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Rockfall Analysis for Preliminary Hazard Assessment of the Cliff of Taormina Saracen Castle (Sicily)

Author

Listed:
  • Simone Mineo

    (Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95129 Catania, Italy)

  • Giovanna Pappalardo

    (Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95129 Catania, Italy)

  • Michele Mangiameli

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 54, 95125 Catania, Italy)

  • Santo Campolo

    (Regione Siciliana—Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity, Viale Boccetta 38, 98100 Messina, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Mussumeci

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 54, 95125 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

A rockfall analysis at one of the most relevant cultural heritage sites of northeastern Sicily (Italy) is presented herein with the aim of assessing the hazard arising from the unstable conditions of the rock cliff of Taormina city, upon which the Saracen Castle is perched on its top. Several rockfalls affected this area in the latest years, representing a serious threat for the safety of inhabitants and tourists. Therefore, the qualitative Evolving Rockfall Hazard Assessment (ERHA) was applied for the hazard zonation, supported by rock mass surveys and Terrestrial Laser Scanner prospecting. Kinematic analysis revealed that the unstable rock failure patterns are represented by planar/wedge sliding and toppling, while simulation of potential rockfalls allowed studying the impact of future events in terms of trajectory and energy. This is higher at the foot of scarps and in steeper sectors, where the application of ERHA identified a critical zone close to the inhabited center, which is one of the main elements at risk, along with a pedestrian tourist path. Achieved results represent a starting point for the definition of risk management strategies and provide a scientific contribution to the study of hazard and risk arising from rockfall occurrence.

Suggested Citation

  • Simone Mineo & Giovanna Pappalardo & Michele Mangiameli & Santo Campolo & Giuseppe Mussumeci, 2018. "Rockfall Analysis for Preliminary Hazard Assessment of the Cliff of Taormina Saracen Castle (Sicily)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:2:p:417-:d:130447
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Claudia Mignelli & Stefano Russo & Daniele Peila, 2012. "ROckfall risk MAnagement assessment: the RO.MA. approach," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 62(3), pages 1109-1123, July.
    2. Fabio Matano & Sabato Iuliano & Renato Somma & Ermanno Marino & Umberto del Vecchio & Giuseppe Esposito & Flavia Molisso & Germana Scepi & Giuseppe Maria Grimaldi & Antonio Pignalosa & Teresa Caputo &, 2016. "Geostructure of Coroglio tuff cliff, Naples (Italy) derived from terrestrial laser scanner data," Journal of Maps, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(3), pages 407-421, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhong-Min Ji & Tian-Li Chen & Fa-Quan Wu & Zhen-Hua Li & Qing-He Niu & Ke-Yi Wang, 2023. "Assessment and prevention on the potential rockfall hazard of high-steep rock slope: a case study of Zhongyuntai mountain in Lianyungang, China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 115(3), pages 2117-2139, February.
    2. Simone Mineo & Giovanna Pappalardo, 2019. "Sustainable Fruition of Cultural Heritage in Areas Affected by Rockfalls," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Simone Mineo & Giovanna Pappalardo & Salvatore Onorato, 2021. "Geomechanical Characterization of a Rock Cliff Hosting a Cultural Heritage through Ground and UAV Rock Mass Surveys for Its Sustainable Fruition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Sajid Ali & Rashid Haider & Wahid Abbas & Muhammad Basharat & Klaus Reicherter, 2021. "Empirical assessment of rockfall and debris flow risk along the Karakoram Highway, Pakistan," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 106(3), pages 2437-2460, April.
    5. Giovanna Pappalardo & Simone Mineo & Serafina Carbone & Carmelo Monaco & Domenico Catalano & Giovanni Signorello, 2021. "Preliminary Recognition of Geohazards at the Natural Reserve “Lachea Islet and Cyclop Rocks” (Southern Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-14, January.

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