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Seismic Stability Assessment of Volcanic Slopes: A Case Study from São Miguel Island, Azores.

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Title: Seismic Stability Assessment of Volcanic Slopes: A Case Study from São Miguel Island, Azores.
Authors: Fernández, Fabricio1 (AUTHOR), Oliveira, Carlos S.2 (AUTHOR), Vargas, Eurípedes3 (AUTHOR), Sousa, Luis Ribeiroe4 (AUTHOR), Malheiro, Ana5 (AUTHOR), Chen, Xuejian6 (AUTHOR), Amaral, Paulo5 (AUTHOR), Moniz, Letícia5 (AUTHOR), Sousa, Rita L.6 (AUTHOR) rita.sousa@nyu.edu
Source: Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering. Oct2025, Vol. 58 Issue 10, p11475-11500. 26p.
Subjects: Slope stability, Material point method, Volcanology, Hazard mitigation, Landslide hazard analysis, Landslides, Hazards, Volcanic ash, tuff, etc.
Geographic Terms: Azores, São Miguel Island (Azores)
Abstract: The Azores Archipelago, prone to multiple geohazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and extreme weather events, faces significant risks of landslides, particularly due to the complex geological characteristics of its volcanic formations. This study focuses on assessing the seismic stability of a slope near Porto Formoso on São Miguel Island, composed of trachytic volcanic rock overlain by a loose pumice deposit. Using the Volcanic Rock Stability (VRS) empirical system, tailored for volcanic rock environments, this study provides a geotechnical evaluation that considers the unique heterogeneities of these formations. The VRS system's application yielded classifications ranging from Class III (Reasonable) to Class IV (Regular), reflecting varying degrees of stability under seismic conditions. A 3D numerical model, using the Material Point Method (MPM), was developed to simulate the slope's behavior under seismic loading as defined by Portuguese regulations. The analysis identified a Factor of Safety (FS) of 3.85, indicating stability under the specified conditions but highlighted potential risks under more extreme seismic events. A run-out analysis further indicated that slope failure could result in significant material deposition, potentially obstructing critical access routes and posing risks to local infrastructure. These results underscore the need for targeted mitigation strategies to enhance the resilience of volcanic slopes in seismic-prone regions. Highlights: A 3D Material Point Method model was used to simulate the seismic behavior of volcanic slopes, effectively capturing large-scale deformations under seismic loading. Customized stability evaluation using the Volcanic Rock Stability (VRS) system. The research revealed differences between VRS and traditional RMR systems, stressing the need for specialized assessments for volcanic terrains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Seismic Stability Assessment of Volcanic Slopes: A Case Study from São Miguel Island, Azores.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fernández%2C+Fabricio%22">Fernández, Fabricio</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Oliveira%2C+Carlos+S%2E%22">Oliveira, Carlos S.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vargas%2C+Eurípedes%22">Vargas, Eurípedes</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sousa%2C+Luis+Ribeiroe%22">Sousa, Luis Ribeiroe</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Malheiro%2C+Ana%22">Malheiro, Ana</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chen%2C+Xuejian%22">Chen, Xuejian</searchLink><relatesTo>6</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amaral%2C+Paulo%22">Amaral, Paulo</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Moniz%2C+Letícia%22">Moniz, Letícia</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sousa%2C+Rita+L%2E%22">Sousa, Rita L.</searchLink><relatesTo>6</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> rita.sousa@nyu.edu</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Rock+Mechanics+%26+Rock+Engineering%22">Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering</searchLink>. Oct2025, Vol. 58 Issue 10, p11475-11500. 26p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Slope+stability%22">Slope stability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Material+point+method%22">Material point method</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Volcanology%22">Volcanology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hazard+mitigation%22">Hazard mitigation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Landslide+hazard+analysis%22">Landslide hazard analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Landslides%22">Landslides</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hazards%22">Hazards</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Volcanic+ash%2C+tuff%2C+etc%2E%22">Volcanic ash, tuff, etc.</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Azores%22">Azores</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22São+Miguel+Island+%28Azores%29%22">São Miguel Island (Azores)</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The Azores Archipelago, prone to multiple geohazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and extreme weather events, faces significant risks of landslides, particularly due to the complex geological characteristics of its volcanic formations. This study focuses on assessing the seismic stability of a slope near Porto Formoso on São Miguel Island, composed of trachytic volcanic rock overlain by a loose pumice deposit. Using the Volcanic Rock Stability (VRS) empirical system, tailored for volcanic rock environments, this study provides a geotechnical evaluation that considers the unique heterogeneities of these formations. The VRS system's application yielded classifications ranging from Class III (Reasonable) to Class IV (Regular), reflecting varying degrees of stability under seismic conditions. A 3D numerical model, using the Material Point Method (MPM), was developed to simulate the slope's behavior under seismic loading as defined by Portuguese regulations. The analysis identified a Factor of Safety (FS) of 3.85, indicating stability under the specified conditions but highlighted potential risks under more extreme seismic events. A run-out analysis further indicated that slope failure could result in significant material deposition, potentially obstructing critical access routes and posing risks to local infrastructure. These results underscore the need for targeted mitigation strategies to enhance the resilience of volcanic slopes in seismic-prone regions. Highlights: A 3D Material Point Method model was used to simulate the seismic behavior of volcanic slopes, effectively capturing large-scale deformations under seismic loading. Customized stability evaluation using the Volcanic Rock Stability (VRS) system. The research revealed differences between VRS and traditional RMR systems, stressing the need for specialized assessments for volcanic terrains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1007/s00603-025-04404-z
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 26
        StartPage: 11475
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Slope stability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Material point method
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Volcanology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hazard mitigation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Landslide hazard analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Landslides
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      – SubjectFull: Hazards
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      – SubjectFull: Volcanic ash, tuff, etc.
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      – SubjectFull: Azores
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      – SubjectFull: São Miguel Island (Azores)
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              Text: Oct2025
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