Vulnerability assessment of archaeological sites to earthquake hazard: An indicator based method integrating spatial and temporal aspects

Abstract

Across the world, numerous sites of cultural heritage value are at risk from a variety of human-induced and natural hazards such as war and earthquakes. Here we present and test a novel indicator-based method for assessing the vulnerability of archaeological sites to earthquakes. Vulnerability is approached as a dynamic element assessed through a combination of spatial and temporal parameters. The spatial parameters examine the susceptibility of the sites to the secondary Earthquake Environmental Effects of ground liquefaction, landslides and tsunami and are expressed through the Spatial Susceptibility Index (SSi). Parameters of physical vulnerability, economic importance and visitors density examine the temporal vulnerability of the sites expressed through the Temporal Vulnerability Index (TVi). The equally weighted sum of the spatial and temporal indexes represents the total Archaeological Site Vulnerability Index (A.S.V.I.). The A.S.V.I method is applied at 16 archaeological sites across Greece, allowing an assessment of their vulnerability. This then allows the establishment of a regional and national priority list for considering future risk mitigation. Results indicate that i) the majority of the sites have low to moderate vulnerability to earthquake hazard, ii) Neratzia Fortress on

Considerations of the Impact of Seismic Strong Ground Motions in Northern Oltenia (Romania) on Some Indicators of Sustainable Development Characterization of the Region from a Security Perspective

“…The manifestations of seismic strong ground motions and their disastrous consequences (material damage) produce unwanted effects on the quality of life of the population in the affected regions [24][25][26]. Specialized studies also highlight the negative consequences of seismic strong ground motions on the economic [27,28], tourism [29,30], and cultural [31,32] potential of the areas of manifestation.…”

Indicators in risk management: Are they a user-friendly interface between natural hazards and societal responses? Challenges and opportunities after UN Sendai conference in 2015

“…If we look at the sample of 33 articles on indicators, there are 9 reviews and 24 case studies. However, among those case studies there are only two studies that actually included fieldwork on terrain (Greece [17] and Romania [18]), and three studies whose fieldwork was in the form of practical workshop with different managers and experts (Australia [23], USA [30], West Africa [37]). The other case studies were focused on a theoretical approach by using indicators in risk management, like statistical analysis of the available data and modeling.…”

“…There are three indicator studies that have their objective to research about temporal phases of disaster. A case study from Thailand [33] created a new disaster resilience index to better understand pre-disaster conditions, the Greek case study [17] worked on pre-disaster and disaster part of the disaster cycle, which is of importance for the cultural heritage management, and the Australian review offered a new outline in all three temporal phases for better social resilience [23].…”

“…Merging of field studies based on natural and social variables [ex. 17,18], and of fieldwork based on participative approach [ex. 23,37] will result in better contextualization of indicators, with a developed interdisciplinary language between the natural and social sciences.…”

Pathologic and Risk Analysis of the Lojuela Castle (Granada-Spain): Methodology and Preventive Conservation for Medieval Earthen Fortifications

“…Actions within the framework of preventive conservation [40] imply the definition of an effective and systematic methodology to identify [38], evaluate and control the threats that affect all cultural assets [41][42][43][44][45][46]. The aim of these actions is to minimize these threats [47][48][49][50], thanks to the evaluation of their degree of impact on the effects of deterioration and the development of appropriate measures to avoid or, at least, slow down their negative effects [39,51].…”