The unusual Ca’ Bonettini landslide (Province of Modena, Italy)

In September 2003, in concomitance with a weak seismic shock, a landslide took place in the River Panaro valley, in the municipality of Marano (Province of Modena, northern Italy). The singularity of this slope movement consisted in the fact that, although the mobilised soils were mainly argillaceous, the activation occurred at the end of a long drought period, whereas such landslides are usually recorded in the wet season, when the soil is saturated with water. After examining the geological and physical-mechanical characteristics of the formations making up the slope, the causes of this landslide are discussed in relation to man’s activities and the seismic tremor recorded. Finally, suitable remedial measures for slope stabilisation are suggested.