The Role of Knowledge in the prevention of
natural hazards and related risks.

IJPP ­ Italian Journal of Planning Practice 1Vol. III, issue 1 ­ 2013

Enrico Miccadei, Tommaso Piacentini

ISSN: 2239­267X

Laboratory of tectonic geomorphology and GIS
miccadei@unich.it – tpiacentini@unich.it
Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Geologia INGEO ­ Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio Chieti ­ Pescara

ABSTRACT
Human activities, especially over the last two centuries, have had a
huge impact on the environment and the landscape. Mankind is able
to control and induce landscape changes but is subject to natural
processes and hazards due to severe and extreme events (particularly
earthquakes but also landslides and flooding) and related risks. Risks
are the result of hazards, exposed elements and vulnerability and they
are consequently not only an expression of the natural environment,
but also related to human interaction with nature. Risks need to be
addressed regularly by means of a high level of knowledge in order to
provide most up­to­date information for any decision which needs to
be taken by any party involved.
A high level of knowledge concerning natural hazards and related risks
stems from the geological and geomorphological history and from the
historical records of the natural processes and grows with multi­scale,
multi­temporal and multidisciplinary studies and investigations, which
include land management, economic and social issues.



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A strong effort has to be made in this way to improve risk assessment
and the enforcement of existing laws and ­ if necessary ­ new laws,
really stem from recent disasters. This will help to achieve improved
and effective land management, based on an interdisciplinary
approach in which expert geologists and land managers will play a
role, because of the importance of natural processes in inducing risks.

INTRODUCTION
Human activities, especially over the last two centuries, have had a huge
impact on the environment and the landscape due to industrialization and
land­use changes, which lead to climate change, deforestation,
desertification, land degradation, and air and water pollution1. These impacts
are strongly linked to the occurrence of natural disasters and to related
geological and geomorphological hazards, such as earthquakes, floods,
mudflows, landslides, snow avalanches, soil erosion, but also subsidence,
volcanic eruptions and other phenomena2.
The whole of Italy, and particularly the Central Apennines, are geologically
recent and active and are affected by most natural hazards (seismic, volcanic,
landslides, floods, soil and coastal erosion). Concerning seismic risks, recent
earthquakes (Friuli, 1976; Irpina, 1980; Umbria­Marche, 1997; San Giuliano
di Puglia, 2002; L’Aquila, 2009, Emilia, 2012) show that the damages due to
side­effects could in some cases exceed the economic and social losses
directly connected to the seismic shaking. Flooding induced by heavy rainfall,
as well as landslides, has affected several areas of Italy from south to north in
the last decades and particularly over the last ten years as a direct effect of
geomorphological processes (i.e. Vayont, 1963; Florence, 1966; Valtellina,
1987; Crotone, 1996; Soverato, 2000; Abruzzo coastal and hilly area, 2003,

Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

history as the emergence of a new “global geological agent” able to induce
morphogenetic processes unknown in previous eras, and named the present one as the
Anthropozoic era, now Anthropocene.

The Abbot Stoppani in the 19th century already defined the ‘debut’ of humankind in geological1

Alcántara­Ayala & Goudie, 2010.2



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2007, 2011, 2012; Messina, 2009; Maierato, 2010; Liguria, 2011; etc.).
Scientists come from all over the world willing to exchange views and
tackle the problems of a geologically evolving landscape. Our peninsula
started being studied several centuries ago, when geology, and particularly
geomorphology and Quaternary geology, were considered pioneering
sciences studied and taught by scientists who strongly believed in
knowledge as the basis for human development and civilization. Recent
studies have focused on different issues: defining the age of rocks and their
formation; understanding slope, fluvial, lacustrine and marsh systems and
their evolution and interaction in time (at time scales from seconds and
minutes to thousands or millions of years); understanding the interaction of
marine and continental processes; basically understanding the interaction
between the processes that developed under the earth surface and those
taking place over it, whose balance defines the landscape and its evolution.
Natural severe events which occurred in the last 5 or 10 years in Italy and
induced disasters (Fig. 1 shows some cases in the Abruzzo region) will
provide data for several scientific publications, but all these studies must
become the subject of environmental and geological education and must be
understood and acknowledged by governmental bodies and lawmakers.

Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

Figure 1 – Natural severe events that affected the Abruzzo region in the last 5 years: a) Soil
erosion and landslides (northern Abruzzo, 2007); b) earthquake (L’Aquila, 2009); c) flood
(northern Abruzzo, 2011).



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Scientists and social scientists study risks on a statistical and/or historical
basis, analyzing chronicles and cases and performing direct observations of
recent severe natural events. The knowledge of hazards and risks grows by
analyzing every new event and its direct and indirect effects, opening up
new perspectives and interpretations. The work undertaken by geologists
and geomorphologists includes not only the understanding, but also the
mapping and modelling of the Earth’s surface processes, and many of these
processes directly affect human activities and societies. In addition, they are
now increasingly related to the extent of societal problem­solving, which
can be expressed through vulnerability analyses, along with hazard and risk
assessment3.
It is now completely clear – and perhaps it was from the beginning – that
most natural disasters are actually severe or extreme natural processes which
become “disasters” because of human activities and unsustainable land
management (i.e. urban areas, industrial areas, roads and other
infrastructures built on river valleys, coastal plains, seismic areas, without
correct planning). A disaster occurs when an anthropic system experiences a
natural event and is not able to withstand and absorb the energy produced by
the event without damages and losses.
This paper aims to outline and highlight how the knowledge of natural
processes and their interaction with human activities provides the most
effective tools and methods to prevent natural risks and ensure a safer
human environment. This can only be achieved through complete
multidisciplinary, multi­scale and multi­temporal studies based on
geological and geomorphological investigation and mapping, but also by
integrating engineering, architectural, economic and social issues. In this
perspective, boundaries between professional and academic disciplines
should be effectively overcome, as they hinder the knowledge process or
even prevent the search for causes, effects, impacts, vulnerability and other
issues connected with natural disasters4.

Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

Alcántara­Ayala & Goudie, 2010.3
Alcántara­Ayala, 2002; Crozier & Glade, 2010.4



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FUNDAMENTALS
In the broad non­technical sense ‘hazards’ are defined as those processes and
situations, actions or non­actions that have the potential to bring about
damage, loss or other adverse effects to those attributes valued by mankind.
Thus, in common usage, the term ‘hazard’ has two different meanings: first,
the physical process or activity that is potentially damaging and second, the
threatening state or condition, indicated by likelihood of occurrence. The
concept of ‘risk’ can thus be seen as having two components: the likelihood
of something adverse happening and the consequences if it happens5.
The risks due to natural processes depend on the relationship between the
natural state of the earth system (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and
biosphere) and the ability of the socio­economic system to adapt to the earth
system. Risk (R) is calculated by multiplying the three factors, natural hazard
(H), elements at risk (E) and vulnerability (V): R = H x E x V6 (Fig. 2).

Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

Figure 2 – Conceptual relationship between hazard, elements at risk, vulnerability and risk
(Alexander, 2002).

Natural hazards are natural events that can cause loss of life or damage to
property. A severe or extreme event is any event affecting a geosystem that
remarkably differs from the average values measured for the phenomenon
concerned (e.g. seismic shaking, rainfall, wind, river discharge, sea waves,

Bell, 1999; Crozier & Glade, 2005.5
Alexander, 2002.6



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etc.). Vulnerability is defined as the inability of an element or system to
maintain its structure and pattern of behaviour in the presence of a
geomorphologic hazard; it is given in a scale from 0 (no loss) to 1 (total loss).
This means that the level of a disaster is due to the level of damages and
losses to the anthropic system that is affected by a severe/extreme natural
event being not able to sustain its energy. This definition shows that geologic
and geomorphologic hazards are only a problem when they interfere with
anthropic systems. Risk can increase due to an increase of the hazard
(change in the geologic and geomorphologic systems) or due to an increase
of the vulnerability and/or value of the exposed elements (change in the
socio­economic environment and or land use). In this context, value not only
implies economic value but can also include intrinsic, scientific, sentimental
or ecological values.
Parameters reflecting the sensitivity of the geosystem (natural hazard) and
the social system (vulnerability and element at risk) can be identified and
extracted from accessible databases and from multi­scale, multi­temporal
and multidisciplinary studies7. However, investigation of natural hazards and
risks is a diverse and complex undertaking and may include geotechnical
and engineering assessments, geomorphological and geographical analysis,
political and management perspectives, as well as economic and social
considerations8. It also includes susceptibility zoning which refers to the
likelihood of a process occurring in an area on the basis of local terrain
conditions; it is the degree to which an area can be affected by future natural
events; for instance, an estimate of ‘where’ landslides are likely to occur.
More generally, susceptibility consists of the assessment of what has
happened in the past, and hazard evaluation consists in the prediction of
what will happen in the future9.
In Italy these issues, and particularly geology and geomorphology for the
prevention of natural risks, starting from Law No. 183/89, are only partially
included in existing laws:

Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

Alexander, 2002; Fabietti, 2002; Crozier & Glade, 2005; Glade & Crozier, 2005; Lupia Palmieri &
Parotto, 2008.

