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Regular Article |
1 British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
Received for publication 18 August 1999. Accepted for publication 19 October 1999.
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Volterra is a delightful, vibrant medieval hill-top town, situated at 550 m, on a narrow plateau, midway between Pisa and Siena, and 40 km from the coast (
Fig. 1). Originally, Volterra was a leading member of the 12-city Etruscan federation, under the name Velathri. The town came under Greek cultural influence in the eighth century BC and subsequently under the Romans in third century BC. Important Roman remains include an amphitheatre. Major architectural features within the splendid walls date from the 13th century and include palaces and a cathedral. The town has been famous since Etruscan times for its fine alabaster, which is mined nearby.
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Fig. 2), called Le Balze (meaning ‘steps’, derived from the step-like multiple slumps). This is the location of a spectacular active landslide, which has engulfed the Etruscan necropolis, parts of the massive Etruscan walls, and an 11th century abbey, and is currently encroaching on two churches and a campsite. This landslide has a northwesterly aspect and is one of many others surrounding the town (Puccinelli & Trivellini 1988). The entire hill consists of clay capped by sand, the boundary between the two being visible as a colour change. The landslide deposits, and the adjacent and lowermost slopes, have been strongly influenced by erosion caused by surface runoff, and a deeply gullied ‘badlands’
