Abstract
The Siq is a 1.2 km naturally formed gorge that represents the main entrance to Petra (Jordan). Discontinuities of various type (bedding, joints, faults), mainly related to stratigraphic setting, tectonic activity and geomorphological evolution of the slope can be recognized. Structural condition determines a rock-fall potential activity that may involve unstable volumes, from 0.1 m3 up to over some hundreds m3. The latter can be catastrophic according to evolution of the movement (extremely rapid) and involved rock mass volumes. Slope instability, acceleration of crack deformation and consequent increasing of rock-fall hazard conditions could threaten the safety of people walking through the Siq. UNESCO, ISPRA and Jordan local authorities have implemented a project focused on landslide hazard assessment and risk mitigation strategies as a first step for the long-term conservation of the Siq. The paper reports preliminary data on landslide inventory, geomechanical properties of materials and assessment of landslide kinematics that affect the Siq of Petra.
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Acknowledgments
This research is part of the UNESCO project “Siq_Stability - Sustainable Monitoring Techniques for Assessing Instability of Slopes in the Siq of Petra, Jordan”, funded by the Italian Development Cooperation and implemented by the UNESCO Amman Office in partnership with ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research-Geological Survey of Italy), Zamani Research Group (University of Cape Town), Petra National Trust (PNT) and in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities of Jordan and the Petra Archaeological Park.
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© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
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Delmonaco, G., Margottini, C., Spizzichino, D., Khrisat, B. (2014).
Rock Slope Potential Failures in the Siq of Petra (Jordan).
In: Sassa, K., Canuti, P., Yin, Y. (eds) Landslide Science for a Safer Geoenvironment. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04996-0_52
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04996-0_52
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