7
Crozier & Glade, 2005.8
Soeters & Westen, 1996; Guzzetti et alii, 2006; Fell et alii, 2008; Rossi et alii, 2010.9



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a. environmental and land protection ­ landslides (Law No.267/98; PAI, IFFI),
flooding (PSDA), water resources and waste management and reclamation
(PTA; Italian Legislative Decree No.152/2006), recently included in the EU
flood directive 2007/60/CE an in the Italian Environment Code;
general land management (PRG; Italian Legislative Decree No. 42/2004);
seismicity (recent MZS guidelines and NTC 2008 and updates);

b.
c.

public works and buildings referable to Italian Presidential Decree No.
207/2010, implementation of the Public contract code (Italian
Presidential Decree No.163/06) and Building technical rules (Italian
Ministerial Decree dd.14 January 2008).

d.

Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

However, there is an important need, at technical and legislative levels for a
new law on land management which should update, integrate, and
harmonize the studies and investigations required for the understanding of
natural hazards and risks defining the significant geological areas, starting
from drainage basin as the main terrain units. Since extreme natural events
are connected to processes at variable space and time scales, it is not
possible to analyze a single site concerning hazards and risks, but it is
necessary to analyze the whole significant area including underground,
surface and above­the­ground features.
CASE STUDIES
In the following cases (Fig. 3) we highlight three basic aspects of the
knowledge process concerning hazards and risks (particularly seismic, but
also landslides and flooding) which should contribute to prevention
strategies since they are based on methodologies that take into account the
main rules of natural processes and their space­time distribution: a)
multiscalarity; b) multitemporality; c) multidisciplinarity.



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

Seismic Micro­zonal Mapping in the L’Aquila area
Space scale and multiscalarity
Analyzing and mapping natural processes and related hazards depends on their
magnitude, scale of investigation and mapping criteria. A certain area may be
mapped at different scales with different results according to the detail of
investigation. Some processes should be investigated on a regional scale
(smaller than 1:50.000), such as seismic hazard or flooding; some processes
should be analyzed at an intermediate scale (1:50.000 to 1:10.000), such as
landslide inventories; others, finally, require a detailed scale (larger than
1:10.000), such as landslide evolution, soil erosion, seismic site amplification.
In this perspective, we maintain the basic rule that the resulting map cannot be
at a scale higher than that applied in the investigation stage.
The assessment of seismic hazard is composed of a systems of investigation
at different levels, from regional scale to intermediate to local scale10:

Figure 3 – Location map (a) and main physiographic domains of the Abruzzo region (b). Red
boxes locate the case studies discussed in this work. 1) L’aquila area; 2) Pineto hilly coastal
area; 3) Tortoreto hilly coastal area.

See also GRUPPO DI LAVORO MS–AQ (2010), Pizzo and Fabietti (2013) in this volume.10
INGV, 2004.11

­ Seismic hazard map of Italy11 ­ national scale <1:250.000 (mapping the ground
peak acceleration expected on a 50­yr time span on rigid bedrock) (Fig. 4);



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

Figure 4 – Seismic Hazard Map of (a) Italy, (b) Abruzzo region and (c) L’Aquila area (c)
(from INGV, 2004), in terms of ground peak acceleration with 10% excess probability in 50
years, referred to rigid bedrock (Vs30>800 m/s).



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

ISPRA, 2013b.12
GRUPPO DI LAVORO MS–AQ (2010) and updates.13

­ Geological maps of Italy12 ­ intermediate scale 1:50.000­1:100.000 (mapping
geological features of surface deposits and bedrock) (Fig. 5, 6).
­ Seismic micro­zonal maps13 ­ local municipality or site scale>1:5.000
(mapping geological and geomorphological features particularly focusing on
superficial deposits and site amplification effects due to stratigraphy or
morphology) (Fig. 7).

