Monte Baldo’s Geological and Environmental Risks Explored
Geological Features and Risks
“Monte Baldo is a karst mountain, rising more than 2000 meters, characterized by large relief changes over short distances and steep slopes,” Castellacelo explained.
“Formed during the Mesozoic era, it is mainly composed of compact, stratified limestone and dolomitic rocks, which makes some slopes unstable and leads to landslides and collapses.”
Some of the greatest collapse risks are found along large erosion scarps in Valdadige, in the Vajo dell’Orsa in Ferrara, but also on Monte Moscai, at Rocca di Garda, in San Vigilie, and on the Senglo Rosso.
“These are areas considered geologically active, where the risk involves the detachment of large blocks, which are the most dangerous because they are the hardest to predict.”
On the lake side, there are also the so-called cataclinal valleys and cycles that reach down into the water. Here, landslides are caused by large blocks breaking off and sliding over underlying strata, eventually sinking into Lake Garda. Along their path, these blocks carry with them everything they encounter. Some of these areas, such as the Marocche overlooking Pai and Cassone, seem quiescent, but geologists consider them active zones that require monitoring due to latent danger.
Hydraulic and Environmental Risks
The same applies to water.
“Monte Baldo is crossed by streams and torrents that, during exceptional rainfall events, can cause overflows, flooding, and landslides.” An example is the Tasso torrent, which overflowed in 1966 and again in October 1992. The 1992 flood also affected the Tesina torrent, which flows from Castione into the lake passing through Garda.”
“Within the town, the watercourse was narrowed for urban planning reasons. In 1992, the heavy rainfall caused an increase in the torrent’s flow, which overflowed, causing embankment collapses and soil scouring.”
The high lake area features valleys such as the Val del Zocco, Val Sandolino, Val Trovaj, and Perara, which carve into and discharge onto the shoreline. When rainfall is heavy, flooding phenomena may occur here as well, with overflows and downstream transport of debris. An example is the 1963 event at Piaghen di Torri, which inundated a campsite and caused two deaths.
Prevention and Environmental Protection
“The only way to prevent these events is to recognize that they are cyclical, recurring even across generations, and therefore to avoid building in flood- or landslide-prone areas.”
“That Monte Baldo is environmentally sensitive is demonstrated by the fact that its planning primarily aims to protect the environment,” explained urban planner Giacomo Sandri.
“Areas of particular interest include the Monte Baldo regional natural park, the Monte Baldo integral reserve, Monte Luppia, Moscai, San Vigilie, and the high lake. The Rivoli moraine amphitheater area falls within the zones of maximum protection.”
“All these regions have plans for environmental enhancement or area plans, which do not impose restrictions but offer development opportunities compatible with the environment, such as cycling paths.”
