Rockfall Hazard Assessment in an Area of the “Parco Archeologico Storico-Naturale Delle Chiese Rupestri” of Matera (Basilicata Southern–Italy)

This work contains the results of the methodology used for the evaluation of the possible trajectories of the unstable blocks and their location along the slope that could destroy valuable rupestrian testimonies. The software used is the Rockfall, managed by RocScience (2002). It is an important tool allowing the rockfalls risk assessment. In the study area various simulations have been performed; they have led to the evaluation of the different parameters of the blocks movements: trajectories, maximum heights of bounce, propagation distances and energies of the blocks, to obtain a mapping of areas with different susceptibility to the transit and to the invasion of the blocks. In order to describe the blocks movement, the RocFall Software apply the parabolic equation of a corps motion in free fall and the principle of total energy conservation. This work leds to the result that the southern side of the site “Belvedere delle Chiese Rupestri” presents a big criticality to the collapse phenomena that reverberates on archaeological assets therein.