Figure 5 – Extract from Foglio 139 “L’Aquila” of the Geological Map of Italy 1:100.000
scale (SGI, 1955) in which three units are mapped. The red box mark the L’Aquila east area.

Figure 6 – Extract from Foglio 359 L’Aquila of the Geological Map of Italy 1:50.000 scale (Progetto
CARG, APAT, 2006) in which four lithological units are mapped. Red box mark L’Aquila east area.



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

Figure 7 – Geological and geomorphological map 1:2.000 scale for the Seismic microzonation
of the L’Aquila area (Miccadei & Piacentini, 2010, Gruppo di Lavoro MS­AQ, 2010) in which
eight different lithological units are mapped.

This system results as a synthesis of data obtained from in­situ tests, detailed
surveys, hystorical data of the damages, etc., incorporating investigations at
different scales, from national to regional to local, but also multitemporal,
from the analysis of Quaternary tectonics and paleoseismicity (hundreds of
thousands of years) to the study of historical earthquakes (thousands of
years) to the instrumental record of seismicity (decades).



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

The scale ranges of the different study levels have a strong impact on the
results in terms of hazard assessment particularly concerning the local and site
investigations for a seismic micro­zonal mapping that has to be based on
geological and geomorphological field surveys at scale <1:5.000 carried on
according to specific and consistent methods14 and not simply on pre­existing
maps.
In the following example, the geological and geomorphological mapping
resulting from the micro­zonal studies in the L’Aquila area after the April
2009 earthquake, particularly in the eastern part of L’Aquila, are compared
with previous geological mapping carried out at different times and with
seismic hazard maps, in order to outline scale and mapping methods for
seismic hazard and micro­zonal investigations.
The national hazard map (Fig. 4; INGV, 2004) provides the expected ground
peak acceleration for the whole Italian territory. However, moving from
national, to regional and local scale (Fig. 4b,c) the map obviously provides
rough data. Moreover, the ground acceleration data is only referred to rigid
bedrock and do not account for surface cover and soft deposits, on which
most of the urban and industrial areas are built.
These data come only from geological and geomorphological maps at the
appropriate scale. On the extract from Foglio 139 “L’Aquila” of the
Geological Map of Italy 1:100,000 scale (Fig. 515) three lithological units are
mapped in the L’Aquila eastern area; on the extract from Foglio 359
“L’Aquila” of the Geological Map of Italy 1:50,000 scale, obtained several
years later applying a modern approach (Fig. 616), four lithological units are
mapped. After the L’Aquila earthquake, in the geological and
geomorphological map 1:2,000 scale for the Seismic micro­zoning of the
L’Aquila area (Fig. 717), eight different lithological units are mapped. The
detailed mapping (1:2,000 scale) allowed for the definition of the thickness
and geometry of superficial continental de­posits and their relationship with
the bedrock, thus contributing to determining the seismic behaviour of the area

GRUPPO DI LAVORO MS–AQ (2010) and updates.14
SGI, 1955.15
Progetto CARG, APAT, 2006.16
Gruppo di Lavoro MS­AQ, 2010; Miccadei & Piacentini, 2010.17



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and possible site amplification effects.
This case outlines the role of the scale in mapping geology and landforms
for seismic and, more in general, natural hazard assessment. Every type of
hazard has its own suitable scale of investigation and mapping.
Flooding and mass movements induced by heavy rainfall in the last
decade in the Abruzzo region
Time scale and multitemporality
Natural processes induce progressive changes in landscape and landforms.
These changes occur within different time scales and frequency depending
on the type of process: from a few seconds in the event of an earthquake
(that may, however, have recurrence times of hundreds or thousands of
years), to a few hours or days in the event of a flood (with recurrence times
from decades to hundreds of years), to hours or days or months in the event
of a landslide (with recurrence times from years to decades), etc.
Heavy rainfall is one of the most important causes triggering landslides,
particularly in Mediterranean areas which are characterised by moderate to
low annual precipitations and, occasionally, by a high precipitation intensity.
In this case, we compare the landforms triggered by heavy rainfall (daily
rainfall ~ 200 mm ) in three case studies from the Abruzzo region in Central
Italy which occurred in the last decade18:

Miccadei et alii, 2012; Piacentini et alii, 2012; Rainfall data from Servizio Idrografico e
Mareografico, Regione Abruzzo

18

1. on 6­7 October 2007 (hilly ­ coastal Teramo area),
on 1­2 March 2011 (hilly ­ coastal Teramo and Pescara area),
on 5 and 13­14 September 2012 (hilly ­ coastal Teramo and Pescara
area).

