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Article

Coastal Boulder Dynamics Inferred from Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery, Geological and Meteorological Investigations in Southern Apulia, Italy

1
National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, 73100 Lecce, Italy
2
Geopro, Geological Prospections, 73100 Lecce, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Water 2021, 13(17), 2426; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13172426
Submission received: 24 June 2021 / Revised: 13 August 2021 / Accepted: 27 August 2021 / Published: 3 September 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Climate Change on Coastal Hydrodynamics)

Abstract

:
Boulder dynamics may provide essential data for coastal evolution and hazards assessment and can be focused as a proxy for the onshore effect of intense storm waves. In this work, detailed observations of currently available satellite imagery of the Earth surface allowed us to identify several coastal boulders displacements in the Southern Apulia coast (Italy) for a period between July 2018 and June 2020. Field surveys confirmed the displacements of several dozens of boulders up to several meters in size, and allowed us to identify the initial position for many of them. Two possible causative storms were identified analysing archive weather maps, and calculations based on analytical equations were found in agreement with the displacement by storm waves for most of the observed boulders. The results help to provide insights about the onshore effect of storm waves on the coastal hydrodynamics and the possible future flooding hazard in the studied coast.

1. Introduction

Boulder dynamics is an issue of growing concern in Earth Sciences since it may provide essential data for coastal evolution and hazards assessment [1,2,3,4,5]. Geomorphological monitoring is the primary tool to study the coastal morphodynamic processes, and particularly boulder transport [6,7]. Several monitoring methods have been recently used, including terrestrial laser scanning, drone photogrammetric survey, transect photo sets, kite aerial photography, surveillance camera recording, and radiofrequency identification [8,9,10,11,12,13]. However, due to budget and organizational reasons, they are used to monitor short stretches of coast (hundreds of meters long).
In the case of clasts of large size, multi-temporal satellite image analysis can help to overcome such restrictions [14,15], including those made with free computer programs, such as Google Earth (GE) [16,17]. The identification of displaced boulders can then be followed by on site surveys on the selected places. While careful geological and geomorphological investigations are mandatory to improve our sedimentological and morphodynamic knowledge [18,19,20], basic geometrical, physical, and kinematic features of boulders displaced during high energy events give a measure of the wave impact on the coast [21,22,23].
The potential of storm waves to move boulders and contribute to the coastal morphological evolution is of increasing interest also in connection with possible changes in the storm climatology related to climate change, with a possible increase in their energy release [24,25]. The present study obtains information about the dynamics of the boulders that occurred between two consecutive image sets available on GE. The study area is the southern coast of Apulia (Italy, central Mediterranean). It is known in the literature for its widespread boulder fields, whose causative events are traced back to both tsunamis and storms [1,26,27,28].
The aims of the present study are: (a) to provide data on boulder displacements for a wide study area by using publicly available satellite imagery coupled with field surveys; (b) to identify the storm event(s) resulting in boulder displacements; (c) to use boulders as a proxy for coastal hazards in a reliable way. GE provides several open source tools for Earth observation studies [29,30]. The use of such a facility in coastal boulder research has recently started, even if its potential has yet to be fully understood [16,17].
In the present paper, first results were gained for the Apulia coast as exposed in the next sections. Details and data supplemental to the main text are given in four appendices: in Appendix A geomorphological features of main identified boulders are reported; in Appendix B, an example of a measurement procedure is shown; in Appendix C, some weather maps of the meteorological features are shown; and finally, in Appendix D, hydrodynamics equations are briefly summarized, together with the calculated minimum wave heights for the boulder displacements.
The results found a global agreement between the boulder transport distance, as detected by satellite imagery and field geological surveys, and the characteristic wave heights of the strongest identified storms, thus, giving support to use the displaced boulders as proxies for the coastal flooding hazard.

2. Study Area

The Southern Apulia (also named Salento Peninsula) belongs to the Apulia Carbonate Ridge, a foreland sector of the Apenninic Chain. It developed a horst and graben setting from the Late Cretaceous, undergoing mild structural deformations [31]. The upper basement of the Salento Peninsula consists of Mesozoic limestones and dolostones covered by Tertiary and Quaternary carbonates and marls (Figure 1).
Horst and graben are dissected by normal or strike-slip faults. Due to the predominance of calcareous rocks, the study area is typified by karst features. The younger phase of karstification started from the Early Pleistocene with the tectonic uplift of the Apulia Carbonate Ridge. The concomitant marine regression was discontinuous and affected by eustatic processes, thus, resulting in a marine terrace staircase [32,33]. At each of the coastal stretch herein considered, the lower marine terrace has peculiar stratigraphic and geomorphological characteristics, especially with regards to the width of the coastal platform and the height of the cliff edge.
The coast of the southern Apulia faces the northern Ionian Sea and has a microtidal regime. The north-western side of the Ionian Sea coincides with the Taranto Gulf, a semi-enclosed basin. Toward the north-east, the Ionian Sea is connected to the Adriatic Sea by the Strait of Otranto. The physiography and coastal morphology west and east of S. Maria di Leuca (Figure 1) are different. The south-western coast of Salento Peninsula is characterised by a series of pocket-beaches and rocky cliffs. The edge of these latter is usually between 0.5 m and a few meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL), while their base is located a few meters below. The shoreface is gently sloping, with the 10 m isobath typically tens of meters away from the coast (data from the nautical chart of “Istituto Idrografico della Marina Militare” of Italy).
By contrast, an escarpment up to tens of meters high bounds the Salento Peninsula toward the Otranto Strait. It abruptly slopes to the sea and usually dips at relatively high angle down to about 50 m in depth [34]. The escarpment is lower at some stretches, as the one south of Sant’Emiliano (S. Emiliano in Figure 1). The sea-state reference for the northern Ionian Sea is the Crotone buoy (inset top left of Figure 1). It belongs to the Ondametric Network of Italy. By analysing the datasets of this buoy, maximum significant waves of 6.3 m for a 50 year return period and of 8.2 m for a 100 year return period have resulted [35,36].

3. Methods

3.1. Satellite Imagery and Geological Investigations

The most recent open source images of the Southern Apulia, available on GE from December 2020, dated on 28 June 2020. Previous images were taken on 20 July 2018, 9 July 2017, and 19 July 2015. As a first step, the rocky coastal stretches were carefully examined at an eye elevation of between 50 and 150 m. On each boulder field and single boulder with major axis of at least 1 m, visual comparisons were made between the last satellite image and the previous one. The main goal was to establish any changes in position [4,17,37]. All the displaced boulders identified using GE images were then surveyed on the field. Any uncertainties were resolved by feedback control (Figure 2).
Three different types of initial positions were dealt with: (a) socket; (b) print left on the platform by singular boulder; (c) print left by clustered boulder. Since a socket is defined as the detachment surface of the boulder from the rocky substrate [3], the difference in colours between the fresh (not or poorly covered by lichen) and the weathered rocky surface usually allow easy detection [7]. Sometimes in satellite images, the socket is highlighted by the shadows of its edge [38].
The case of boulders previously uprooted from their original substrate is different. The prints left on the surface by such boulders are more or less evident, and, from post-displacement satellite images, it is possible to identify them in favorable conditions of sunlight. From pre-displacement satellite images, such initial positions must be clear and unambiguous in order to be considered [39]. However, the check by field survey is crucial, which, in the case of single boulders, may allow to establish its initial position with extreme accuracy. The initial positions of close or overlapping boulders may be determined as the area occupied by the whole group, rather than that of any single boulder.
The in situ determined data were: dimensions of the boulder axes, a (major), b (middle), and c (minor) (according to [40]); Initial Distances from the cliff edge, x i ; Final Distances from the cliff edge, x f ; Pre Transport Setting (PTS); Joint-Bounded (JB); Sub-Aerial (SA); SubMerged (SM) (according to [21]); Movement Type (MT); saltation (ST); sliding (SL); overturning (OV); Lithology (Li); Calcarenite (C); Limestone (L); and Sandstone (S).
Some geomorphological observations were made in view of further detailed studies. Where both the initial and the final positioning of the boulders were identified, the Transport Distance (TD) was determined (Figure 2, see also Appendix B). The axes dimensions were used to establish the Size (Si) and Shape (Sh) of the boulders according to [41] as well as the Flatness Index (FI) = ( a + b ) / 2 c . The data collected by satellite imagery and geological investigations are shown in Section 4 and Appendix A.

3.2. Marine Weather Analysis

A visual screening of the Mediterranean storms in the time interval of this study has been made using the web archives of the GLOBO-BOLAM-MOLOCH model cascade [42]. The first analysis was made by a careful screening of the 500 hPa geopotential height maps of the GLOBO model archive for the Northern emisphere. These identify the middle-atmosphere pressure conditions that allow to ensure or exclude the presence of stormy conditions over the Mediterranean region.
After this coarse-grained identification of the storm periods, these were analysed in higher space-time resolution using the archives of the mesoscale models BOLAM (10 km horizontal resolution) and MOLOCH (3 km horizontal resolution), in order to obtain more detailed information about the wind field over the study region. Indeed, the evaluation of the characteristic wave height H 0 and the wave period T in the sea storms was made starting from the wind characteristics (wind speed U, wind direction, fetch over the sea surface F, and duration R) as established by the forecast map archive of the BOLAM-MOLOCH model.
The wind characteristics were used to evaluate the spectral peak wave height from the similarity relation equations [43,44]. They related T, H 0 and R to the wind speed at 10 m height offshore U and to the fetch over the sea F:
g T / U = 0.286 ( g F / U 2 ) 1 / 3
g H 0 / U 2 = 0.0016 ( g F / U 2 ) 1 / 2
g R / U = 68.8 ( g F / U 2 ) 2 / 3
where g is the gravity acceleration ([44], p. 117).
The duration R of stability of wind conditions, estimated from the wind maps, has been used as a limiting factor to calculate an effective fetch F for the Equations (1) and (2), whenever the actual geometric fetch appears to be much longer.
The sea level elevation H s related to the storm surge over the south-western Salento coast can be estimated by a simple analytical model depending on the wind stress along the coast and the depth of the coastal shelf. For a storm surge depending on the blocking effect of an open coast over an Ekman current caused by a transient wind stress parallel to the coast line, the following expression can be found ([45], p. 396):
H s = U 2 C 1 r t exp ( L f / C )
with C = (gD) 1 / 2 ; where D is the coastal shelf depth, L is the length of the coastline along the right side of the wind direction, f is the Coriolis parameter (f = 2 Ω sin φ , Ω = earth angular velocity, φ = latitude), r is the ratio of the specific weight of air and water, and t is the transient time of the storm. U is the friction velocity, which can be calculated from the wind speed U at the height z = 10 m over the sea level solving the following equation ([44], pp. 115–116):
U ( z ) = ( U / k ) ln ( z g / ( a U 2 ) )
Here, k = 0.4 is the Von Karman constant, and the Charnock parameter has an average value a = 0.018; however, it appears to vary with sea conditions and tends to increase over young sea as during the wave growth in storms. Hsu ([44], pp. 116–117), proposed a = (2 π /g)( H 0 / T 2 ) to take into account this effect. Empirical formulas relating the sea level to the depth of the surface low pressure centre in the storm are also used in practical estimations of the storm surge, although they are dependent on the site of application:
H s = S F s F m
where the open sea surge S, the shoaling factor F s , and the storm motion factor F m are tabulated from empirical observations ([44], pp. 212–215). The open sea surge depends on the depth of the low pressure centre, that, together with the average speed and direction of the storm motion during 24 h can be estimated by the BOLAM forecast maps, while the shoaling factor is tabulated as a function of the depth of the coast shelf. The marine weather conditions during the considered storms are exposed in Section 5 and Appendix C.

