The rockslide hazard in the former quarry near Spitz and its foreland / Die Felssturzgefahr im ehemaligen Tagebau Spitz a. d. Donau und dessen Vorland

Rockslide hazards persist significantly in the former quarry near Spitz, Austria, even after mining operations ceased. The study reveals that weather conditions and historical rockslide events are strong predictors of future instability, with rainfall and temperature fluctuations increasing the likelihood of rock detachments. Geomechanical analyses indicate that certain rock formations remain vulnerable to failure, posing risks to critical infrastructure such as railways, roads, and cycling routes in the UNESCO-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape. To mitigate these risks, a combination of physical barriers (e.g., protection embankments, rock fall fences) and an automated monitoring system—triggering traffic closures during high-risk conditions—has been implemented. The research underscores the importance of long-term risk assessment in post-mining landscapes, particularly where human activity and natural hazards intersect.

Poisel, R., Kolenprat, B., Bertagnoli, M., Ahmadabadi, M., Grasemann, B., & Hödlmoser, N. (2016). The rockslide hazard in the former quarry near Spitz and its foreland / Die Felssturzgefahr im ehemaligen Tagebau Spitz a. d. Donau und dessen Vorland. Geomechanics and Tunnelling, 9(5), 497–507. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/geot.201600049