The 1982 urban landslide disaster at Ancona, Italy

ABSTRACT

This study describes the landslide that ocurred in the City of Ancona, in central Italy, on december 13, 1982. An integrated view of the disaster is obtained by examining its political, social, logistical, financial, geological and geotechnical aspects, with particular emphasis on interactions among these factors. The report describes the evolution of both physical events and human response (including the debate and responsability and the struggle of local politicians to obtain relief and reconstruction funding from central governmemt). Geotechnical site studies at Ancona are criticized and appraised with respect to the use made of them by local politicians and planners. The Ancona landslide, which destroyed or damaged 785 homes and affected 11