Recognition of lanslides and their influence on the human settlement at Montemesola, southern Italy.

Montemesola area (southern Italy) is characterized by pelitic and calcarenitic terrain whose difference of erodibility brought about terraced morphologies. The town is surrounded by retaining walls built several centuries ago to stop slope movements. Because of landslides, the ancient village of Monte Salete was damaged repeatedly in the past. Nevertheless, in spite of this fact, studies of landslides and the hazard assessment have been ignored. On the basis of morphological mapping, three types of landslides have been recognized. Falling of blocks of calcarenites have frequently occurred. Translational slides and spreads of blocks of calcarenites have been also recognized. These landslides appear to be inactive. However, several potential block falls have been identified. Joint systems promoted a penetranting weathering that have hardly weakened pelites and calcarnites and is an important controlling factor of landslides. Finally, some influences of the slope movements on the human settlements is pointed out.