History of 1963 Vaiont Slide. The importance of the geological factors

In view of the length of time that has elapsed since the 1963 Vaiont landslide and the recent renewed interest in this complex phenomenon, it was decided to look back over its history through unpublished documents and pictures of that period (1958–1963). Particular attention was paid to the geological and geomorphological features in order to explain how, since 1959, an ancient landslide has been identified on the left side of the Vaiont valley. The Vaiont landslide has been the subject of much research and discussion and as more than 30 years later many questions are still open, it is a source of stimulus for many researchers. The paper considers the main interpretative studies undertaken to date and proposes an hypothesis of what may really have happened.