The 1st Willy Alvarenga Lacerda lecture: New perspectives for landslide analysis and management

Abstract

Landslides are widespread all over the world, often causing significant consequences in terms of loss of life and property damage. This explains why many scientists from Geology and Geotechnics have long been engaged in solving complex problems of both theoretical and practical interest. Geologists have systematically investigated the common characteristics of landslides proposing several classification systems, while not providing general laws for the triggering and evolution stages. Geotechnical engineers have implemented models to quantitatively analyze these stages but not to develop a general framework for typical landslide behaviors. Aimed to bridge the scientific branches dealing with landslides and based on the past efforts of many researchers all over the world, this paper focuses on deep-seated landslides developing along an existing and/or a new slip surface and multiple shallow landslides that may involve large areas in short periods of time. Considering that these phenomena are often analyzed at one single topographical scale and through monodisciplinary approaches, the paper proposes a new vision that highlights the possibility of a landslide management modern and open to the advanced technologies.