New research for treatment of earthquake damage
A two-day conference on new research measures for the prevention and protection of earthquake damaged historical buildings took place on 24 and 25 September 1998. The conference was organised by the European Commission and the Italian Ministry of Culture, in order to evaluate environmental damage caused by earthquakes. This covers issues such as the most appropriate technologies for their protection and ultimate restoration, as well as the prevention of future damage. The conference brought together 30 high-level experts to discuss the damage to, and restoration of, the frescoes of the basilica of St Francis, damaged during the earthquakes which struck the Italian regions of Marche and Umbria in September 1997. Other measures to protect such cultural heritage from the effects of future earthquakes and environmental degradation, and from mass tourism were also discussed. Experts from four research projects, funded by the EU under the Environment and Climate programme, related to the Assisi case, described innovative techniques for protecting cultural heritage against seismic activity, the risks associated with the use of inappropriate technologies, and the effects of mass tourism.
Countries
Italy