How volcanic stratigraphy constrains headscarp collapse scenarios: the Samperre cliff case study (Martinique island, Lesser Antilles)

Recurrent gravitational instabilities at the Samperre cliff on Martinique's Mount Pelée threaten populations and infrastructure, with potential unstable volumes estimated between 3.5 × 10⁶ m³ and 8.3 × 10⁶ m³. This study demonstrates that destabilizations may be linked to the reopening of a paleo-valley filled by pyroclastic materials, offering critical insights for hazard assessment in volcanic contexts. Researchers used remote observations—including ortho-photographs, aerial views, and topographic surveys—to characterize geological units, identify stable and unstable masses, infer paleo-morphology, and estimate mobilizable volumes. The findings highlight the importance of stratigraphic analysis in constraining headscarp collapse scenarios, particularly in steep, inaccessible volcanic landscapes where traditional data acquisition is challenging.

Peruzzetto, M., Legendre, Y., Nachbaur, A., Dewez, T. J. B., Thiery, Y., Levy, C., & Vittecoq, B. (2022). How volcanic stratigraphy constrains headscarp collapse scenarios: the Samperre cliff case study (Martinique island, Lesser Antilles). Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 22(12), 3973–3992. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-3973-2022