3.3. Onshore Wave Height Assessment

Coastal boulders can be used as proxies to estimate coastal hazards, among which extreme wave inundations and damaging flows [5,46,47]. The hydrodynamics equations [21,48], largely applied to calculate the minimum wave height H m to move the boulders, however, have been criticized for several shortcomings, and care should be used in drawing conclusions [49]. In addition, where the initial position of the boulders may be recognized, the onshore decay of the wave height should also be considered [49,50,51].
As shown in Section 4 and Appendix A, the surveys made at the boulder sites generally allowed us to determine the initial positions. Thus, to estimate the Sea Wave Height (SWH) in each determined onshore point, the equation proposed by [50] was (Section 6 and Appendix D). This allowed us to calculate the SWH reduction over the shore, which is an estimation of the wave height H impacting the boulder at a distance x i from the shoreline.
The obtained estimate of the height of the wave impacting the boulder, for each of the selected storms, were then compared with the required minimum wave height H m to move the boulders according to the observations of their position and size. In the comparison, to calculate H m , the dynamic equations by Nandasena et al. (2011) [21] for the initial position and Engel and May (2012) [48] for the final position were used (see also Appendix D).

4. Satellite Imagery and Geological Investigations

4.1. Overview

The first achievement of this study is the identification of 81 boulders displaced along eight coastal stretches between July 2018 and June 2020 (Table 1). Four of these eight sites (Punta Prosciutto headland, north of Torre Sant’Isidoro, Capilungo coast, south of Torre Sant’Emiliano; P. Prosciutto, S. Isidoro, Capilungo, and S. Emiliano in Figure 1) are already known in the boulder literature [10,26,27,28]. At Torre del Sasso (T. del Sasso in Figure 1), another previously known site, no changes apparently occurred in the positions of coastal boulders during the considered time interval.
Many of displaced boulders (47 out of 81) were identified at the 6.5 km long stretch of coast between Punta Pizzo headland and Torre Suda. This coast includes three of the new identified sites (P. Pizzo, Mancaversa, and T. Suda sites of Figure 1). The Torre Suda site only was previously known for the boulder dynamics from two preliminary reports [52,53]. This should instead be the first report for the Ciardo site (west of S. Maria di Leuca, Figure 1).
The initial and final coordinates of the displaced boulders taken from the 28 June 2020 GE image are in Table A1, Table A3, Table A5, Table A7, Table A9, Table A11, Table A13, Table A15. For 59 out of 81 boulders, the TD were calculated with varying degrees of accuracy, as explained below; in column 4 of Table 1 the number of such cases (No. of TD) for each site is reported. The Pre Transport Setting (PTS) was determined for all the 81 boulders, while the Movement Type (MT) was indeterminable for 12 boulders, uncertain for 11, certain for the remaining 58 (Table A2, Table A4, Table A6, Table A8, Table A10, Table A12, Table A14 and Table A16). The main features to each site are provided below, while further field data are in Appendix A.

4.2. Punta Prosciutto Headland

Punta Prosciutto headland is placed at the north-western side of the study area (Figure 1). The average height above the MSL ( H c ) of the cliff is about 0.5 m, while the shore platform is made by a calcarenitic terrace lying on the not outcropping Cretaceous limestone. By comparing the satellite images available on GE, 18 boulders displaced by waves between July 2018 and June 2020 have been identified (Table A1 and Table A2). Most of the boulders are scattered on the west side of Punta Prosciutto headland (Figure 3).
Eleven of the eighteen boulders are isolated, while the others are clustered as two groups (Figure 4). The first is composed of four imbricated boulders (PRi,j,k,l); the second, by three neighbouring boulders (PRn,o,p). The initial positions of the first group were identified, albeit not individually (in Italics in Table A1; see the blue lines in Figure 3), while no evidence of the initial positions of the boulders of the second group was found. The direction of displacement is generally from SW to NE, except for the boulders PRc,d for which it is from SE to NW (Figure 3). The 13 calculated TD range from 2.6 to 16.3 m (Table A1); the magnitudes of the large boulders PRf, PRq, and PRr (Table A2) are of 16.3, 11.7, and 15.4 m, respectively. The field evidence shows that PRc moved out of its socket, while the other boulders had previously been detached from the substrate.

4.3. Sant’Isidoro Coast

North of Torre Sant’Isidoro coast (S. Isidoro in Figure 2) is monitored since 2017. By means of such field activity, 11 boulders were identified as being displaced by the storm of 12–13 November 2019 [10]. However, due to their small sizes, only three of these boulders were recognized by comparing GE satellite images (Table A3 and Table A4). In addition, the sockets are not visible by satellite images (Figure A1). The largest dislodged boulder (4.8 × 2.2 × 1.1 m) is not recognizable by the used satellite imagery due to its very short TD (0.2 m; cf. [10] also for other features of the site). Since the November 2019 storm and until June 2020, there have been no further changes in the position of the boulders. Cretaceous limestone crops out over much of this site, however the 12–13 November 2019 storm produced only calcarenitic boulders. The average height above the MSL ( H c ) of Sant’Isidoro cliff is less than 0.5 m.

4.4. Punta Pizzo Headland

The coast south of Punta Pizzo Headland (P.Pizzo in Figure 2) is roughly straight and bounded by a cliff about 1.5 m high above the MSL ( H c ). A total of 18 boulders have been identified at this site, grouped into three different areas (Figure 5).
The northern area includes four boulders that changed position in the period considered in the present study. Regarding the overturned boulder, PIr, its socket has been also recognized (Figure A2a,b). The central area has the largest number of boulders, including the largest one—namely the boulder PIh (Table A6). For this latter, a TD of 14.3 m was measured, lower only than that of the smaller boulder PIj (Table A5). To give an example of the used procedure, TD measures of the central area are shown in Appendix B (see also Figure 2).
In the southern area a group of five closely spaced boulders (PIa,b,c,d,e) is to be emphasized (Figure A2c,d). Each of these boulders has been moved about 4–5.5 m from the initial positions, clearly visible in the GE image of July 2018 as well as by the prints left on the platform and visible in the satellite image of June 2020 (Figure 5). The direction of displacement is from SW to NE for all boulders whose initial and final positions have been recognized along the coast of Punta Pizzo headland.

4.5. Mancaversa Coast

The average height above the MSL ( H c ) of Mancaversa cliff does not exceed 1.5 m. A particular feature of this stretch of coast is the presence of sandstone dunes that widely cover the calcarenitic terrace. Two of the fifteen boulders on this site are in fact made of sandstone, the others of calcarenite (Table A7 and Table A8). The fifteen boulders are grouped into four different areas (Figure 6, Appendix A). The southernmost boulder, MAa, is the largest in this site (Figure A3a). Its initial position can be defined with some difficulty based on the satellite image of July 2018; however, it is clearly visible in the image of July 2017.
The group of seven imbricated boulders MAf-l must be mentioned (Figure A3b). As for the case described in the previous subsection, the initial positions are clearly visible in the Google Earth image of July 2018. Instead, the prints left on the platform are hardly visible in the June 2020 GE image, and even the geological field observations have not provided good results in this regard. The alteration of the rock has evidently already hid this feature. It was however calculated that each of the seven boulders has been transported about 5.5–8.5 m from the initial positions (Table A7). The rockfall next to the sandstone boulder MAc (Figure 6 and Figure A3c) may have been triggered by the impact of storm waves.

4.6. Torre Suda Coast

By comparing the GE satellite images, fourteen displaced boulders were identified at the Torre Suda (Table A9 and Table A10, Figure 7). They are grouped into four different areas (Appendix A). The northern area was geologically surveyed after the 29–30 October 2018 storm because of a first displacement of the boulder SUi [52]. This circumstance makes it possible to have further data on the reconstruction of the boulder dynamics occurred in the time period considered by this study. SUa (Figure 8a and Figure A4) is the largest boulder among those identified in all the sites considered herein. Its initial and final positions are clearly visible in the satellite images. Boulder SUa underwent a transport parallel to the coast of about 9 m (from SSE to NNW), without going beyond the cliff, which is about 0.5 m high ( H c ), even if it exceeds 1 m for short distances. Thus, despite having a relevant TD, its distance from the cliff edge ( x f ) has not changed.
As mentioned above, the boulder SUi suffered a first transport during the October 2018 storm from SW to NE. Subsequently, it was further transported towards the hinterland in the same direction, as determined by the GE image and field survey. The boulders SUj,k,l,m,n are scattered in the northernmost area of the Torre Suda site (Figure 7 and Figure 8b). The aforementioned storm is excluded as the causative event of the change in their positions.

4.7. Capilungo Coast

The average height above the MSL ( H c ) of Capilungo cliff does not exceed 0.5 m. Six boulders changed position between July 2018 and June 2020 in this stretch of coast (Figure 9, Table A11 and Table A12). CAa,b,c form a group of closely spaced boulders and have undergone a transport (TD) of 2–3 m (Figure A6). The other boulders of this site have undergone shorter transports but still more than 1.5 m.

