293 / 2023-10-11 13:21:00

Preserving outstanding value of historical mining sites by providing reliable and complex observation– case of Wieliczka Salt Mine a UNESCO Word Heritage Site

salt mine,rock masses,deformation,displacement,subsidence,convergence,extensometers,monitoring,laser,InSAR

The study presents the recent protection methodology of a UNESCO Word Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine. The investigation concentrateson theimportance of protectionof the most fragile salt caverns being under hazard of collapse in that site.The slow cavern convergencein relation to the caverns roof deterioration is a complicated process. The proper observation of the rock masses movements and land surface is still a challenging task.

In the article the methodology of the rock masses stability measurement in Wieliczka Salt Mine has been shown. The hybrid observationof the rock masses combined with the remote and classical measurement has been examined. The study revealed that only multi source information can provide reliable characteristic of thecondition of the most hazarded sites in the Wieliczka mine. The presented investigation provides also the premises how to design optimized measurement techniques in the site subjected to the slow displacements.The result of the research is a comprehensive recommendation and guidelines for reliable monitoring of thechanges is rock masses to preserve safety is in a unique historical heritagesite.