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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Earth Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2021) | Viewed by 25032

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Dr. Guido Ventura

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Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, 00143 Roma, Italy
Interests: volcanology; remote sensing; geomorphology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Several areas of Earth are characterized by severe exposure to different types of phenomena and associated hazards (e.g., earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, drought, sea level rise, hurricanes, and storms). These lead to many deaths and damages to infrastructures, agriculture, and urban areas. Fallout of the economy may be also relevant. Multihazard science is the analysis of natural events that occur simultaneously or cumulatively over time in a given area and includes (a) the overlay of single, independent hazards and (b) the cause–effect relationships among different hazards (i.e., the chain of events). Single-hazard approaches and/or the simple sum of multiple distinct hazards could underestimate the effective risk. Approaches that consider multiple hazards and their potential interactions are more difficult to analyze, but they are more representative of the actual environment. Multihazard science requires a multidisciplinary approach and, at present, is at a seminal stage while rapidly growing.

This Special Issue (SI) aims to promote new ideas and approaches to find answers to the numerous questions in multihazard science. This SI considers original research contributions and reviews on all areas of Earth sciences and related fields involved in multihazard science(s), including physical geography, volcanology, geophysics and geodesy, soil science, environmental science, statistics and probability, hydrology, oceanography, meteorology, urban planning, decision making science, and agricultural sciences. The results of applied studies from local to global scales and theoretical advances are encouraged. Successful early-warning case studies and proposals of new methodological approaches are also welcome.

Dr. Guido Ventura
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 15038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Broadband Strong-Motion Prediction for Future Nankai-Trough Earthquakes Using Statistical Green’s Function Method and Subsequent Building Damage Evaluation

by Baoyintu, Naren Mandula and Hiroshi Kawase

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 7041; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11157041 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3048

Abstract

We used the Green’s function summation method together with the randomly perturbed asperity sources to sum up broadband statistical Green’s functions of a moderate-size source and predict strong ground motions due to the expected M8.1 to 8.7 Nankai-Trough earthquakes along the southern coast of western Japan. We successfully simulated seismic intensity distributions similar to the past earthquakes and strong ground motions similar to the empirical attenuation relations of peak ground acceleration and velocity. Using these results, we predicted building damage by non-linear response analyses and find that at the regions close to the source, as well as regions with relatively thick, soft sediments such as the shoreline and alluvium valleys along the rivers, there is a possibility of severe damage regardless of the types of buildings. Moreover, the predicted damage ratios for buildings built before 1981 are much higher than those built after because of the significant code modifications in 1981. We also find that the damage ratio is highest for steel buildings, followed by wooden houses, and then reinforced concrete buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multihazard Science)

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16 pages, 4792 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Multi-Hazard WebGIS Platform for Coastal Regions

by Miguel Rocha, Anabela Oliveira, Paula Freire, André B. Fortunato, Alphonse Nahon, José L. Barros, Alberto Azevedo, Filipa S. B. F. Oliveira, João Rogeiro, Gonçalo Jesus, Ricardo J. Martins, Pedro P. Santos, Alexandre O. Tavares and João Oliveira

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 5253; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11115253 - 5 Jun 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3643

Abstract

The combined action of waves, surges and tides can cause flooding, erosion and dune and structure overtopping in many coastal regions. Addressing emergency and risk management in these areas require a combination of targeted campaigns and real-time data that measure all phenomena at stake and can be used to develop comprehensive monitoring platforms. These monitoring platforms can support the development of prediction tools that address all hazards in an integrated way. Herein, we present a methodology focused on multi-hazard coastal alert and risk, and its implementation in a tailored WebGIS platform. The MOSAIC platform offers a one-stop-shop capacity to access in-situ and remote sensing data, and hydrodynamic and morphodynamic predictions, supported by numerical models: SCHISM and XBeach. Information is structured on a local observatory scale, with regional forcings available for the correct interpretation of local hazards effects. This implementation can be further applied and extended to other coastal zones. The MOSAIC platform also provides access to a detailed database of past hazardous events, organized along several risk indicators, for the western coast of Portugal. The combination of features in the platform provides a unique repository of hazard information to support end-users for both emergency and long term risk planning actions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multihazard Science)