4.8. Ciardo Coast

Unlike the other sites described above, the Ciardo coast is characterized by the outcropping substrate of Cretaceous limestone while its average height above the MSL ( H c ) is about 3 m. Four of the five boulders identified here form a group of closely spaced boulders that lies above an onshore tilted by about 30°. TD values between 1.6 and 3.3 m were calculated for them (Table A13 and Table A14). The direction of boulder displacement is from SW to NE (Figure A7). The fifth boulder, identified by satellite images through its socket, was likely carried out to sea as it was not found above the cliff.

4.9. Sant’Emiliano Coast

The average height above the MSL ( H c ) of Sant’Emiliano cliff is about 2.5 m, and it is made up by Tertiary limestones. From the comparison of satellite images, two large boulders moved from their initial positions between July 2018 and June 2020 were identified (Table A15 and Table A16). Both were not found above the cliff; thus, they have likely sunk below sea level. The geological observations of the ground confirmed the presence of the two relative sockets (cf. Figure A8b), on the basis of which the dimensions of the a and b axes were established (Figure A9).

4.10. Summary

The initial position of 64 out of 81 boulders was recognized. It is usually located on the rocky platforms and only for a few cases at the edge of the cliffs (boulders PRc, PRf, MAa, SUa, SUd, SUl, SUn). As disclosed in Section 4.1 and then detailed for each sites, for 59 boulders the TD was measured from the 28 June 2020 GE image. For 37 of the 59 boulders, the exact initial positioning was ascertained in the field by virtue of the geological features; thus, their TD were carefully determined (see Section 6). The remaining 22 out of 59 boulders form several clusters, and their initial positions were determined with an accuracy of a few meters (in Italics in Table A1, Table A5, Table A7 and Table A13).

5. Marine Weather Conditions

Five storms were identified in the screening of the period between fall 2018 and spring 2020. They happened on: 29–30 October 2018, 12–13 November 2019, 24–26 November 2019, 22 December 2019, and 2 March 2020. The main meteorological characteristics will be briefly mentioned, and for each of them an estimation of the expected spectral maximum wave height H 0 over the southern Apulia coast will be calculated by Equation (2), to assess their potential impact over the coastal boulders.
The 29–30 October 2018 storm was caused because of a 500 hPa trough generated over the Iberian peninsula approached the Mediterraneam region from north-west, thus, advecting very strong winds on the south-eastern part of the Italian peninsula. A deep surface low of abut 980 hPa crossed the north-western Mediterranean sea during the day 29 October. This storm, remembered as the Vaia storm, was characterized by very strong winds that affected the Ionian and Adriatic seas up to the Venezia Gulf. Studies analysed the particular meteorological conditions that locally caused very strong and persisting winds, that were responsible for the destruction of the so-called Violins Forest in the Veneto region [54].
The synoptic configuration remained unchanged for days, because of the association of high pressure conditions on eastern Europe and over the Atlantic sea, a condition that is becoming increasingly common in the last decades [55]. This caused strong winds with stable south-eastern direction and intensity to blow for over two days, with a maximum fetch from the Salento southern coast between 700 and 800 km, because of the stability in the direction (Figure A11). The wind speed was about 12–18 m/s at 10 m height offshore the Salento coast and above 20 m/s in the Venice lagoon.
The most effective for the impact over the southern Apulia coast was associated to a fetch between 700 and 800 km over the Ionian sea, that, with an average wind speed of about 15 m/s gives a maximum spectral wave height between 6.5 and 7.5 m by Equation (2). The stable south-eastern wind direction results in a potential wave impact over both the south-eastern and south-western Salento coasts. Vaia storm caused significant impact on coastal boulders in the northern Adriatic Sea [56], while only one boulder displacement was documented at the southern Apulia coast [52].
In 12–13 November 2019 a trough at 500 hpa approaching from the north west of France deepened strongly over the Gulf of Lion, that often acts as a feeding area in increasing the strength of the Mediterranean storm in this period of the year. The trough then migrated southward in the Tyrrenian sea reaching Sicily after acquiring more strength turning around the Atlante altiplan, almost assuming a Medicane-like structure, and thus advecting very strong winds over the Taranto gulf. A deep surface low of about 990 hPa was generated over the western Mediterranean during the day 12 of November.
The strong wind over Salento started soon after midnight from the south east, and persisted for about 24 h from almost the same direction with an offshore fetch of about 700–800 km, down to the Libya coast (Figure A12). In the following evening the wind turned from south-southwest until the afternoon of Wednesday 13 of November, with a fetch reduced to about 350 km, which kept reducing until the end of the event. The wind speed at 10 m height offshore was about 20 m/s. The most effective for the impact over the southern Salento coast was associated to a fetch of 700–800 km over the Ionian sea, that, with an average wind speed of 20 m/s gave a maximum spectral wave height of about 8–9 m.
These almost exceptional wind-wave conditions are in agreement and were confirmed by local observations in S. Maria di Leuca meteomarine station [10]. The wind direction was slowly changing during the first day from south-east to south, however, not affecting the overall fetch of over 700 km, also in agreement with its duration of over 24 h. The south-eastern wind direction associated to this fetch resulted in a potential wave impact over both the south-eastern and south-western Salento coasts.
A quite similar synoptic condition caused a new storm about only two weeks after, between 24 and 26 of November 2019, however, with a weaker depression in the middle atmosphere that migrated southward from the north-western Mediterranean region. Again the strongest winds blew from the south-eastern direction over the south Salento coast, but with a weaker intensity of about 15 m/s (Figure A13). In this case, the fetch was again of about 700–800 km, so that the wind-fetch conditions seem to be similar to the 2018 storm.
However, the duration of these conditions in the present case were of about 12 h, while in the 2018 storm, the long-fetch wind conditions lasted for more than 2 days, which makes a difference in terms of the wave height and effect over the coast. Indeed, taking into account of the actual duration, the calculate spectral peak wave is reduced to 4–4.5 m (with an effective fetch of about 300 km).
Both the 22 December 2019 and the 2 March 2020 storms were caused by two middle-atmosphere lows coming from the north-eastern direction with respect to the Italian peninsula. This difference caused a different impact over the southern Apulia, with more variability of the wind speed and direction. In the case of December 2019, the prevailing direction was from the western direction over the Salento coast (Figure A14), with a shorter fetch because of the geographic shape of the Taranto gulf. The BOLAM model shows a wind of about 15 m/s at 10 m over the sea, associated to a fetch of about 300 km, which gives a maximum wave height of about 4–5 m. In this case, due to the prevailing western wind component, the waves are not expected to impact over the south-eastern Salento coast.
In the case of March 2020 the strongest wind blew from the South, with a lower intensity of about 12 m/s and a maximum fetch of nor more than 400 km (Figure A15). This fact potentially affected both sides of the southern Salento coast; however, the maximum calculated wave height is again not greater than 4–5 m at most.

6. Results and Discussion

6.1. Inferred Boulders Dynamics

Multi-temporal satellite image analysis allowed to oversee the main boulder displacements occurred in two years along 130 km of the Apulia coast. With reference to the two positions occupied by the boulders in July 2018 and June 2020, respectively, it is obviously not possible to establish whether the position changes were caused by one or more displacements. Only for the boulder SUi we know of two different movements, the first of which occurred due to the 29–30 October 2018 storm [52].
Again, the eighty-one boulders identified are not exhaustive of the whole phenomenon. It was possible to identify only those of large size, i.e., with major axis of at least 1 m. The latter correspond to those defined as “coarse boulder” by Blair and McPherson [41]. However, by virtue of a monitoring carried out in one of the sites (S. Isidoro, see Figure 1) we know that also numerous smaller clasts have changed position because of the 12–13 November storm [10].
As most of the boulders were located on the rocky platforms prior to transport, they must have been displaced by waves that, after the cliff overtopping, crossed the shore likely as bore flows [21,47,48,50]. By relating TD, FI and boulder size (Figure 10) some inferences may be done. As a whole, an inverse relationship between FI and TD is apparent, in good accordance with the experimental observations of Imamura et al. [57] and Nandasena and Tanaka [58].
In particular, the “very coarse boulder” (according to the [41] classification, see the medium size symbol in Figure 10), appeared to be more easily displaced by the waves the more they were flattened. Calculated TDs were largely shorter than 10 m: less than 8 m for the 83% of the considered boulders; less than 4 m for the 54%. Some larger transports occurred. However, the ten of boulders with TD > 8 m apparently do not show relationships with their own shape and size. The inferred prevalent number of short transports for the flatter boulders is in agreement with the result of previous studies [56,59].
The diagram in Figure 11 relates the final distance ( x f ) to the TD. It is apparent how x f overrates the change in position of the boulders, often even more than twice the actual transport. This suggests that using x f as a measure of boulder transport due to storm waves can lead to an overestimation of the actual dynamics. It would, therefore, be necessary to establish also the initial position x i of the boulders, in order to elaborate inferences relating to the boulder transport. In the present study, the combined use of satellite imagery and field geological surveys resulted in reliable TDs for 59 out of 81 boulders.
Several identified displaced boulders are grouped, somewhere forming imbricated clusters. The analysis of the hydrodynamic and geological implications of the clusters [60,61] is beyond the aims of the present study. However, it should be noted that, for the case herein described, the clustering and even the imbrication of the boulders frequently occurred (see e.g., the boulders PRi,j,k,l and PRn,o,p at Punta Prosciutto; the boulders PIa,b,c,d,e at Punta Pizzo; the boulders MAf,g,h,i,j,k,l at the Mancaversa; the boulders CAa,b,c,d at the Capilungo; and CIa,b,c,d at the Ciardo).

