From traditional to modern ‘full coverage’ geomorphological mapping: a study case in the Chienti river basin (Marche region, central Italy)

The present work contributes to the process of modernization of traditional geomorphological mapping, a fundamental tool for the assessment of the hazard degree of natural processes for the planning, of works and infrastructures. Starting from a traditional and detailed geomorphological survey and through elaborations in a GIS environment, this paper presents a multiscalar cartography model, characterized by a ‘full coverage’ representation of landforms. These characteristics make it possible to upscale or downscale processes and landforms and to use different information levels created in a hierarchical form. The test site for the experimentation is located on the Adriatic side of central Italy and is represented by a small catchment, about 13 km2 large. All geomorphological features and information have been organized as elements and attributes within digital geomorphological information layers, following structured on a Digital Terrain Model derived from LiDAR; this new product is here proposed also as web-browser version.