Historic churches of Naples are at risk from sinkholes
Researchers have identified nine buildings that require a “quick response” and a further 57 places of worship that could suffer from future cavity collapses.
Many of the historic cathedrals, churches and chapels of Naples, Italy are at risk of vanishing into the earth, according to new research published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage.
Combining map data with satellite imagery used to measure subtle changes in ground levels over time, a team of researchers from the University of Naples Federico II have identified which of the city’s places of worship are most at risk from sinkholes.
The Art Newspaper
November 5, 2020
© Ciro Fusco/EPA/Shutterstock
The team revealed that nine are built over subterranean cavities, on ground affected by “ongoing deformation”, making these areas highly susceptible to sudden collapse. These buildings require a “quick response,” the team writes, including ongoing monitoring and checking the stability of the ground. They also say a further 57 places of worship lie above “potential future cavity collapses”.
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