presence of a very large, ancient landslide pushing the water of the lake against Casso and Erto, two deposit. The geomorphological information and geological small villages on the slope in front of the slope that failed, data collected by Semenza remain a brilliant example of a and then over an artificial dam 210 m high.
    [Show full text]
  • Expecting Disaster: the 1963 Landslide of the Vajont Dam
    Expecting Disaster: The 1963 Landslide of the Vajont Dam Wilko Graf von Hardenberg On October 9, 1963, at 10:39 pm 260 million cubic meters of rock broke off from the top of Monte Toc, on the border between Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. It fell into the reservoir of the Vajont Dam, producing an enormous wave of at least 50 million cubic meters of water. The dam, completed in 1959 and one of the biggest in the world at the time, did not suffer any serious damage. However, flooding destroyed several villages in the valley and killed almost 2,000 people. A third of the population of Longarone, the largest village downstream of the dam, perished. The town of Longarone, Italy, before the landslide, 1963. The town of Longarone after the dam was overtopped by a giant wave. Unknown photographer, 1963. Courtesy of Vajont Survivor’s Committee. Unknown photographer, 1963. Click here to view image source. Courtesy of the Vajont Survivor’s Committee. Click here to view image source. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0 License . This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0 License . Though the dam incorporated the latest technical expertise, it had been built without due consideration of geological reports, possible tectonic problems, local knowledge of the territory and Monte Toc’s connate instability. Source URL: http://www.environmentandsociety.org/node/3401 Print date: 04 March 2020 11:07:46 Hardenberg, Wilko Graf von. "Expecting Disaster: The 1963 Landslide of the Vajont Dam." Arcadia ( 2011), no.
    [Show full text]
  • Masculinity and Political Authority 241 7.1 Introduction 241
    Durham E-Theses The political uses of identity an enthnography of the northern league Fernandes, Vasco Sérgio Costa How to cite: Fernandes, Vasco Sérgio Costa (2009) The political uses of identity an enthnography of the northern league, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/2080/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk University of Durham The Political Uses of Identity: An Ethnography of the Northern The copyright of this thesis rests with the author or the university to which it was League submitted. No quotation from it, or information derived from it may be published without the prior written consent of the author or university, and any information derived from it should be acknowledged. By Vasco Sergio Costa Fernandes Department of Anthropology April 2009 Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Supervisors: Dr Paul Sant Cassia Dr Peter Collins 2 1 MAY 2009 Abstract This is a thesis about the Northern League {Lega Nord), a regionalist and nationalist party that rose to prominence during the last three decades in the north of Italy Throughout this period the Northern League developed from a peripheral and protest movement, into an important government force.
    [Show full text]
  • Induced Earthquakes
    Department of Political Science Bachelor in Politics, Philosophy and Economics Chair in Population Environment and Sustainability THE EFFECTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON THE EARTH: INDUCED EARTHQUAKES SUPERVISOR Prof. Marcello di Paola CANDIDATE Chiara Ghesini 076572 ACADEMIC YEAR 2016/201 1 INDEX Introduction 3 1.1 Reservoir- Induced Seismicity 5 1.2 Zipingpu Dam 1.3 Vajont Dam 2.0 Underground Open-Pit Mining 9 3.0 Geothermal Energy 11 4.0 Nuclear Activity 13 4.1 Nuclear Events 5.0 Underground Waste Water Injection and Massive Extraction 17 5.1 Praga Oklahoma Earthquake 6.0 State Institutions 21 6.1 Federal Institutions 6.1.2 Environmental Protection Agency 6.1.3 Bureau of Land Management 6.1.4 U.S. Forest Service 6.1.5 United States Geological Survey 6.2 Castor Project 7.0 Considerations 30 Conclusion 32 Bibliography 33 2 Introduction Earthquakes have always been considered natural events in our societies, causing hundreds of victims every year around the entire world. Nowadays the things are changing, due to the increased request of natural sources and the continuous growth of world’s population, more energy and more resources are being required. Our epoch can be perfectly defined with the term “Anthropocene”, referring to the influence that human activities have on our planet, basing the evidence on continuous atmospheric, hydrologic, geologic and biospheric alterations. Starting in the 1950s, this process is damaging the earth with a trend that, if not reversed, is going to leave future generations in a hopeless situation. Having been born in this time period we are used to take many of the utilities we have for granted, not knowing that we obtain them through activities like gas storage, mining and underground water extraction.
