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| Titel |
The Stava mudflow of 19 July 1985 (Northern Italy): a disaster that effective regulation might have prevented |
| VerfasserIn |
F. Luino, J. V. Graff |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1561-8633
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ; 12, no. 4 ; Nr. 12, no. 4 (2012-04-16), S.1029-1044 |
| Datensatznummer |
250010700
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/nhess-12-1029-2012.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
The disaster occurring in the Eastern Italian Alps in the summer of 1985 was
caused by the failure of two tailings dams located just upstream from the
village of Stava in the municipality of Tesero (Trento province, Italy). The
structure comprised two small storage basins for the deposition of tailings
from the separation process of the Prestavel fluorite mine. On their
downstream sides, the basins were contained by steep earth embankments,
whereas upstream they rested directly on the natural slope. The total height
from the base of the lower dam to the crest of the upper dam was over 50 m.
On 19 July 1985, the front of the upper dam suddenly burst, triggering a
vast mudflow (180 000 m3) that flowed down-channel through Stava, a
small village of 20 buildings. The mudflow rapidly traveled over 4.2 km
along the Stava Valley and passed through Tesero, before flowing into the
Avisio River. The mudflow destroyed many buildings and resulted in 268
fatalities and 20 injuries. From an analysis of the data collected and field
observation, several factors may be cited as having contributed to
increasing instability, as the upper dam continued to be raised until the
disastrous collapse of 19 July. Foremost among these factors is the
mistaken assumption that the tailings deposited in the impoundments would
consolidate fairly quickly. Indeed, no monitoring system was ever installed
to verify the assumed consolidation. Other operational shortcomings and
construction errors were contributing factors. Regulations requiring
construction standards, operational monitoring, and independent periodic
inspection could have prevented this disaster. Comprehensive legislation is
required to effectively limit the adverse consequences of tailings dam
failures by providing a regulatory environment where the safety and welfare
of the local area can be balanced with the economic benefits of mining
operations. |
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