Reduction of Rockfall Risk of the Teleferik Area of Santorini, Greece

Abstract

The Teleferik area of Santorini Volcanic Complex is characterized by rockfall risk due to existing morphological, geological, geotechnical and geodynamic conditions. It is therefore considered a high risk area because of the huge annual number of visitors. The aims of the research are: (i) to identify areas with increased risk of boulders’ detachment, (ii) to map the rockmasses for direct intervention projects, (iii) to suggest scenarios of rockfall events, (iv) to recommend urgent works required upslope of the lower lift station of the Teleferik in order to reduce the existing risks to the minimum. The calculations were mostly conducted with back analysis and processing of data of recent rockfall events. The proposed interventions belong to the general context of large-scale projects, while top priority is given to works upslope of the lower lift station, which will work as an extra last line of defense in case of large-scale geodynamic events in the future.