Analysis of Factors Controlling Landslide Susceptibility in the Aosta Valley (NW Italy): Relationship to Climatic and Environmental Changes

Recent climate changes are evident, especially in alpine environments, and have implications for natural hazards. Geomorphological studies have been performed at a regional scale in the Aosta Valley to better understand the spatial distribution and frequency of landslides and to investigate their controlling factors. A comparison between areas with permafrost and the rest of the territory has also carried out. Landslides inventories, permafrost distribution and geothematic maps have been produced and integrated into a GIS system. The lowest values of landslides density have been observed within the permafrost areas with respect to the whole region. The frequency of landslides has increased slightly during the last few decades in high mountains areas, possibly due to climate warming.