Understanding geohazards in the UNESCO WHL site of the Derwent Valley Mills (UK) using geological and remote sensing data

A comprehensive analysis of geohazards in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Derwent Valley Mills (UK) reveals that flooding, both from fluvial water flow and groundwater emergence, poses significant risks across over 50% and 40% of the Core Area, respectively. Slope instability along the steep sides of the Derwent river valley, notably a 1.4 km² landslide deposit in Cromford within the Buffer Zone, further exacerbates these challenges. The study utilized key hazard datasets from the British Geological Survey, including GeoSure, DiGMapGB, and the National Landslide Database, to provide baseline geohazard characterization. Projections under a medium greenhouse gas emission scenario suggest drier summers, wetter winters, and increased annual temperatures, which could intensify these hazards. This research contributes to the PROTHEGO project, aimed at mapping geohazards across 400+ European UNESCO sites using satellite radar interferometry and geological data.

Cigna, F., Harrison, A., Tapete, D., & Lee, K. (2016). Understanding geohazards in the UNESCO WHL site of the Derwent Valley Mills (UK) using geological and remote sensing data. Fourth International Conference on Remote Sensing and Geoinformation of the Environment (RSCy2016), 9688, 96881V. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2240848