A deep seated compound rotational rock slide and rock spread in SE Spain: Structural control and DInSAR monitoring

Abstract The northern slope of the Sierra de Aitana (Eastern Betic Cordillera) is characterized by a long mountain front with a prominent Eocene limestone scarp overlying ductile Eocene marlstones. This stratigraphic feature and the highly stepped topography produced by several normal faults favor gravitational processes such as rock avalanches, rock slides and rock falls. This paper reports a compound landslide comprising a rotational rock slide and slab-type lateral spreading affecting these materials with blocks of volumes up to 106 m3. This lateral spread process produced singular and spectacular morphological features, the Simas de Partagat, which are trenches 20 m wide and up to 40 m deep, formed by the widening of discontinuities. The use of a differential SAR interferometry technique for monitoring this landslide over a time span of 11 yr has revealed that velocity of movement is insignificant, with rates comprised between 0 and 2 mm yr−1 and cumulative negligible displacements. Individual rock blocks initially located at the free face of the scarp were affected by slides at the base of the scarp, descending from a few to several dozen meters along the slope. Blocks broke up as displacement progresses, with several in different stages of evolution being recognizable along the slope. Differential SAR interferometry shows a greater activity in the area north of compound landslide, although velocity is extremely low (below 16 mm yr−1). This extremely slow movement revealed by interferometry is in agreement with other geological and geomorphological evidence such as the existence of speleothems and cemented breccias against the head walls of the trenches. Both deposits are indicative of a long period of discontinuity widening. Also, undisturbed debris deposits covering ancient rock slides are indicative of very slow gravitational processes characterized by long dormant periods. In addition, a historical picture from 1898 shows nearly negligible change in the Simas de Partagat over this 112 yr period.

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