This paper deals with a geophysical survey carried out in some critical urban areas of the historical city of Matera (Southern Italy). Matera has a very complex shallower stratigraphy characterized by both anthropic and natural “targets” and is affected by geological instability. Therefore, Matera represents an ideal and very challenging outdoor laboratory for testing novel approaches for near-surface explorations in urban areas. Here, we present the results of a near-surface survey carried out by jointly applying Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) methods. The survey was implemented in three different critical zones within the urban area of Matera (Piazza Duomo, Piazza San Giovanni, Villa dell’Unità d’Italia). These test sites are of great interest for archaeological and architectonical studies and are affected by ground instability phenomena due to the presence of voids, cavities and other anthropic structures. The effectiveness of the survey was enhanced by the exploitation of advanced 3D tomographic approaches, which allowed to achieve 3D representation of the investigated underground and obtain information in terms of both the location and the geometry of buried objects and structures and the characterization of shallow geological layers. The results of the surveys are now under study (or have attracted the interest) of the Municipality in order to support smart cities programs and activities for a better management of the underground space.

Italy is one of the European countries most affected by landslides. In order to mitigate the risk, the analysis of such phenomena should involve a broad spectrum of studies to understand the geological and geomorphological properties of the unstable areas, the geometric features of the landslides and the causes of their trigger, the evolution over time, and the works of risk mitigation taken as well as their effectiveness over time. This article is concerned with multidisciplinary investigations on a historical earth flow occurred in Montemurro (Basilicata, Southern Italy) in 1907. We analyse unpublished archive sources strictly coupled with new geological and geomorphological surveys. Furthermore, to gain information on the geometrical features of the landslide body, geophysical prospections (ERT) is used alongside the field surveys. Lastly, to gain insight on the landslide triggering factors, we employed historical–climatological analysis: in particular, we made use of the monthly simple daily intensity index (SDII) to evaluate extreme events and the standardised precipitation index (SPI) to consider previous wetness conditions. The earth flow was triggered on 26 February 1907 and the main movement lasted about one week, involving several buildings, including those of cultural interest. Historical documentary investigations and historical climatological analysis both indicate that the earth flow was triggered by a preceding heavy rain period, which independent historical sources suggest also caused the activation of landslides over a wider area around Montemurro. Currently, the earth flow is NE–SW oriented, extends for a length of ~1.1 km, and has an average width of ~220 m. The landslide is in a dormant activity phase. From a methodological point of view, the research stresses the importance of integrated approaches to investigate natural hazards, particularly by the use of historical data. This research may be of interest to academics, practitioners, and policymakers for both the methodological approach followed and results gained, useful in view of both risk mitigation and territorial planning of landslide-prone areas.

This paper reports the results of a geoelectrical survey carried out to investigate the Montaguto earth-flow, located in the southern Apennines (Campania Region, southern Italy). The aim of the survey was to reconstruct the geometry of the landslide body, to improve the knowledge on the geological setting and to indirectly test the effectiveness of a drainage system. Although electrical resistivity contrasts in the electrical images were not very pronounced, due to the lithological characteristic of the outcropping lithotypes, it was possible to observe the presence of both lateral and vertical discontinuities that were associated with lithological boundaries, physical variation of the same material and sliding surfaces. The geoelectrical information obtained was provided to the Italian National Civil Protection Department technicians and was considered for the planning of more appropriate actions for the stabilization and safety of the slide.

To address this gap, geological and geomorphological surveys were integrated with Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (H/V) analyses of ambient seismic noise and earthquake recordings. The combined dataset constrains both the internal architecture and the dynamic response of the landslide body. ERT imaging identifies a resistivity discontinuity at approximately 20–30 m depth, while H/V analysis reveals a consistent seismic impedance contrast at comparable depths, interpreted as a lithological boundary within the unstable mass rather than the sliding surface. Within the landslide, H/V results show a spatially variable response. Along the longitudinal axis, spectral signatures are consistent with quasi-one-dimensional resonance conditions, enabling simplified inversion and depth estimation. Toward the margins, broadened and asymmetric peaks, coupled with pronounced azimuthal dependence, indicate multidimensional effects related to lateral heterogeneity, structural disruption, and geomorphological control. Azimuthal analysis further highlights a partial geometric correspondence between preferred vibration directions, slope morphology, and previously documented displacement vectors. The identified resonance frequencies (2–4 Hz) fall within the range commonly reported for low- to mid-rise masonry buildings in similar geological contexts. Although no direct measurements of structural response were performed, this correspondence suggests that possible soil–structure interaction effects may warrant further investigation. Overall, the results demonstrate that non-invasive geophysical methods provide a consistent framework for characterizing the subsurface and dynamic behaviour of urban landslides, supporting improved multi-hazard assessment and risk-informed planning in complex Apennine settings.