Vulnerability assessment of archaeological sites to earthquake hazard: An indicator based method integrating spatial and temporal aspects

A novel indicator-based method for assessing the vulnerability of archaeological sites to earthquakes has been developed, integrating spatial and temporal parameters. The study identifies Neratzia Fortress on Kos and Heraion on Samos as highly vulnerable sites, warranting priority for further studies and mitigation measures. The method evaluates susceptibility to secondary earthquake effects such as ground liquefaction, landslides, and tsunamis through the Spatial Susceptibility Index (SSi), while physical vulnerability, economic importance, and visitor density are assessed via the Temporal Vulnerability Index (TVi). Combined, these indexes form the Archaeological Site Vulnerability Index (A.S.V.I.), which was applied to 16 archaeological sites in Greece. The findings indicate that most sites have low to moderate vulnerability, but many remain susceptible to at least one earthquake environmental effect and exhibit high physical vulnerability due to limited conservation efforts. This approach underscores the need for effective vulnerability assessment within disaster risk management frameworks for cultural heritage.

Minos-Minopoulos, D., Dominey-Howes, D., & Pavlopoulos, K. (2017). Vulnerability assessment of archaeological sites to earthquake hazard: An indicator based method integrating spatial and temporal aspects. Annals of Geophysics, 60(4), S0445. https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-7157