6.2. Causative Storm Identification

From the point of view of the maximum wave height and energy the two storms of October 2018 and 12–13 November 2019 should be considered as the most effective to cause boulder displacements (Section 5). The strong surface winds and deep low pressure conditions were also responsible for additional relevant coastal surges that enhanced the wave effects over the coast. Taking into account the uncertainties in the parameters, above all the sea depth D in the proximity of the coast, the estimated values for the sea level increase H s were between 1.2 and 1.7 m for the 2018 storm and between 1.5 and 2 m for the first 2019 storm (both of about one day of duration) from Equation (4). Equation (6) gives 1.5 m in 2018 and 1.0 m in 2019.
The last, although smaller, effect to be taken into account is the diurnal tide. This can be estimated as the product of the main periodic components that are functions of the latitude ([45], p. 335), giving a value of about 0.3 m, that is in agreement with typical local observations. In spite of the necessary approximations in the simplified models and the uncertainty in some parameters this analysis shows that both in 29–30 October 2018 and 12–13 November 2019 storms, the sea level elevation can be considered well above 1 m with respect to the mean sea level.
Following these approximate estimations, a value of H s = 1.5 m as been taken as representative of the average rising of the sea level in both the considered storms. These storms have certainly caused some boulder displacements at two sites as by post-event surveys [10,52,53] (see also Section 4).

6.3. Coastal Hazard Inferences

As proposed by several authors [7,10,22,23], the wave heights H m required to displace the boulders may be related to the coastal hazards. The values obtained from the equations proposed by [21,48] are listed in Table A18Table A25. They are between almost 10 m and about 0.5 m, depending on the boulder size and type of movement. About 20% of H m are between 5 and 2 m, which, considering the low altitudes above the sea level of the studied area, may be associated to significant flooding hazard. However, to achieve reliable conclusions, detailed expensive studies on each of the considered sites must be carried out (i.e., photogrammetric, laser scan, scuba surveys, and the processing of high-resolution images), together with an assessment of the reliability of the calculated minimum wave heights H m for the boulder movements.
Thus, in the present study, we attempted to assess the connection between H m and the wave height H impacting the boulders, comparing the calculated minimum value H m with an estimate of the height of the onshore flow calculated taking into account the distance from the coastline of the boulder (Equation (A6)), and the actual marine weather conditions to estimate H 0 (by Equation (2)). Figure 12 compares the curves of the estimated wave height H from Equation (A6) (Appendix D) with the requested minimum wave heights H m (circles), to move the boulders from the initial to the final position as a function of the onshore distance from the coastline. This approach is similar to that used by [48] to identify the causative wave events of some paleo-deposits.
The line type refers to the selected storm, and the colours refer to the coast average height for both the boulders and the storm wave height. The coasts of the study sites were clustered in three groups (black, red, and blue) for low (0–1 m), medium (1–2 m), and high coasts (2–3 m), respectively. In synthesis, the estimated wave height H in a storm for a particular position and coastal height overcomes the minimum required wave height H m to move the boulder in the initial or final position when the circles identifying the boulder positions are below one of the curves of the same colour.
This figure shows that the condition H > H m , holds for most of the boulders for the two strongest storms of the studied period, with a significant difference with respect to the other weaker storms, which appear to be unable to move most of the boulders even in the most favourable low coast conditions (as shown by the dash-dotted line that is representative of H for H 0 = 4.5 m, and H s = 0.5 m).
Cox et al. (2020) [49] criticized the analytical equations, widely used to estimate the wave height required for boulder transport [2,7,21,48], that was also used in this work. They indicated several shortcomings, mainly regarding the ‘constant’ parameters used in the equations, such as the friction coefficients, the oversimplified assumption linking the wave height to the fluid velocity that is responsible for the stress force over the boulders, and the comparison of the calculated minimum wave height with the spectral peak wave height, as an estimation of the ‘maximum’ wave height of the storm.
As these authors showed in their work, the effect of the above assumptions were generally to overestimate the minimum wave height required to move the boulders in the case of meteorological storm with respect to the tsunami waves [49]. In addition, Engel and May [48] showed that Equation (A6) tends to overestimate the actual decrease of H 0 at a distance X from the coastline. These facts, together with the underestimation of the maximum storm wave height H 0 due to its assimilation to the spectral peak wave, triggered many of the previous analyses in favour of the tsunami interpretation for the boulder displacements [48,49]. H 0 was also used here as a proxy for R, that is for the breaking wave height at the coastline (Equation (A6)).
Sunamura and Horikawa [62], proposed an estimation of the breaking wave height as an increasing function of the coastal slope and of the wave period that has been used by other authors [2]. In this case, taking into account the uncertainties in the determination of the wave parameters and, above all, the uncertainty about the significant coastal slope in the different sites, we avoided to introduce more indetermination so that a conservative approach with H 0 as a proxy for the breaking wave height R was used, that is actually its minimum value for a vanishing slope.
Even with this minimum value for the wave height, the result of the analysis showed that, for most of the considered boulders, the storm-produced displacement was indeed possible, in agreement with the calculations, and the application of the certainly well-founded aforementioned observations and criticisms already discussed, as also the use of a Rayleigh distribution for the sea wave heights with a non-negligible probability of waves higher than the spectral peak wave H 0 , would generally result in higher values for the waves impacting over the boulders and, consequently, a reinforcement of this result, with possibly even more points with H > H m in Figure 12.

7. Conclusions

Three main conclusions can be inferred with reference to the main aims of this work (see Section 1):
(a) The carried out investigations resulted in eighty-one documented boulder displacements along the about 130 km studied coast length. Publicly available satellite imagery coupled with field surveys proved useful for this purpose. For three quarters of the studied boulders, the TDs were calculated with varying degrees of accuracy, while, only for a small number of them, unfavourable lighting or not optimal resolution of the satellite images limited the investigations. An inverse relationship between the displacement magnitude and flattened shape was found, which was in good agreement with the literature knowledge.
(b) The analysis of synoptic weather maps allowed the identification of the stormy days in the period of study. They were associated to analytical equations to estimate the spectral peak of the SWH, thus, identifying two main storms of relevant wave height. The final results in Figure 12 confirmed that, only in the case of the two strongest storms of October 2018 and 12–13 November 2019, the estimated wave height was above the minimum required to move most of the boulders. The effect was also enhanced by a relevant sea level rise by storm surge and was much more effective than in the remaining weaker storms, when all the displaced boulders are taken into account. The intensity of the storm is important, but must be also associated to a proper wind direction (fetch) and its persistence.
(c) In the sites of study the calculated minimum wave heights for the boulder movements are actually found to be generally lower than the estimated onshore wave heights of the strongest storms. This confirms the possibility of using the boulders as a proxy for evaluating the storm minimum wave heights impacting at different onshore distances from the coastline and suggests a significant flooding hazard.
The present analysis also showed that, in the considered locations, most of the boulders can be displaced by the strongest storms, however, with a quite large gap between their effect and that of weaker storms in the observed period. The storm of 12–13 November 2019 was indeed of non-common strength for the local wind speed over the sea and the wave heights, but it also appears that even somehow lower wind speeds, such as in the October 2018 storm, can cause quite high waves, possibly effective for the boulder motion, when the duration and persistence of the wind direction produces a long fetch in the site, as in the case of meteorological blocking effects, and a relevant storm surge can also be present.
As indicated in the Introduction (Section 1), some general climatic considerations and early climate modelling studies suggested a possible general increase in the power of the storms in the next future, in spite of a possible decrease in their total number [24,25]. Studies have also been made for the specific case of Mediterranean storms, where some similar signals were noted from the first numerical modelling approaches, although they did not appear as statistically significant [63]. More recent studies, however, seem to confirm a possible increasing trend in the power of the storms in the Mediterranean sea, together with a decrease in their frequency [64,65].
In our study, the displacements of quite large boulders appear to be connected with energetic waves that are characteristic of single very energetic storms. Thus, this study suggests that the apparent general climatic trend, if confirmed, in connection with the sea-level rise effect expected by both strong storm surges and global warming, implies that the effect of the meteorological storms in coastal hydrodynamic in the considered site could even be enhanced in the near future.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, methodology, M.D.R., P.M. and L.O.; satellite imagery investigation, M.D.R.; geological investigation, M.D.R. and L.O.; marine weather analysis, P.M.; hydrodynamics calculation, M.D.R. and P.M.; writing—original draft preparation, M.D.R., P.M. and L.O.; writing—review and editing, M.D.R. and P.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge A.L. Signore and L. Marzo for the assistance in the field surveys.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Appendix A