    [Show full text]
  • Monografia Che Tenete in Mano
    RDM_SantaGiustina_book.indd 1 11/09/19 08:10 Parte Due Content Part Two Santa Giustina Parte Uno 11 Chi siamo Part One About Us RDM Group 12 La nostra Storia Our History 14 La nostra Vision Our Vision 16 I nostri Valori Our Values 18 Together we shape the Future Together we shape the Future Parte Tre 20 Struttura operativa del Gruppo Part Three Group Operations Framework Our People 22 Dove siamo Where we are 24 Modello di Business Business Model 26 I nostri prodotti Our Products 2 RDM_SantaGiustina_book.indd 2 11/09/19 08:10 Parte Due 31 Santa Giustina e RDM Group Content Part Two Santa Giustina and RDM Group Santa Giustina 32 Highlight Highlights 38 Storia dello stabilimento History of the Mill 42 Gli Stakeholder di Santa Giustina The Stakeholders of Santa Giustina 44 I clienti di Santa Giustina The customers of Santa Giustina 46 La sostenibilità per Santa Giustina Sustainability for Santa Giustina Chi siamo About Us 48 Le foto di ieri Yesterday’s Photographs La nostra Storia Our History 80 Le foto di oggi Today’s Photographs La nostra Vision Our Vision 100 I prodotti di Santa Giustina The Products of Santa Giustina I nostri Valori Our Values 108 Certificazioni Certifications Together we shape the Future Together we shape the Future Parte Tre 112 Massimo Marcer Struttura operativa del Gruppo Part Three 116 Gianluca Scaglioni Group Operations Framework Our People 120 Francesco Canal 124 Diana Callegari Dove siamo 128 Dino Dal Pan Where we are 132 Giancarlo De Min Modello di Business 136 Fabrizia Casagrande Business Model 138 Paolo Brugnera Muraro 140 Emilio Dal Zot I nostri prodotti Our Products 142 Fin che ‘l pope gira 3 RDM_SantaGiustina_book.indd 3 11/09/19 08:10 LETTERA DEL CEO Gentili, si dice che gli anniversari vadano sempre festeggiati, penso però che alcuni meritino davvero un’attenzione speciale.
    [Show full text]
  • Physical Modeling of Landslide Generated Tsunamis and the 50Th Anniversary of the Vajont Dam Disaster
    Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 15, EGU2013-12984, 2013 EGU General Assembly 2013 © Author(s) 2013. CC Attribution 3.0 License. Physical Modeling of Landslide Generated Tsunamis and the 50th Anniversary of the Vajont Dam Disaster Brian C. McFall, Fahad Mohammed, and Hermann M. Fritz Georgia Institute of Technology, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Savannah, United States ([email protected]) The Vajont river is an affluent of the Piave River located in the Dolomite Alps of the Veneto Region, about 100km north of Venice. A 265.5 m high double curved arch dam was built across a V-shaped gorge creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 0.169 km3. A maximum water depth of 250 m was reached by early September 1963 during the third filling attempt of the reservoir, but as creeping on the southern flank increased the third reservoir draw down was initiated. By October 9, 1963 the water depth was lowered to 240m as the southern flank of Vajont reservoir catastrophically collapsed on a length of more than 2km. Collapse occurred during reservoir drawdown in a final attempt to reduce flank creeping and the reservoir was only about two-thirds full. The partially submerged rockslide with a volume of 0.24 km3 penetrated into the reservoir at velocities up to 30 m/s. The wave runup in direct prolongation of slide axis reached the lowest houses of Casso 270m above reservoir level before impact corresponding to 245m above dam crest (Müller, 1964). The rockslide deposit came within 50m of the left abutment and towers up to 140m above the dam crest.
