The Pretare-Piedilama Clastic Deposit: New Evidence of a Quaternary Rock Avalanche Event in Central Apennines (Italy)

This paper deals with the origin of Pretare clastic deposit (PRA), which crops out along Morricone fluvial valley in Central Apennines Italy. With aim deciphering genesis PRA deposit, geological s.l. and geomorphological analyses were carried allowing for interpretation as a rock avalanche. Furthermore, cross sections constrained by well-log field survey data, together stratigraphic, sedimentologic, morphometric analyses, allowed us to assign catastrophic slope failure, occurred during cold climate Late Pleistocene. Several issues concerning propagation mechanisms inferred from mapping 350 boulders over entire accumulation area measure parameters landslide body. We also performed restoration potential source comparing reconstructed pre- post-failure DEMs. A missing volume 8.41 × 106 m3 was estimated on south-eastern side Vettore Mt., is consistent computed (10.56 m3). The outcomes this study provide useful insights better understanding Quaternary morpho-evolution where analogous avalanche events marked recent evolution belt.