The data of each boulder (Section 3.1 and Section 4), together with selected features of the more typical ones, are reported in this appendix. Geographical coordinates and TD were taken from the 28 June 2020 GE image. Where the initial position was defined for groups of boulders (PRi,j,k,l and PRq,r of Figure 3 and Figure 4; PIa,b,c,d,e of Figure 5 and Figure A2; MAf,g,h,i,j,k,l of Figure 6 and Figure A3b; CIa,b,c,d of Figure A7) italics were used (Table A1, Table A2, Table A5, Table A6, Table A7, Table A8, Table A13 and Table A14).
For some boulders, the MT is uncertain between ST and OV (Table A2 and Table A8). In some photos (Figure A2b,c, Figure A3a,b,c, and Figure A5, Figure A6 and Figure A7), 1 m-long tape measure for scale was placed. As regards the Punta Prosciutto headland, two groups of boulders are shown in Figure 4. Before the transport, the imbricated PRi,j,k,l occupied a rectangular surface (3 × 4 m approximately) SW of the present position (Figure 3). The resolution of the 20 July 2018 image does not allow to individually identified these boulders. The same for PRq,r.
Table A1. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at Punta Prosciutto headland; ind., indeterminable.
Table A1. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at Punta Prosciutto headland; ind., indeterminable.
Initial Position Final Position
Boulder IDLatitudeLongitudeLatitudeLongitudeTD [m]
PRa40 17 32.24 N17 46 00.28 E40 17 32.49 N17 46 00.37 E7.7
PRb40 17 32.29 N17 46 00.31 E40 17 32.38 N17 46 00.34 E2.8
PRc40 17 30.14 N17 45 48.31 E40 17 30.25 N17 45 47.87 E10.8
PRd40 17 30.40 N17 45 46.87 E40 17 30.52 N17 45 46.78 E3.5
PRe40 17 32.47 N17 45 46.60 E40 17 32.60 N17 45 46.63 E3.8
PRf40 17 33.00 N17 45 45.86 E40 17 33.51 N17 45 46.13 E16.3
PRgind.ind.40 17 33.87 N17 45 46.33 E-
PRhind.ind.40 17 34.28 N17 45 46.09 E-
PRi40 17 34.72 N 17 45 45.62 E40 17 34.81 N17 45 45.71 E3.9
PRj40 17 34.72 N17 45 45.62 E40 17 34.83 N17 45 45.73 E4.8
PRk40 17 34.72 N17 45 45.62 E40 17 34.87 N17 45 45.75 E6.3
PRl40 17 34.72 N17 45 45.62 E40 17 34.85 N17 45 45.69 E4.4
PRm40 17 35.13 N17 45 45.60 E40 17 35.19 N17 45 45.69 E2.6
PRnind.ind.40 17 35.39 N17 45 45.64 E-
PRoind.ind.40 17 35.41 N17 45 45.74 E-
PRpind.ind.40 17 35.35 N17 45 45.78 E-
PRq40 17 35.48 N17 45 45.38 E40 17 35.77 N17 45 45.69 E11.7
PRr40 17 35.48 N17 45 45.38 E40 17 35.84 N17 45 45.84 E15.4
Table A2. Main features of the displaced boulders at Punta Prosciutto headland; Dimensions of the boulder axes a,b,c, initial distances from the cliff edge x i , final distances from the cliff edge x f . Li, Lithology; C, Calcarenite; L, Limestone; S, Sandstone; Sh, Shape; B, Bladed; P, Prolate, D, Disk; E, Equant; FI, Flatness Index; PTS, Pre Transport Setting; JB, Joint-Bounded, SA, Sub-Aerial; SM, Submerged; MT, Movement Type; ST, saltation; SL, sliding; OV, overturning; and ind., indeterminable.
Table A2. Main features of the displaced boulders at Punta Prosciutto headland; Dimensions of the boulder axes a,b,c, initial distances from the cliff edge x i , final distances from the cliff edge x f . Li, Lithology; C, Calcarenite; L, Limestone; S, Sandstone; Sh, Shape; B, Bladed; P, Prolate, D, Disk; E, Equant; FI, Flatness Index; PTS, Pre Transport Setting; JB, Joint-Bounded, SA, Sub-Aerial; SM, Submerged; MT, Movement Type; ST, saltation; SL, sliding; OV, overturning; and ind., indeterminable.
Boulder IDa [m]b [m]c [m] x i [m] x f [m]LiShFIPTSMT
PRa1.31.00.47.29.8CD2.88SAST
PRb1.91.20.87.77.9CP1.94SAST
PRc1.51.40.50.33.4CD2.90SAST,OV
PRd1.91.30.64.76.8CD2.67SAOV
PRe1.91.41.317.518.6CE1.27SAOV
PRf2.01.20.70.95.1CB2.29SAOV
PRg1.81.10.4ind.12.4CB3.63SAind.
PRh1.71.30.5ind.8.8CD3.00SAind.
PRi1.81.50.44.17.6CD4.13SAST
PRj1.40.90.34.18.5CB3.83SAST
PRk1.81.50.44.19.4CD4.13SAST,OV
PRl1.81.20.44.17.8CD3.75SAOV
PRm1.30.90.47.18.8CD2.75SAOV
PRn3.12.40.5ind.8.1CD5.50SAST,OV
PRo1.91.30.4ind.11.1CD4.00SAST,OV
PRp2.21.50.6ind.11.2CD3.08SAST,OV
PRq2.71.40.61.911.8CB3.42SAST
PRr1.91.40.41.913.3CD4.13SAST
As mentioned above (Section 4), the boulder dynamics occurred at the stretch of the Torre Sant’Isidoro coast because of the November 2019 storm has already been described by [10]. Here, we observe how even displaced coarse boulders may not be recognized by the multi-temporal satellite imagery (Figure A1). This can be due to the not optimal resolution of the images or to an unfavourable lighting.
Figure A1. Torre Sant’Isidoro coast. Below the boulder SIf, its socket was recognized during the field survey (from [10], modified). By the June 2020 satellite image, the other boulder (highlighted in red dashed line) was not identified despite its socket (very evident in the photo). Note that the field survey was made one month after the date of the last GE image.
Figure A1. Torre Sant’Isidoro coast. Below the boulder SIf, its socket was recognized during the field survey (from [10], modified). By the June 2020 satellite image, the other boulder (highlighted in red dashed line) was not identified despite its socket (very evident in the photo). Note that the field survey was made one month after the date of the last GE image.
Water 13 02426 g0a1
Table A3. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Torre Sant’Isidoro coast; ind., indeterminable.
Table A3. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Torre Sant’Isidoro coast; ind., indeterminable.
Initial Position Final Position
Boulder IDLatitudeLongitudeLatitudeLongitudeTD [m]
SIc40 13 34.20 N17 55 17.51 Eind.ind.-
SIf40 13 37.03 N17 55 14.06 E40 13 37.04 N17 55 14.07 E0.4
SIg40 13 43.82 N17 55 05.10 E40 13 43.89 N17 55 05.12 E2.4
Table A4. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Torre Sant’Isidoro coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Table A4. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Torre Sant’Isidoro coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Boulder IDa [m]b [m]c [m] x i [m] x f [m]LiShFIPTSMT
SIc2.61.70.61.5ind.CB3.58SASL
SIf2.82.40.41212.5CD6.00SAST
SIg1.71.50.5911.5CD3.20SAOV
Among the several displaced boulders identified at the Punta Pizzo headland, photos of a very coarse overturned boulder (Figure A2a,b) and of the main groups (Figure A2c,d) were selected. Note that the socket of PIr is clearly visible, while the print of the initial position of the boulder group is less so. However, the latter is well recognizable by the 20 July 2018 satellite image (Figure 5), where it shows a rounded contour with a radius of about 2 m.
Figure A2. Punta Pizzo headland: (a) The boulder PIr and its socket taken from the coastline. (b) The same objects of a, taken from inland. (c) The boulder group PIa,b,c,d,e and the initial position (blue dashed line) taken from the coastline. (d) The same objects of c, taken from inland.
Figure A2. Punta Pizzo headland: (a) The boulder PIr and its socket taken from the coastline. (b) The same objects of a, taken from inland. (c) The boulder group PIa,b,c,d,e and the initial position (blue dashed line) taken from the coastline. (d) The same objects of c, taken from inland.
Water 13 02426 g0a2
Table A5. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Punta Pizzo headland; ind., indeterminable.
Table A5. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Punta Pizzo headland; ind., indeterminable.
Initial Position Final Position
Boulder IDLatitudeLongitudeLatitudeLongitudeTD [m]
PIa39 59 34.46 N17 59 48.06 E39 59 34.58 N17 59 48.10 E3.9
PIb39 59 34.46 N17 59 48.06 E39 59 34.61 N17 59 48.18 E5.3
PIc39 59 34.46 N17 59 48.06 E39 59 34.63 N17 59 48.14 E5.6
PId39 59 34.46 N17 59 48.06 E39 59 34.62 N17 59 48.10 E5.1
PIe39 59 34.46 N17 59 48.06 E39 59 34.60 N17 59 48.06 E4.4
PIfind.ind.39 59 35.19 N17 59 47.30 E-
PIg39 59 43.62 N17 59 41.76 E39 59 43.68 N17 59 41.67 E2.8
PIh39 59 43.50 N17 59 41.37 E39 59 43.77 N17 59 41.86 E14.3
PIiind.ind.39 59 43.83 N17 59 41.79 E-
PIj39 59 43.55 N17 59 41.43 E39 59 43.92 N17 59 41.88 E15.6
PIkind.ind.39 59 43.97 N17 59 42.30 E-
PIlind.ind.39 59 44.25 N17 59 41.05 E-
PIm39 59 44.70 N17 59 41.28 E39 59 44.70 N17 59 41.30 E0.6
PIn39 59 44.86 N17 59 41.39 E39 59 44.86 N17 59 41.41 E0.7
PIo39 59 53.26 N17 59 38.24 E39 59 53.29 N17 59 38.25 E0.9
PIp39 59 53.25 N17 59 38.15 E39 59 53.33 N17 59 38.21 E2.8
PIqind.ind.39 59 53.46 N17 59 38.23 E-
PIr39 59 53.61 N17 59 38.20 E39 59 53.64 N17 59 38.30 E2.7
Table A6. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Punta Pizzo headland; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Table A6. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Punta Pizzo headland; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Boulder IDa [m]b [m]c [m] x i [m] x f [m]LiShFIPTSMT
PIa1.20.70.48.410.3CB2.38SASL
PIb1.61.10.48.412.6CD3.38SASL
PIc1.31.10.48.412.8CD3.00SASL
PId1.41.10.48.411.6CD3.13SASL
PIe2.71.00.48.410.6CD6.50SASL
PIf2.11.00.7ind.10.4CP2.11SAST
PIg2.91.40.711.09.3CB3.07SAOV
PIh3.12.20.41.715.5CD6.63SAST
PIi1.30.90.4ind.14.9CD2.75SAind.
PIj1.60.70.53.217.9CP2.30SAind.
PIk1.10.80.6ind.27.6CE1.58SAOV
PIl1.60.70.3ind.1.6CB3.83SMind.
PIm2.71.70.410.211.1CB5.50SASL
PIn2.41.30.414.114.7CB4.63SASL
PIo1.50.60.44.14.6CP2.63SASL
PIp2.01.50.42.64.3CD4.38SAOV
PIq1.30.70.3ind.6.6CB3.33SAind.
PIr2.51.40.46.28.6CB4.88JBOV
The largest boulder (Figure A3a), the main cluster (Figure A3b), and a rare sandstone boulder (Figure A3c) are shown for Mancaversa. Regarding the initial position of the MAf,g,h,i,j,k,l group, by the July 20 2018 satellite image, the area approximately occupied before the transport was recognized (Figure 6).
Table A7. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Mancaversa coast; ind., indeterminable.
Table A7. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Mancaversa coast; ind., indeterminable.
Initial Position Final Position
Boulder IDLatitudeLongitudeLatitudeLongitudeTD [m]
MAa39 58 20.49 N18 0 43.70 E39 58 20.64 N18 00 43.72 E4.4
MAb39 58 25.26 N18 0 41.07 E39 58 25.29 N18 00 41.08 E1.1
MAc39 58 26.55 N18 0 38.73 E39 58 26.61 N18 00 38.73 E1.8
MAdind.ind.39 58 33.36 N18 00 33.24 E-
MAeind.ind.39 58 33.38 N18 00 33.10 E-
MAf39 58 33.93 N 18 00 32.40 E39 58 34.15 N18 00 32.63 E8.6
MAg39 58 33.93 N18 00 32.40 E39 58 34.09 N18 00 32.59 E6.7
MAh39 58 33.93 N18 00 32.40 E39 58 34.10 N18 00 32.54 E6.0
MAi39 58 33.93 N18 00 32.40 E39 58 34.09 N18 00 32.52 E5.6
MAj39 58 33.93 N18 00 32.40 E39 58 34.15 N18 00 32.55 E7.5
