A team from the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (H.S.G.M.E.), within the framework of the Authority’s Rapid Response Team, visited the Holy Monastery of Konstamonitou in Mount Athos from June 9 to 12, 2020, following an official request for technical assistance.
The team, consisting of Dr. Lambros Pyrgiotis, Engineering Geologist from the Department of Engineering Geology, and Mr. Vasilis Zorapas, Hydrogeologist (M.Sc.), Head of the Department of Hydrogeology and Hydrology of H.S.G.M.E., conducted on-site inspections to assess urgent problems that had arisen at the Monastery due to landslide phenomena triggered by intense rainfall that struck the area in late March and early April of the same year. The purpose of the visit was the engineering-geological and hydrogeological assessment of the situation.
During the field investigation, the team examined slope instability phenomena that had caused damage to the rural and forest road network (blockage and collapse of the road surface) in the wider area of the Holy Monastery of Konstamonitou, the destruction of a section of the masonry aqueduct collecting and conveying water from the main spring supplying the Monastery, the differential settlement and partial collapse of a building wall, as well as ground subsidence in the courtyard and fenced area. In addition, soil settlement was observed in a section of the surrounding area of the Monastery, attributed to the deposition of a large volume of backfill materials.
In cooperation with Father Paisios, representative of the Monastery, the team evaluated the hazard level of the observed phenomena and provided on-site recommendations for mitigation and restoration measures, including the repair of the damaged aqueduct section. Furthermore, in order to ensure the Monastery’s future water supply and irrigation needs, a hydrogeological reconnaissance survey was carried out in its forest property area to identify potential sites for groundwater drilling. A detailed technical report covering all the above will be compiled and submitted.
Additionally, during the team’s stay in Mount Athos and following communication with the Independent Directorate of Civil Protection of the Region of Central Macedonia, an inspection was conducted in collaboration with Mr. Amfilochios Petridis, Civil Engineer of the Technical Services of the Holy Community of Mount Athos, along the Dafni–Karyes road section, which had been affected by extensive landslide phenomena. The inspection focused on identifying the specific engineering-geological and geotechnical conditions at each failure site, recording their positions, and assessing their hazard level with respect to the overall stability of the area.
