Debris-flow hazard assessment at the archaeological UNESCO world heritage site of Villa Romana del Casale (Sicily, Italy)

A comprehensive debris-flow hazard assessment reveals that the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily, Italy, is highly vulnerable to rain-triggered debris flows due to its strategic location and the hydro-geomorphological characteristics of its river basin. Historical analyses and field surveys confirm frequent landslides, while two-dimensional hydraulic numerical modeling identifies critical deposition areas, water depth, and speed values, pinpointing the most at-risk archaeological elements. The study also evaluates the effectiveness of existing hydraulic defense systems and proposes a real-time environmental monitoring system—a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) with early warning capabilities—to mitigate risks. This integrated approach combines historical data, geomorphological investigations, and advanced modeling to enhance site protection and inform prevention strategies.

Musumeci, R. E., Foti, E., Li Rosi, D., Sanfilippo, M., Stancanelli, L. M., Iuppa, C., Sapienza, V., Yang, W., Cantarero, M., & Patanè, D. (2021). Debris-flow hazard assessment at the archaeological UNESCO world heritage site of Villa Romana del Casale (Sicily, Italy). International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 64, 102509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102509