High-resolution electrical imaging of the Varco d'Izzo earthflow (southern Italy)

Geoelectrical prospecting techniques have been applied in the study of the Varco d'Izzo landslide, one of the most interesting of its type. It is characterized by a rototranslational movement in the early stage and successively has undergone earthflow-type movement, which still continues today. This landslide is located in the Southern Apennine area near the city of Potenza (Italy). In particular, electrical resistivity tomographies (ERT) and self-potential surveys (SP) have been carried out by combining modem technologies for data acquisition and new methods for data inversion. The high resolution of the electrical tomographic images helped us to accurately describe the geometry of this landslide body. Joint interpretation of geophysical, geological and geomorphological data allowed us to identify the sliding surface, estimate the thickness of the mobilized material and describe the main patterns of the subsurface fluid flows in Varco d'Izzo landslide. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.