MAk39 58 33.93 N18 00 32.40 E39 58 34.14 N18 00 32.50 E6.8
MAl39 58 33.93 N18 00 32.40 E39 58 34.12 N18 00 32.48 E6.1
MAm39 59 07.40 N18 00 08.71 E39 59 07.43 N18 00 08.73 E1.1
MAn39 59 07.40 N18 00 08.71 E39 59 07.43 N18 00 08.74 E1.3
MAoind.ind.39 59 07.57 N18 00 08.73 E-
Figure A3. Mancaversa stretch of coast: (a) The boulder MAa and its initial position (blue dashed line) taken from the coastline. (b) The seven boulder group MAf-l; note that the unaltered rocky surfaces suggest the overturning of the boulders. (c) The sandstone boulder MAc and the neighbour, likely contemporary, rockfall.
Figure A3. Mancaversa stretch of coast: (a) The boulder MAa and its initial position (blue dashed line) taken from the coastline. (b) The seven boulder group MAf-l; note that the unaltered rocky surfaces suggest the overturning of the boulders. (c) The sandstone boulder MAc and the neighbour, likely contemporary, rockfall.
Water 13 02426 g0a3
Table A8. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Mancaversa coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Table A8. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Mancaversa coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Boulder IDa [m]b [m]c [m] x i [m] x f [m]LiShFIPTSMT
MAa3.42.10.50.61.5CB5.50JBSL
MAb1.91.50.54.75.4CD3.40SASL
MAc1.31.10.42.14.1SD3.00SAOV
MAd0.90.80.4ind.11.9CD2.13SAind.
MAe2.30.80.5ind.10.4CB3.10SAind.
MAf1.20.50.45.28.8CP2.13SAST,OV
MAg1.40.70.35.24.6CB3.50SAST
MAh1.30.50.35.25.3CB3.00SAST,OV
MAi0.90.50.35.26.2CB2.33SAST,OV
MAj2.41.50.45.25.2CB4.88SAST,OV
MAk1.91.20.55.26.3CB3.10SAST,OV
MAl2.31.20.45.27.3CB4.38SAST,OV
MAm2.91.80.42.45.6CB5.88SASL
MAn1.81.50.53.35.5SD3.30SASL
MAo1.71.10.5ind.3.7CB2.80SAOV
The Figure 8a,b show the fine block SUa and the very coarse boulder SUl (according to [41] classification) and their socket.
The comparison between satellite images was decisive for the recognition of the SUa displacement (Figure A4).
Figure A4. Comparative satellite images of the boulder SUa (Torre Suda): (a) The July 2018 image (eye elevation of 40 m); the green circle highlights the initial position. (b) The June 2020 image (eye elevation of 40 m).
Figure A4. Comparative satellite images of the boulder SUa (Torre Suda): (a) The July 2018 image (eye elevation of 40 m); the green circle highlights the initial position. (b) The June 2020 image (eye elevation of 40 m).
Water 13 02426 g0a4
As mentioned in Section 4, the boulder SUi was displaced for a first time during the October 2018 storm. In Figure A5, SUi is shown after this storm (cf. Figure 7). To underline such a singular characteristic, its initial position and the distance from the cliff are in bold in Table A9 and Table A10.
Figure A5. The boulder SUi, onshore displaced by the October 2018 storm. It was later re-mobilized as confirmed by the June 2020 GE image, where the boulder is placed further inland.
Figure A5. The boulder SUi, onshore displaced by the October 2018 storm. It was later re-mobilized as confirmed by the June 2020 GE image, where the boulder is placed further inland.
Water 13 02426 g0a5
Table A9. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Torre Suda coast; ind., indeterminable.
Table A9. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Torre Suda coast; ind., indeterminable.
Initial Position Final Position
Boulder IDLatitudeLongitudeLatitudeLongitudeTD [m]
SUa39 57 06.44 N18 01 46.14 E39 57 06.71 N18 01 46.02 E8.9
SUbind.ind.39 57 08.03 N18 01 46.61 E-
SUcind.ind.39 57 08.08 N18 01 46.66 E-
SUd39 57 35.42 N18 01 37.61 Eind.ind.-
SUe39 57 36.70 N18 01 37.65 E39 57 36.72 N18 01 37.64 E0.7
SUf39 57 36.56 N18 01 37.82 E39 57 36.76 N18 01 37.89 E6.2
SUgind.ind.39 57 36.81 N18 01 37.86 E-
SUh39 57 38.82 N18 01 37.32 E39 57 38.95 N18 01 37.47 E5.2
SUi39 57 40.27 N 18 01 36.40 E39 57 40.60 N18 01 36.71 E12.7
SUj39 57 40.84 N18 01 36.25 E39 57 40.85 N18 01 36.26 E0.3
SUk39 57 40.87 N18 01 36.17 E39 57 40.87 N18 01 36.18 E0.2
SUl39 57 40.87 N18 01 36.05 E39 57 40.89 N18 01 36.03 E0.6
SUmind.ind.39 57 41.14 N18 01 36.06 E-
SUn39 57 40.74 N18 01 35.90 E39 57 41.26 N18 01 35.79 E16.1
Table A10. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Torre Suda coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Table A10. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Torre Suda coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Boulder IDa [m]b [m]c [m] x i [m] x f [m]LiShFIPTSMT
SUa5.44.61.90.00.0CD2.63SMSL
SUb1.80.80.5ind.22.5CB2.60SAST
SUc1.70.90.7ind.23.1CP1.86SAST
SUd4.93.21.80.0ind.CB2.25SMind.
SUe2.81.80.52.42.9CB4.60SASL
SUf2.31.90.73.46.7CD3.00SAST
SUg1.41.10.5ind.8.5CD2.50SMST
SUh1.91.30.72.26.7SD2.29SAST
SUi1.10.90.510.6 21.2CD2.00SASL
SUj1.61.00.43.33.8CB3.25SASL
SUk2.41.71.12.12.2CD1.86SASL
SUl3.82.80.90.00.0CD3.89SASL
SUm1.61.40.6ind.2.7CD2.50SAST
SUn2.21.90.80.00.0CD2.56SMSL
As far as it concerns the CAa,b,c, group and boulder CAd (Capilungo coast, Figure 9), the field evidence suggests that the contour of the whole surface was occupied before the displacement (Figure A6). The 20 July 2018 GE image, instead, allows the recognition of each initial position (Table A11 and Table A12).
Table A11. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Capilungo coast; ind., indeterminable.
Table A11. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Capilungo coast; ind., indeterminable.
Initial Position Final Position
Boulder IDLatitudeLongitudeLatitudeLongitudeTD [m]
CAa39 55 40.51 N18 02 56.23 E39 55 40.56 N18 02 56.26 E1.6
CAb39 55 40.55 N18 02 56.25 E39 55 40.60 N18 02 56.27 E1.8
CAc39 55 40.48 N18 02 56.22 E39 55 40.60 N18 02 56.20 E3.9
CAd39 55 40.52 N18 02 56.01 E39 55 40.56 N18 02 56.10 E2.5
CAe39 55 41.15 N18 02 55.35 E39 55 41.25 N18 02 55.36 E3.2
CAf39 55 41.62 N18 02 54.82 E39 55 41.66 N18 02 54.89 E1.9
Figure A6. Capilungo coast. The boulder CAd and the group CAa,b,c taken from the coastline; the area of the initial positions is marked by the blue dashed line. Compare with Figure 9.
Figure A6. Capilungo coast. The boulder CAd and the group CAa,b,c taken from the coastline; the area of the initial positions is marked by the blue dashed line. Compare with Figure 9.
Water 13 02426 g0a6
Table A12. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Capilungo coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Table A12. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Capilungo coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Boulder IDa [m]b [m]c [m] x i [m] x f [m]LiShFIPTSMT
CAa1.10.60.36.48.2CB2.83SAST
CAb1.51.30.57.99.6CD2.80SAST
CAc2.11.40.45.78.3CD4.38SAST
CAd2.62.40.93.96.7CD2.78SAOV
CAe1.81.60.64.75.6CD2.83SAOV
CAf2.61.90.53.35.4CD4.50SAOV
The last two surveyed sites (Ciardo and Torre Sant’Emiliano), although both with few boulders, are quite significant both for the lithology (limestone) and for the average height of the cliffs (2–3 m above the MSL). The transport of the four boulders in Figure A7 took place parallel to the coastline (SSE-NNW). Note the few altered surface of the sockets belonging to the CIa,b,c,d group. In the present study, the geometric centre of the overall detachment surface is considered as the initial position for this group (Table A13 and Table A14). Greater accuracy can be achieved, for example, by using drone photogrammetric surveys to attribute each boulders to the own socket.
Table A13. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Ciardo coast; ind., indeterminable.
Table A13. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Ciardo coast; ind., indeterminable.
Initial Position Final Position
Boulder IDLatitudeLongitudeLatitudeLongitudeTD [m]
CIa39 48 09.50 N 18 19 42.41 E39 48 09.51 N18 19 42.29 E2.8
CIb39 48 09.50 N18 19 42.41 E39 48 09.53 N18 19 42.35 E1.7
CIc39 48 09.50 N18 19 42.41 E39 48 09.58 N18 19 42.31 E3.3
CId39 48 09.50 N18 19 42.41 E39 48 09.55 N18 19 42.39 E1.6
CIe39 48 09.53 N18 19 42.20 Eind.ind.-
Figure A7. Ciardo coastal stretch. The boulders CIa, CIb, CIc, CId, and their sockets taken from the coastline.
Figure A7. Ciardo coastal stretch. The boulders CIa, CIb, CIc, CId, and their sockets taken from the coastline.
Water 13 02426 g0a7
Table A14. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Ciardo coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Table A14. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Ciardo coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Boulder IDa [m]b [m]c [m] x i [m] x f [m]LiShFIPTSMT
CIa1.00.80.55.23.5LD1.80JBST
CIb1.41.20.55.24.6LD2.60JBST
CIc2.21.40.55.25.0LB3.60SAST
CId1.90.90.75.25.9LP2.00JBST
CIe1.81.1ind.1.5ind.L--JBind.
The Ciardo and Torre Sant’Emiliano sites also have in common sockets clearly visible on GE (Figure A8). Scuba surveys are required to determine the post transport position of the boulders SEa,b (Figure A9).
Table A15. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Torre Sant’Emiliano coast; ind., indeterminable. TD = Transport Distance (m).
Table A15. Initial and final geographical coordinates of the displaced boulders at the Torre Sant’Emiliano coast; ind., indeterminable. TD = Transport Distance (m).
Initial Position Final Position
Boulder IDLatitudeLongitudeLatitudeLongitudeTD
SEa40 05 04.92 N18 29 34.75 Eind.ind.-
SEb40 05 05.02 N18 29 34.87 Eind.ind.-
Table A16. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Torre Sant’Emiliano coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Table A16. Main features of the displaced boulders at the Torre Sant’Emiliano coast; see the caption of Table A2 for symbols.
Boulder IDa [m]b [m]c [m] x i [m] x f [m]LiShFIPTSMT
SEa6.73.8ind.3.6ind.L--SAind.
SEb3.22.5ind.1.5ind.L--SAind.
Figure A8. Satellite images of sockets: (a) The June 2020 image of the sockets of the boulders CIa,b,c,d (eye elevation of 35 m). (b) The June 2020 image of the sockets of the boulders SEa,b (eye elevation of 35 m).
Figure A8. Satellite images of sockets: (a) The June 2020 image of the sockets of the boulders CIa,b,c,d (eye elevation of 35 m). (b) The June 2020 image of the sockets of the boulders SEa,b (eye elevation of 35 m).
Water 13 02426 g0a8
Figure A9. Torre Sant’Emiliano coast. The sockets of the boulders SEa and SEb are highlighted by the green dashed lines.
Figure A9. Torre Sant’Emiliano coast. The sockets of the boulders SEa and SEb are highlighted by the green dashed lines.
Water 13 02426 g0a9

