The Passo della Morte block-slide covers a relative large area in the Carnic Alps, along the left side of the Taglia-
mento River, between Forni di Sotto and Ampezzo (N-E of Italy). The high seismicity and the presence of the
landslide increase the risk associated to the interest area. Moreover the large volume of material involved in the
landslide (a few million of cubic meters), the presence of important infrastructure such as the road and two tunnels
which cross the landslide, as well as the presence of the Tagliamento River that flow at the foot of the landslide,
make the area very vulnerable.
This study concerns with the western part of the Deep Seated Gravitational Slope Deformation (DSGSD). It fo-
cuses on the potential instability of a rock slope (crossed by road tunnels) and its connection with the DSGSD
activity. The main objectives of this study are: monitoring the rock mass movement, studying the seismic site ef-
fect and defining the stratigraphic and geological characteristics of involved materials.
Two vibration sensors have been installed inside the potential landslide: a short-period seismometer and a piezo-
electric transducer. The microseismic activity recorded by the sensors has been analyzed, with particular regard to
periods characterized by rapid changes in recorded seismic signals, and then correlated with the precipitation trend
to evaluate the existence of a possible correlation between these phenomena. The microseismic activity study has
highlighted the existence of a close link between microseisms and acoustic emissions recorded respectively by the
seismometer and by the piezoelectric transducer. In addition, the comparison with the rainfall pattern has shown a
direct relationship between different rainfall events and the sharp increase of microseismic activity detected by the
two instruments. The correlation is good, even if acoustic emissions appear to be more sensitive than microseisms
to short duration and low intensity rainfall events.
The seismic site effects and the directivity in seismic site response of the rock mass have been investigated through
the use of Nakamura (1989) method. In particular have been estimated the resonance frequencies and the polariza-
tion directions of seismic energy in three selected sites. All sites have shown a clear evidence of polarization in the
direction of N/NW-S/SE and E/NE-W/SW, compatible with the maximum slope inclination and with the limestone
stratification direction outcropping in this area.
In order to define the stratigraphic and geological characteristics of the materials involved, have been performed
a GPR investigation and an active seismic survey. The first has been useful to identify vertical and horizontal
variations of the lithotypes present, most associated with different degrees of rock fracturing and fluid content.
The seismic investigation has permitted to identify a reflective layer and to determine the propagation velocity of
compression and shear waves of the two layers found.
