Monitoring cultural heritage sites affected by geohazards

Abstract

Currently, assessing geo-hazards in cultural heritage sites takes place after the geo-hazard has occurred. The long-term vulnerability of cultural heritage is commonly focused on the site itself, in response to environmental risks, without fully considering or understanding the entire geological and geotechnical context. However, the high costs of maintenance of cultural heritage sites directly enforce the prioritisation of the monitoring and conservation policies to ensure sustainable conservation. Monitoring the deformation of structures as well as their surroundings facilitates the early recognition of potential risks and enables effective conservation planning. This paper will present the results of the case study of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Choirokoitia, Cyprus, where long-term low-impact monitoring systems such as UAVs and geodetic techniques were used to monitor and assess the risk from natural hazards on the archaeological site to evaluate potential geo-hazards.

How Image Acquisition Geometry of UAV Campaigns Affects the Derived Products and Their Accuracy in Areas with Complex Geomorphology

“…An intergraded approach for precise landslide mapping and monitoring was implemented for a four-year period, containing more than twenty UAV photogrammetric surveys and aiming at the evaluation of the landslide activity [17]. Moreover, a study of cultural heritage sites affected by geo-hazards utilized UAVs and photogrammetry to create orthophotos and 3D models in order to identify areas sensitive to natural hazards [18,19].…”

Generation of high quality 3D models of a monastery located in Western Greece

“…So far, several cultural heritage sites around the world have been mapped, documented or monitored using UAVs 12,13,14,15,16,17 . At the same time, some researchers focused on assessing geohazards and surface deformation at cultural heritage sites in order to develop effective conservation plans using UAV imagery 18,19 . However the majority of studies focuses on deriving 3D models of cultural monuments or building elements 20,21,22,23 .…”

Innovations in geomatics teaching during the COVID-19 emergency

“…As widely known, Geomatics is the discipline that deals with survey, monitoring, and analysis of the natural and built environments from the metric and thematic points of view. Geomatics aims to provide a correct knowledge of the territory and environment; therefore, it is required in many circumstances: various surveying techniques and methodologies can be applied for detailed surveying of the position of objects, like technological networks or vehicles (Marzocchi et al 2017 ; Cristodaro et al 2019 ; Gonzalez and Dabove 2019 ; Leppälä et al 2019 ); for the production of cartography of territorially extended areas; for the monitoring of structures, infrastructures, and/or the natural environment (Bovolenta et al 2017 ; Minghini et al 2017 ; Gagliolo et al 2018 ; Themistocleus and Danezis 2018 ; Gagliolo et al 2019 ; Gobbi et al 2019 ; Barrile et al 2020 ; Campos et al 2021 ; Ferrando et al 2021 ; Vaccaro et al 2021 ); but also for innovative applications (Ferrando et al 2018 ; Dabove et al 2019 ; Piazza et al 2019 ; Di Pietra et al 2020 ; Rossi et al 2020 ; Benvenuto et al 2021 ). The instruments vary from traditional topographic methodologies to GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning and from photogrammetry, also using UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), to laser scanner technology.…”