STRUCTURAL AND KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE CONERO RIVIERA FROM ANCONA TO PORTONOVO, ITALY

The cliffs above the public beaches of the Conero Riviera between Ancona and Portonovo, Italy, are comprised of sedimentary rocks and are subject to copious rainfall and frequent earthquakes. The area has experienced large-scale landslide events, from Portonovo’s 14th century landslide to Ancona’s more recent 1982 landslide. Though these events have been studied, there are no studies on this region’s risk of future landslides. Based on the historical and geological evidence, it is important that the Ancona coastline be assessed for landslide risk. This study aimed to determine the structural integrity of the area near these two historic landslides using kinematic analysis as well as structural and stratigraphic field data collected between the Ancona shipyard and the southernmost accessible beach of Monte Conero. Collecting data from within several different rock units, we observed distinct patterns of jointing, faulting, and bedding along the coast. Some of these structures show risk of planar, wedge, and topple failure. There was evidence of recent rockfalls and landslides, all of which were smaller than the two historical slides. We conclude that the Conero coastline is at risk for future events of small-scale landsliding and rockfall, making it dangerous for beachgoers.