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16 pages, 4313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differences of Mechanical Parameters and Rockburst Tendency Indices between Coal and Non-Coal Rocks and Modified Rockburst Tendency Classification Criteria for Non-Coal Rocks

by Kun Du, Yu Sun, Songge Yang, Shizhan Lv and Shaofeng Wang

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2641; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062641 - 16 Mar 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2054

Abstract

Rockbursts represent hazardous dynamic disasters for underground coal mines and other underground rock engineering projects. Some bursting liability indices are put forward and applied to identify the likelihood of rock burst occurrence. The classification criteria of the bursting liability indices are proved to be reasonable for coals, but they are still immature for non-coal rocks. Thus, it is uncertain that it is reasonable to use the classification criteria of coal for evaluating the bursting liability of non-coal rocks. Hence, in this study, a large amount of data, such as the basic mechanical parameters, i.e., Poisson’s ratio μ, elastic modulus E, uniaxial compressive strength σ_c, and uniaxial tensile strength σ_t, and the bursting liability indices, i.e., elastic strain energy index W_ET, bursting energy index W_cf, dynamic fracture duration time DT, and brittleness index B, of different coals and non-coal rocks were collected in China. Then, the differences of mechanical parameters and rockburst tendency indices between coal and non-coal rocks were studied systematically, and apart from the Poisson’s ratio μ, the other three basic mechanical parameters of coal and non-coal rocks have great differences in data distribution and concentration scope, which proved that the non-coal rocks cannot share the same index system and classification criteria of coals. In addition, the evaluation results of a single index for rock bursting liability of rocks were directly compared in pairs, and the inconsistency rate for coals is about 42–68%. It is necessary to build a comprehensive evaluation method to evaluate the bursting liability of rocks. At last, the modified rockburst tendency classification criteria for non-coal rocks were put forward. It is reasonable to use the classification criteria of the W_ET and W_cf to classify the bursting liability of non-coal rocks, while it is unreasonable to use that of the DT and σ_c. It has been concluded that the index B are more suitable for non-coal rocks, and a new index, named strength decrease rate (SDR), was proposed to determine the bursting liability, which is the ratio of uniaxial compressive strength σ_c to duration of dynamic fracture DT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multihazard Science)

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41 pages, 9306 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards A Geo-Hydro-Mechanical Characterization of Landslide Classes: Preliminary Results

by Federica Cotecchia, Francesca Santaloia and Vito Tagarelli

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(22), 7960; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10227960 - 10 Nov 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5053

Abstract

Nowadays, landslides still cause both deaths and heavy economic losses around the world, despite the development of risk mitigation measures, which are often not effective; this is mainly due to the lack of proper analyses of landslide mechanisms. As such, in order to achieve a decisive advancement for sustainable landslide risk management, our knowledge of the processes that generate landslide phenomena has to be broadened. This is possible only through a multidisciplinary analysis that covers the complexity of landslide mechanisms that is a fundamental part of the design of the mitigation measure. As such, this contribution applies the “stage-wise” methodology, which allows for geo-hydro-mechanical (GHM) interpretations of landslide processes, highlighting the importance of the synergy between geological-geomorphological analysis and hydro-mechanical modeling of the slope processes for successful interpretations of slope instability, the identification of the causes and the prediction of the evolution of the process over time. Two case studies are reported, showing how to apply GHM analyses of landslide mechanisms. After presenting the background methodology, this contribution proposes a research project aimed at the GHM characterization of landslides, soliciting the support of engineers in the selection of the most sustainable and effective mitigation strategies for different classes of landslides. This proposal is made on the assumption that only GHM classification of landslides can provide engineers with guidelines about instability processes which would be useful for the implementation of sustainable and effective landslide risk mitigation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multihazard Science)

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18 pages, 7098 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Satellite InSAR as a New Tool for the Verification of Landslide Engineering Remedial Works at the Regional Scale: A Case Study in the Three Gorges Resevoir Area, China

by Shuhao Liu, Samuele Segoni, Federico Raspini, Kunlong Yin, Chao Zhou, Yiyue Zhang and Nicola Casagli

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(18), 6435; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10186435 - 16 Sep 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3084