Appendix B

TD measuring and testing made at the central area of the Punta Pizzo headland (Section 4.4) are briefly described in what follows. The example was chosen given the wide range of TD in this site. Taking into account the procedure shown in Figure 2, for five out of eight displaced boulders (PIg, PIh, PIj, PIm, and PIn), both the initial and final positions were recognized, and thus the TD was determined (Table A5). In Table A17, the difference between the measurements taken with the GE’s ruler tool (from the 28 June 2020 GE image) and the tape measure (during the field survey, Figure A10) are shown.
Table A17. Difference between the measurements taken with the GE’s ruler tool and the tape measure at the central area of Punta Pizzo headland.
Table A17. Difference between the measurements taken with the GE’s ruler tool and the tape measure at the central area of Punta Pizzo headland.
Boulder IDGE Ruler [m]Tape Measure [m]Deviation
PIg2.83.0−0.2
PIh14.313.90.4
PIj15.615.30.3
PIm0.60.6-
PIn0.70.8−0.1
Figure A10. Central area of Punta Pizzo headland, examples of TD ground control (cf. Figure 5). Top left the 28 June 2020 GE image; (a) The tape is 3 m long. (b,c) The tape is 1 m long.
Figure A10. Central area of Punta Pizzo headland, examples of TD ground control (cf. Figure 5). Top left the 28 June 2020 GE image; (a) The tape is 3 m long. (b,c) The tape is 1 m long.
Water 13 02426 g0a10
Similar results were obtained for all the sites herein considered. They are in agreement with the horizontal accuracy of GE images released in the last few years (see e.g., [66,67]). This leads to the conclusion that, within the study area, the TD measurements from the 28 June 2020 GE images are realistic.

Appendix C

The maps of the wind field at 10 m height for the storms described in Section 5 are shown below.
Figure A11. Map of the wind at 10 m height over the Mediterranean basin, as forecast for 29 October 2018 at 6 p.m. by the BOLAM model. The arrows indicate the wind direction and the wind speed is shown in the colour scale.
Figure A11. Map of the wind at 10 m height over the Mediterranean basin, as forecast for 29 October 2018 at 6 p.m. by the BOLAM model. The arrows indicate the wind direction and the wind speed is shown in the colour scale.
Water 13 02426 g0a11
Figure A12. Map of the wind at 10 m height over the Mediterranean basin, as forecast for 12 November 2019 at 6 a.m. by the BOLAM model. The arrows indicate the wind direction and the wind speed is shown in the colour scale.
Figure A12. Map of the wind at 10 m height over the Mediterranean basin, as forecast for 12 November 2019 at 6 a.m. by the BOLAM model. The arrows indicate the wind direction and the wind speed is shown in the colour scale.
Water 13 02426 g0a12
Figure A13. Map of the wind at 10 m height over the Mediterranean basin, as forecast for 24 November 2019 at 12 p.m. by the BOLAM model. The arrows indicate the wind direction and the wind speed is shown in the colour scale.
Figure A13. Map of the wind at 10 m height over the Mediterranean basin, as forecast for 24 November 2019 at 12 p.m. by the BOLAM model. The arrows indicate the wind direction and the wind speed is shown in the colour scale.
Water 13 02426 g0a13
Figure A14. Map of the wind at 10 m height over the Mediterranean basin, as forecast for 22 December 2019 at 9 a.m. by the BOLAM model. The arrows indicate the wind direction and the wind speed is shown in the colour scale.
Figure A14. Map of the wind at 10 m height over the Mediterranean basin, as forecast for 22 December 2019 at 9 a.m. by the BOLAM model. The arrows indicate the wind direction and the wind speed is shown in the colour scale.
Water 13 02426 g0a14
Figure A15. Map of the wind at 10 m height over the Mediterranean basin, as forecast for 2 March 2020 at 21 p.m. by the BOLAM model. The arrows indicate the wind direction and the wind speed is shown in the colour scale.
Figure A15. Map of the wind at 10 m height over the Mediterranean basin, as forecast for 2 March 2020 at 21 p.m. by the BOLAM model. The arrows indicate the wind direction and the wind speed is shown in the colour scale.
Water 13 02426 g0a15

Appendix D

The hydrodynamic equations of [21,48] have been used to calculate the theoretical minimum height H m required to initiate the transport for the identified boulders by a sea wave. According to [21], for joint-bounded and sub-aerial boulders transported by saltation, H m is, respectively:
H m = 2 c γ r / γ w 1 ( cos θ + μ sin θ ) C L
H m = 2 c γ r / γ w 1 cos θ C L
where γ r and γ w are the unit weights of rock and water, respectively, μ is the coefficient of static friction along rock surfaces, θ is the bed slope angle and C L is the lift coefficient. For sub-aerial boulders transported by sliding and by overturning, ref. [21] proposed, respectively:
H m = 2 c γ r / γ w 1 ( μ cos θ + sin θ ) C D ( c / b ) + ( μ C L )
H m = 2 c γ r / γ w 1 ( cos θ + ( c / b ) sin θ ) C D c 2 / b 2 + C L
where C D is the drag coefficient.
Using a similar theoretical analysis [48], proposed a diagnostic equation for the limit case of boulders terminating their movement. Under the assumption that the last part of the motion is a sliding with negligible lifting and floating, they found:
H m = 2 μ V γ r C D ( a c q ) γ w
where V is the boulder volume and q is a boulder area coefficient that estimates the projected base-area. Estimating also the volume V as V = abcq, which means the boulder height times projected base-area, Equation (A5) is equivalent to Equation (A3) with no floating, C L = 0 and θ = 0. We used Nandasena expressions (A1)–(A4) to test the starting condition for the boulder motion and expression (A5) to test the final condition. Literature data are used herein for the choice of the values of the coefficients in Equations (A3)–(A5); the selected values are: μ = 0.7, C L = 0.178, C D = 1.95, q = 0.73 [7,21,22,23,48,57]. The bed slope angle θ is assumed to be zero due to the flat morphology of the study area.
In addition, the following equation [50] was used to estimate the incident wave height decrease over the shore, say the effective wave height H impacting the boulder at a distance X from the shoreline:
H = [ ( R + H s H c ) 1 / 2 5 X / ( T g 1 / 2 ) ] 2
In this equation, T is the wave period, that can be estimated by Equation (1) X the distance from the coastline and g the gravity acceleration. The breaking wave height R was directly estimated as its minimum value H 0 from Equation (2) (see also Section 6), and the average coastline height above the mean sea level H c was corrected by the total sea level increase (storm surge + tide) H s (= 1.5 m, see also Section 6.3).
Table A18. Minimumwave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of Punta Prosciutto headland.
Table A18. Minimumwave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of Punta Prosciutto headland.
Nandasena et al. (2011) [21]Engel and May (2012) [48]
PRa3.61.2
PRb7.21.4
PRc4.51.7
PRd1.61.6
PRe1.11.5
PRf1.31.4
PRg1.3
PRh1.6
PRi3.61.8
PRj2.71.1
PRk3.61.8
PRl1.61.4
PRm1.11.1
PRn4.52.9
PRo3.61.6
PRp5.41.8
PRq5.41.7
PRr3.61.7
Table A19. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Torre Sant’Isidoro coast.
Table A19. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Torre Sant’Isidoro coast.
Nandasena et al. (2011) [21]Engel and May (2012) [48]
SIc0.72.0
SIf3.62.9
SIg2.01.8
Table A20. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Punta Pizzo headland.
Table A20. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Punta Pizzo headland.
Nandasena et al. (2011) [21]Engel and May (2012) [48]
PIa0.30.8
PIb0.51.3
PIc0.51.3
PId0.51.3
PIe0.41.2
PIf6.31.2
PIg1.71.7
PIh3.62.6
PIi1.1
PIj0.8
PIk0.81.0
PIl0.8
PIm0.72.0
PIn0.51.6
PIo0.30.7
PIp2.01.8
PIq0.8
PIr3.61.7
Table A21. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Mancaversa coast.
Table A21. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Mancaversa coast.
Nandasena et al. (2011) [21]Engel and May (2012) [48]
MAa4.52.5
MAb0.61.8
MAc1.51.5
MAd1.0
MAe1.0
MAf3.60.6
MAg2.70.8
MAh2.70.6
MAi2.70.6
MAj3.61.8
MAk4.51.4
MAl3.61.4
MAm0.72.2
MAn0.82.4
MAo1.41.3
Table A22. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Torre Suda coast.
Table A22. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Torre Suda coast.
Nandasena et al. (2011) [21]Engel and May (2012) [48]
SUa2.05.5
SUb4.51.0
SUc6.31.1
SUd3.8
SUe0.72.2
SUf4.52.3
SUg4.51.3
SUh7.91.7
SUi0.41.1
SUj0.41.2
SUk0.82.0
SUl1.23.4
SUm5.4.1.7
SUn0.82.3
Table A23. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Capilungo coast.
Table A23. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Capilungo coast.
Nandasena et al. (2011) [21]Engel and May (2012) [48]
CAa2.70.7
CAb4.51.6
CAc3.61.7
CAd3.22.9
CAe2.11.9
CAf2.62.3
Table A24. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Ciardo coast.
Table A24. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Ciardo coast.
Nandasena et al. (2011) [21]Engel and May (2012) [48]
CIa6.71.2
CIb6.71.8
CIc6.72.1
CId9.41.3
CIe1.6
Table A25. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Torre Sant’Emiliano coast.
Table A25. Minimum wave heights H m (m) required to displace the boulders of the Torre Sant’Emiliano coast.
Nandasena et al. (2011) [21]Engel and May (2012) [48]
SEa5.6
SEb3.7