2.
3.

These events have triggered different types of geomorphological instability:
landslides, soil erosion and flooding.
Each event was characterised by very high rainfall intensity (up to>40 mm/h
and >200 mm/d; Fig. 8) that, according to the time series data correspond to
a recurrence time of at least 100­200 years. In fact, in the same places of the
hilly and coastal Teramo and Pescara area two events took place in 2 years!



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

The geomorphological effects of heavy rainfall were analysed through field
surveys or an analysis of aerial photos taken 1­3 days after the event,
mapping the distribution of landslides, soil erosion or flooding (Fig.
9,10,1119). Histograms and maps outline that the distribution of
geomorphological effects, in the same area or in similar geological contexts,
is related to rainfall intensity but also to land use and the seasonal state of
the agricultural land. The first and third events occurred in September or
October on widely ploughed, clayey hills that were affected by heavy soil
erosion (gully, rill, sheet) and mud flows, as well as by flooding. The second
event occurred in March on land covered with crops on the same clayey

Topographic data provided from Cartographic office of Regione Abruzzo
(http://www.regione.abruzzo.it/xcartografia/).

19

Figure 8 – The hourly and cumulative rainfall occurring during the heavy rainfall events: a) on 7
October 2007 at the Nereto (TE) station; b) on 2 March 2011 at the Nereto (TE) station; c) on 2
March 2011 at the Pineto (TE) station; d) on 6 and 13­14 October 2012 at the giulianova (TE)
station.



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

These simple considerations20 outline how the temporal scale of a process
such as heavy rainfall and related geomorphological effects has to be taken
into great account, from a hourly temporal scale (rainfall distribution) to a
seasonal one (land use and agricultural yard management cycle), all the way
to a decadal­century one (recurrence time of heavy rainfall events).

hills. As a result the hills were affected by heavy flooding and slight soil
erosion or landslides.

Figure 9 – Percentage and surface distribution of the geomorphological instabilities triggered
by the 2007 heavy rainfall event in the Tortoreto hilly and coastal area between the lower T.
Vibrata valley and lower F. Salinello valley.

Figure 10 – Percentage and surface distribution of landforms triggered by the 2011 heavy
rainfall event: a) The Pineto coastal and hilly area; b) The lower F. Salinello valley and the
hilly and coastal slopes of the Tortoreto area.

For more details, see Miccadei et alii, 2012 and Piacentini et alii, 2012.20



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

Only knowledge and understanding of these temporal scales (meteorological­
climatic analysis) and their interrelation with the geological and
geomorphological features (multi­temporal survey and mapping) of the
affected landscape allow the analysis of the geomorphological effects and the
hazards due to heavy rainfalls.
Landslide and flooding hazard assessment in the northern Abruzzo
Region
Multidisciplinary approach
The third case outlines the basic role of multidisciplinary studies in the
knowledge process for the prevention of natural hazards. The landscape, its
evolution at different spatial and time scales, and the hazards connected to
the natural processes acting on it, are related to different underground,

Figure 11 – Geomorphological effects of heavy rainfalls iin the abruzzo region (from Miccadei et
alii 2012): a) 7­8 October 2007 Tortoreto area; b) 1­2 March 2011 Salinello river; c) 1­2 March
2011 Silvi­Pineto area; d) 13­14 September 2012 Silvi­Pineto area.