Abstract

Several countries worldwide are funding large-scale programs to mitigate landslide risk by implementing engineering remedial works. However, the overall effectiveness of such measures is rarely monitored, and they are typically performed at the slope scale without fully exploiting the wide-area capabilities of remote sensing technologies. A multi-scale and multi-source monitoring procedure for evaluating the slope stability and the effectiveness of related remedial works was proposed in this study and applied in the middle section of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA), China. The area is highly exposed to landslide hazards, and a massive program of engineering remedial works was recently implemented. Satellite interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR)-based techniques were first exploited at the regional scale with the objective to provide a general overview of the deformative scenario and to highlight localized problems (active landslides or high deformation zones) to be further investigated; then, local-scale field investigation and multi-source ground monitoring data were employed to verify the deforming states of active landslides and to evaluate the effectiveness of the landslide engineering remedial works. The results indicated that, among the 310 mapped landslides in the study area, 52 were identified to be active and in a slow-moving state by satellite InSAR; Among the 58 controlled landslides, 9 of them were suspected to be active in a slow-moving state and require further concern. Particular attention was paid to two controlled landslides that were found in a continuously and progressively deforming state. We observed that the regional-scale program of slope stabilization was highly successful; however, the variation of the surrounding environmental setting could have led to landslide reactivation or partial invalidation of the landslide remedial works. The proposed multi-scale and multi-source monitoring framework is low-cost, easy to perform, and very straightforward to communicate to citizens and authorities. It can be easily implemented with very wide areas to assess the slope stability and to investigate the effectiveness of large-scale governmental risk mitigation programs, identifying precursor signals that could allow for intervention before reaching critical conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multihazard Science)

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25 pages, 6725 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation of Concurrent Extreme Metocean Hazards Considering Seasonality

by Felícitas Calderón-Vega, Adrián-David García-Soto and César Mösso

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(14), 4794; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10144794 - 13 Jul 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2562

Abstract

Simultaneous occurrence of metocean variables can present a multihazard to maritime systems. However, simplified design approaches to assess simultaneous significant wave heights and wind velocities are lacking, especially if seasonality is considered. This is addressed in this study by using extreme significant wave heights and companion wind velocities recorded in the Gulf of Mexico. Time-dependent, generalized extreme value (GEV) models and classical regression are the basis to propose a simplified approach to estimate correlated extreme significant wave heights and wind velocities associated with given return periods, accounting for seasonality and including measures of uncertainty. It is found that the proposed approach is a new but simple method to adequately characterize the concurrent extreme metocean variables and their uncertainty. It is concluded that the method is an effective probabilistic design tool to determine simultaneous extreme significant wave heights and companion wind velocities for desired return periods and seasonality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multihazard Science)

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19 pages, 9394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scenario-Based Pyroclastic Density Current Invasion Maps at Poorly Known Volcanoes: A Case Study from Changbaishan (China/North Korea)

by Anna Maria Lombardi, Pierdomenico Del Gaudio, Zhengfu Guo, Maoliang Zhang, Guoming Liu, Vincenzo Sepe, Jiaqi Liu and Guido Ventura

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(7), 2622; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072622 - 10 Apr 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4308

Abstract

Changbaishan volcano (China/North Korea; last eruption in 1903 AD) was responsible for a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) 7 eruption in 946 AD. Approximately 186,000 people live around Changbaishan and 2,000,000 tourists/year visit the volcano. An unrest occurred between 2002 and 2006. Despite the relevant hazard, the eruptive history is poorly known, a condition common to many volcanoes worldwide. Here, we investigate the extension of the areas potentially affected by pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) in case of future eruptions following a scenario-based approach. We perform energy cone runs referred to four scenarios from columns of height 3, 10, 20 and 30 km at different vents. By using global datasets on PDCs, we produce spatial probability maps of PDCs invasion. Empirical laws between covered areas, PDC travelled distances, and heights of collapse are provided. In scenarios 3 and 4, PDCs expand at distances up to 42 km and 85 km, respectively. In scenarios 1 and 2, PDCs invade the touristic area and few main roads. Severe effects emerge from scenarios 3 and 4 with the interruption of the China–North Korea land and aerial connections and PDC. Our approach may serve as guide for the rapid evaluation of the PDC-related hazard at poorly known volcanoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multihazard Science)

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