INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Hydrographic networks evolve until they reach a state of equilibrium with the climatic, geological-structural, and geomorphological characteristics of the territory in which they are established and developed.

This equilibrium is precarious, and evolutionary processes resume when one or more of the aforementioned variables change.

During the evolutionary phase or adaptation to new climatic, geomorphological, and/or geological-structural conditions, the transformation processes of the hydrographic network interact with other morphogenetic processes and with exposed assets, triggering new conditions of hazard and risk, thereby causing damage.

In this context, it is hypothesized that the state of precarious equilibrium is also recognizable from the geometric layout assumed by the hydrographic network, particularly its arrangement along the vertical direction or elevation.

In other words, it is hypothesized that this state of precarious equilibrium can be identified by a characteristic curve of the basin called the FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION CURVE (FDC).

Finally, it is assumed that the considerations to be made will remain valid for basins and networks of all sizes or, in general, as long as water obeys only the law of gravity, i.e., as long as the water is gravitational.

In the proposed project, an initial evaluation is made of the compatibility between the layout of the hydrographic network and the POTENTIAL ENERGY PROFILE assumed by the surface runoff waters.

This comparison provides indications of the evolutionary trends of the hydrography in a three-dimensional geographical context.

Specifically, it is possible to identify the ACTIVE portion of the hydrographic network engaged in EROSIVE PROCESSES, as well as the DIRECTION and SENSE of their propagation within a defined territorial context.

This territorial context consists of an altimetric band that can be defined by considering some peculiar aspects of the examined territory and also the layout of the hydrographic network along the elevation.