Insights on the kinematics of deep-seated gravitational slope deformations along the 1915 Avezzano earthquake fault (Central Italy), from time-series DInSAR

We used the SBAS Differential SAR Interferometry technique to measure the slow movements of the surface, and calculated differential vertical and horizontal ground velocities of 2-4 mm yr− 1 during the period spanning from 1992 to 2001. The quantitative information on the kinematics of the deformation provided some inferences on the different processes responsible for the evolution of the observed DGSD. The displacement time series shows non-linear deformation trends at some locations, possibly correlated with a strong meteorological event. We speculate that DGSD in this area are normally subject to slow deformation, and that sudden slip along sliding surfaces (observed in excavations) may sporadically be triggered off by extreme meteorological or seismic events. Evidence of catastrophic collapse of previous DGSD along the same mountain slope reinforce this hypothesis.