    [Show full text]
  • Dam-Break Problems, Solutions and Case Studies
    Dam-break Problems, Solutions and Case Studies WITPRESS WIT Press publishes leading books in Science and Technology. Visit our website for the current list of titles. www.witpress.com WITeLibrary Home of the Transactions of the Wessex Institute, the WIT electronic-library provides the international scientific community with immediate and permanent access to individual papers presented at WIT conferences. Visit the WIT eLibrary at http://library.witpress.com Dam-break Problems, Solutions and Case Studies Editors: D. de Wrachien State University of Milan, Italy & S. Mambretti Politecnico Di Milano, Italy D. de Wrachien State University of Milan, Italy S. Mambretti Politecnico Di Milano, Italy Published by WIT Press Ashurst Lodge, Ashurst, Southampton, SO40 7AA, UK Tel: 44 (0) 238 029 3223; Fax: 44 (0) 238 029 2853 E-Mail: [email protected] http://www.witpress.com For USA, Canada and Mexico WIT Press 25 Bridge Street, Billerica, MA 01821, USA Tel: 978 667 5841; Fax: 978 667 7582 E-Mail: [email protected] http://www.witpress.com British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A Catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978-1-84564-142-9 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2009930795 The texts of the papers in this volume were set individually by the authors or under their supervision. No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher, the Editors and Authors for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein.
    [Show full text]
  • Europe's Battery: the Making of the Alpine Energy Landscape, 1870- 1955
    EUROPE'S BATTERY: THE MAKING OF THE ALPINE ENERGY LANDSCAPE, 1870- 1955 A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Georgetown University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History By Marc D. Landry II, M.A. Washington, DC April 2, 2013 Copyright 2013 by Marc D. Landry II All Rights Reserved ii EUROPE'S BATTERY: THE MAKING OF THE ALPINE ENERGY LANDSCAPE, 1870- 1955 Marc D. Landry II, M.A. Thesis Advisor: John R. McNeill, Ph.D. ABSTRACT This study examines the environmental history of hydropower development in the Alps from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries. Analyzing government archival files, associational journals, conference proceedings, and published contemporary material from several Alpine countries, it seeks to determine how and why Europeans modified the Alpine landscape to generate hydropower, and to explore the consequences of these decisions. I argue that during this time period, Europeans thoroughly transformed the Alpine environment, creating what I call "Europe's Battery": a gigantic system for storing hydropower and distributing it on a continental scale. This study shows how nineteenth-century innovations in energy technology contributed to a dramatic shift in the perception of the Alps as a landscape of "white coal." It demonstrates how at the outset of electrification, Europeans modified Alpine waterways on an unprecedented scale in order to tap into the power of flowing Alpine water. I show how after the turn of the twentieth century, Europeans took advantage of the unique mountain environment to store water, first by converting existing lakes into reservoirs.
    [Show full text]
  • Bianchizza-VAJONT.Pdf
    DOI: 10.4408/IJEGE.2013-06.B-50 DOMINATION OF OR ADAPTATION TO NATURE? A LESSON WE CAN STILL LEARN FROM THE VAJONT Chiara BIANCHIZZa(*) & SimoNe FRIGERIO(**) (*)ISIG - Institute of International Sociology of Gorizia - Via Mazzini, 13 - 34170 Gorizia, Italy (**)C.N.R. - I.R.P.I. - Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection, Italian National Research Council - C.so Stati Uniti, 4 - 35127 Padova, Italy ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION "Risk perception" for social science implies that As of today, tons of paper have been written about risk can be judged through mental models embedded the Vajont catastrophe. Newspapers have reported the in social/cultural environments and shaped by media chronicles of the days following the landslide into the and peer influences. water reservoir and of the trials, engineers and geolo- This paper reviews risk perception dynamics in gists have studied the technical aspects of the event, Vajont case. The disaster of 1963 left a strong mark legal experts the procedures that led to the progressive on morphology and history of the communities and land acquisitions in the valley, psychologists the marks in the national public opinion. The event determined left on the survivors by the disaster that took place on the end of a local approach to inhabiting a territory. the 9th of October 1963, just to mention few of the do- While inhabitants of Piave valley had adapted to the mains of research that have focused on the Vajont. mountain environment, the national project of pro- 50 years later we have no groundbreaking revela- ducing hydroelectricity embodied a new modernity, tions to make, all has been already written and the aimed at human domination of nature.
    [Show full text]