ARRS project J1-2477: Erosional processes on coastal flysch cliffs and their risk assessment

ARRS code: J1-2477

Project type: Basic research project

Leader: prof. dr. Timotej Verbovšek

Duration: 1.9.2020 – 31.8.2023

Coastal cliffs in flysch represent steep and unstable slopes, prone to erosion, as flysch is composed of alternation of softer marlstones and harder sandstones. Consequently, it is difficult to characterize due to its heterogeneity. There are several processes acting on the cliff – most importantly the erosion, being results of precipitation and intense rainfall, also the influence of the sea by abrasion, tidal action and wave energy, and other factors as the wind and rockfall.

The scientific problem and goal of our project is the fact that systematical quantitative measurements of erosion and morphological changes of the cliff have not yet been performed. To understand the processes of cliff changes, all influencing factors should be quantified. With modern methods of geological mapping and geodetic methods (photogrammetric ranging, terrestrial laser scanning and satellite PSInSAR methods), we are able to determine the temporal and spatial changes of unstable regions very precisely.

A special challenge will be the quantification of risk assessment, which will be one of our main research topics and novelties. We would like to upgrade the methodology of risk assessment, presented by Rio & Gracia (2009) for the coastal cliffs. They have defined two factors; the Hazard Index and Impact Index, which combine into the Risk Index. We chose this approach as all influencing factors are quantified, and we will improve their methodology by using additional parameters, such as fracture orientation and spacing, plus the physically measured erosion rates.

Another contribution will be also the study of sapping effects, as softer marlstone layers are eroded more quickly than harder sandstone beds, resulting in sapping (undermining) the more resistant layers above, leading to dangerous rockfalls. Relationships between the fracture spacing and bed thickness have been investigated, however sapping remains underinvestigated. Final novelty will be the integration of all methods, with also the practical aim of testing their applicability.

Described processes have also a socio-economic impact. Very problematic is a large number of visitors all year-round and numerous bathers during the summer, which walk and lie directly at the base of cliffs. Another problem pose the residential buildings, built very close to the cliff edge, and some terraces have already been undermined.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the project J1-2477 Erosional processes on coastal flysch cliffs and their risk assessment was financially supported by the Slovenian Research Agency«.

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