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

ground and above­ground features. Only multidisciplinary studies allow for
a full understanding of the landscape’s underground features (geology and
tectonics, superficial deposits type and thickness, bedrock lithology), ground
features (geomorphology, land use and land use change, particularly urban
areas), and above­ground ones (climate, meteorology), as well as for the
understanding of natural processes (heavy rainfall, landslides, earthquakes,
etc.) and related effects and hazards (soil erosion, mass movement, surface
fault and shaking, etc.). The overlay of hazards and land use, vulnerability
and exposure led to the definition of risk distribution.
In this case, the methodological scheme of a study carried out in the
northern Abruzzo region (coastal hills and plain) after heavy damage
following heavy rainfalls (7 October 2007) is presented. The study shows
the overlay of different methods of investigations (Fig. 12) based on a robust
bibliographic and cartographic study and including orography, hydrography,
hydrology, geology, photogeology, geomorphology, land use change,
geognostic investigations, which allow the identification of critical drainage
sites along main and secondary streams and an estimate of sediment volume
transport from the main and secondary basins to the coastal plain.
CONCLUSIONS: OPEN PROBLEMS
Mankind is able to control and induce landscape changes but is subject to
natural processes, hazards due to extreme events and related risks. Risks are
the result of hazards, exposed elements and vulnerability, and they are
consequently not only an expression of the natural environment, but also
related to human interaction with nature. Therefore risks need to be
addressed regularly by means of a high level of knowledge in order to
provide the most up­to­date information for any decision which needs to be
taken by any party involved.
A high level of knowledge concerning natural hazards and related risks
stems from the geological and geomorphological history and from the
historical records of the natural processes, and grows with complete multi­
scale, multi temporal and multidisciplinary studies and investigations, which
include land management, economic and social issues – with approaches
appropriate to the scale (Fig. 13). Causes, correlations and interactions



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

Figure 12 – Possible scheme of methods of investigations for a multidisciplinary approach to the
study of landslides and flooding triggered by heavy rainfalls. The scheme includes multitemporal
investigations and multi scale investigations, from 1:25,000 for general preliminary analysis, to
1:5,000 for main investigations, to 1:1,000 or more for detail analysis of critical sites.

between the factors determining risks can be identified and analysed.
However, knowledge does not mean the ability to forecast natural severe
events. In most cases this is not possible or it is possible only by applying a
statistical approach, while it is possible to prevent or mitigate the effects of
natural events by defining their damaging power and possible recurrence
time, understanding their magnitude and frequency: we know they will
happen and where they will happen, although not exactly when. And
knowledge also means evaluating the exposed elements and their ability to
withstand a certain expected event without damages or losses: without any
disasters occurring. This approach helps to indicate future trends resulting



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

Figure 13 – Relationship between spatial/temporal and complexity of models, defining different
type of approaches for analysis of landslides and related hazard and risk, suitable also for
natural risks in general (from Glade and Crozier, 2005b).
This approach helps to indicate future trends resulting from human
landscape changes21. The results support risk management and serve as a
tool to optimise future strategies for damage reduction.
In conclusion, the most effective studies on risks are focused on
“prevention”, rather than on “forecasting”, setting up actions capable of
reducing losses. These types of studies are crucial to defining future
scenarios ­ which sustainable land planning and management should be
based on ­ by taking into account the specific future uses of different areas
and contributing to the identification of proper sites for quarries, dumps and
purification plants, or proper areas for industry, urban expansion, thereby
generally supporting the process of creating an urban plan.
The dynamics and processes controlling the geological and landscape
evolution of planet Earth are well known and scientists make continuous
efforts for their study. Natural disasters have always provided new data,
more effective intervention models, and land management plans more
respectful of the environment. Consequently, improving our ability to face
natural severe and extreme events without being subject to disasters is both
advisable and necessary. Therefore, the crux is that prevention stems from
the community’s awareness that natural hazards exist, can be quantified and
mapped. In this view, scientists, professionals and technicians working on
landscape management have the duty of knowledge transfer, since this is

Grozier & Glade, 2005.21



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Miccadei, Piacentini ­ The role of knowledge in the prevention of natural hazards

needed, particularly by the civil society. Understanding natural processes is
part of a people’s environmental sensitivity and culture, which are not innate
but requires a slow and progressive process, starting from children’s
education. The civilization level of a people can, indeed, also be assessed by
its awareness of hazards and risks and its ability to set up actions and
policies aimed at the protection of property and goods from natural disasters.
Only in this way, according to the 2007­2009 “International Year of Planet
Earth” Decalogue (whose first article is “Reduce natural and anthropic risks
for the society”) can a true knowledge and enforcement of existing laws and
­ if necessary ­ new laws really stem from recent disasters. This will help to
achieve a proper and effective land management, based on an
interdisciplinary approach in which expert geologists and land managers will
play a role, in the light of the importance of natural processes in inducing
risks.



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and prevention of natural disasters in devloping countries", in Geomorphology
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