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Figure 1. Simplified geological map of Southern Apulia: 1, Quaternary units (carbonates, marls, and bioclastic deposits); 2, Tertiary units (carbonates and marls); 3, Cretaceous units (limestones and dolostones). Other Symbols: 4, −10 m isobath; 5, −20 m isobath; 6, −50 m isobath; 7, previously known site; 8, new site. Isobaths from the nautical chart of “Istituto Idrografico della Marina Militare” of Italy (1:100,000).
Figure 1. Simplified geological map of Southern Apulia: 1, Quaternary units (carbonates, marls, and bioclastic deposits); 2, Tertiary units (carbonates and marls); 3, Cretaceous units (limestones and dolostones). Other Symbols: 4, −10 m isobath; 5, −20 m isobath; 6, −50 m isobath; 7, previously known site; 8, new site. Isobaths from the nautical chart of “Istituto Idrografico della Marina Militare” of Italy (1:100,000).
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Figure 2. Flowchart explaining TD measuring and testing.
Figure 2. Flowchart explaining TD measuring and testing.
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Figure 3. Comparative satellite images of Punta Prosciutto. The initial positions of the boulders are highlighted in blue, the final ones in red, and sockets are green. Red arrows highlight the displacements. Topography from the technical map of Lecce Province (1:5000).
Figure 3. Comparative satellite images of Punta Prosciutto. The initial positions of the boulders are highlighted in blue, the final ones in red, and sockets are green. Red arrows highlight the displacements. Topography from the technical map of Lecce Province (1:5000).
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Figure 4. Two main boulder clusters of Punta Prosciutto headland: (a) Four imbricated boulders arranged in the SW-NE direction. (b) Group of closely spaced boulders that includes the largest (PRn) of this stretch of coast.
Figure 4. Two main boulder clusters of Punta Prosciutto headland: (a) Four imbricated boulders arranged in the SW-NE direction. (b) Group of closely spaced boulders that includes the largest (PRn) of this stretch of coast.
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Figure 5. Comparative satellite images of Punta Pizzo. The initial positions of the boulders are highlighted in blue, the final ones in red, and the sockets are green. Red arrows highlight the displacements. Topography from the technical map of Lecce Province (1:5000).
Figure 5. Comparative satellite images of Punta Pizzo. The initial positions of the boulders are highlighted in blue, the final ones in red, and the sockets are green. Red arrows highlight the displacements. Topography from the technical map of Lecce Province (1:5000).
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Figure 6. Comparative satellite images of Mancaversa. The initial positions of the boulders are highlighted in blue, the final ones in red; a rockfall are white. Red arrows highlight the displacements. Topography from the technical map of Lecce Province (1:5000).
Figure 6. Comparative satellite images of Mancaversa. The initial positions of the boulders are highlighted in blue, the final ones in red; a rockfall are white. Red arrows highlight the displacements. Topography from the technical map of Lecce Province (1:5000).
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Figure 7. Comparative satellite images of Torre Suda. The initial positions of the boulders are highlighted in blue, the final ones in red, and the sockets are green. Red arrows highlight the displacements. In the June 2020 image, the boulder SUi as transported by the October 2018 storm is reported (in dark). Topography from the technical map of Lecce Province (1:5000).
Figure 7. Comparative satellite images of Torre Suda. The initial positions of the boulders are highlighted in blue, the final ones in red, and the sockets are green. Red arrows highlight the displacements. In the June 2020 image, the boulder SUi as transported by the October 2018 storm is reported (in dark). Topography from the technical map of Lecce Province (1:5000).
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Figure 8. Torre Suda coastal stretch: (a) the largest boulder SUa and its socket taken from S. (b) The boulders SUj,k,l taken from N; the portion of SUl’s socket exposed by the displacement is highlighted in green.
Figure 8. Torre Suda coastal stretch: (a) the largest boulder SUa and its socket taken from S. (b) The boulders SUj,k,l taken from N; the portion of SUl’s socket exposed by the displacement is highlighted in green.
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Figure 9. Comparative satellite images of Capilungo. The initial positions of the boulders are highlighted in blue, and the final ones in red. Red arrows highlight the displacements. Topography from the technical map of Lecce Province (1:5000).
Figure 9. Comparative satellite images of Capilungo. The initial positions of the boulders are highlighted in blue, and the final ones in red. Red arrows highlight the displacements. Topography from the technical map of Lecce Province (1:5000).
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Figure 10. Flatness Index (FI) vs. Transport Distance (TD) diagram. Symbol size is related to the clast size (small = coarse boulder, medium = very coarse boulder, large = fine block). The solid blue line and the dashed blue line encloses the areas of highest incidence for very coarse and coarse boulders, respectively.
Figure 10. Flatness Index (FI) vs. Transport Distance (TD) diagram. Symbol size is related to the clast size (small = coarse boulder, medium = very coarse boulder, large = fine block). The solid blue line and the dashed blue line encloses the areas of highest incidence for very coarse and coarse boulders, respectively.
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Figure 11. Final distance ( x f ) vs. Transport Distance (TD) diagram. Symbol size is related to the clast size (small = coarse boulder, medium = very coarse boulder, and large = fine block).
Figure 11. Final distance ( x f ) vs. Transport Distance (TD) diagram. Symbol size is related to the clast size (small = coarse boulder, medium = very coarse boulder, and large = fine block).
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Figure 12. Comparison between the calculated onshore wave height H (lines) and the minimum wave height required to move the boulders H m (circles) as a function of the distance X from the coastline and the coast height H c (colours) for different storm spectral peak waves H 0 . Continuous line: Wave height as a function of the onshore distance calculated by Equation (A6), with T estimated by Equation (1), for the 12–13 November 2019 storm ( H 0 = 9.0 m, H s = 1.5 m). Black: H c = 0.5 m, Red: H c = 1.5 m, and Blue: H c = 2.5 m. Dashed line: same as the continuous line but refers to the October 2018 storm ( H 0 = 7.5 m, H s = 1.5 m). Dot-dashed line: Wave height as a function of the onshore distance calculated by Equation (A6) for H 0 = 4.5 m and H c = 0.5 m. Filled circles: H m calculated by Equations (A1)–(A4) as a function of the initial onshore distance X of the boulder and the coast height (colours as above). Empty circles: H m calculated by Equation (A5) as a function of the final onshore distance X of the boulder and the coast height (colours as above).
Figure 12. Comparison between the calculated onshore wave height H (lines) and the minimum wave height required to move the boulders H m (circles) as a function of the distance X from the coastline and the coast height H c (colours) for different storm spectral peak waves H 0 . Continuous line: Wave height as a function of the onshore distance calculated by Equation (A6), with T estimated by Equation (1), for the 12–13 November 2019 storm ( H 0 = 9.0 m, H s = 1.5 m). Black: H c = 0.5 m, Red: H c = 1.5 m, and Blue: H c = 2.5 m. Dashed line: same as the continuous line but refers to the October 2018 storm ( H 0 = 7.5 m, H s = 1.5 m). Dot-dashed line: Wave height as a function of the onshore distance calculated by Equation (A6) for H 0 = 4.5 m and H c = 0.5 m. Filled circles: H m calculated by Equations (A1)–(A4) as a function of the initial onshore distance X of the boulder and the coast height (colours as above). Empty circles: H m calculated by Equation (A5) as a function of the final onshore distance X of the boulder and the coast height (colours as above).
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Table 1. Acronym code (ID Code), number of identified Boulders, and number of measured Transport Distances (No. of TD).
Table 1. Acronym code (ID Code), number of identified Boulders, and number of measured Transport Distances (No. of TD).
Site NameID CodeBouldersNo. of TD
Punta ProsciuttoPR1813
Sant’IsidoroSI32
Punta PizzoPI1813
MancaversaMA1512
Torre SudaSU149
CapilungoCA66
CiardoCI54
Sant’EmilianoSE2-
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Delle Rose, M.; Martano, P.; Orlanducci, L. Coastal Boulder Dynamics Inferred from Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery, Geological and Meteorological Investigations in Southern Apulia, Italy. Water 2021, 13, 2426. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13172426

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Delle Rose M, Martano P, Orlanducci L. Coastal Boulder Dynamics Inferred from Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery, Geological and Meteorological Investigations in Southern Apulia, Italy. Water. 2021; 13(17):2426. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13172426

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Delle Rose, Marco, Paolo Martano, and Luca Orlanducci. 2021. "Coastal Boulder Dynamics Inferred from Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery, Geological and Meteorological Investigations in Southern Apulia, Italy" Water 13, no. 17: 2426. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13172426

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