Kinematic Segmentation and Velocity in Earth Flows: A Consequence of Complex Basal-slip Surfaces

We investigated relations between geomorphic structures, movement velocity, and basal-slip surface geometry within individual kinematic domains of two large earth flows in the Apennine Mountains of southern Italy: the “Montaguto” earth flow and the “Mount Pizzuto” earth flow. Our analyses indicated that the earth flows are composed of distinct kinematic zones characterized by specific deformational patterns and longitudinal velocity profiles. Variations in velocity within individual kinematic zones is controlled by the geometry of the basal-slip surface, and, in particular by local variations in slope angle. Slip-surface geometry and slope also seem to control the density of extensional structures in driving earth-flow elements.