Fires: 360 thousand hectares were reduced to ash

The territory of Greece, which burned until yesterday afternoon in North Evia and Attica, is represented by the Department of Geology and Geoecology of the University of Athens. Mapping and operational monitoring is coordinated by the Disaster and Crisis Management Strategies program.

The Faculty of Geology and Geoecology of the University of Athens is already keeping records of burnt sites in great detail so that the necessary measures can be taken as soon as possible. According to data from 9/08, while the fires were still ongoing, a total of 360,000 hectares were burned across the country.

In particular, major major fires destroyed 30 thousand hectares in Attica, 21 thousand hectares in northern Evia, 40.5 thousand hectares in Ancient Olympia, 17 thousand hectares in Aegialia, 18.5 thousand hectares in Diavolitsa (Messinia) and about 400 hectares in Eastern Mani. Also in Rhodes, 4.5 thousand hectares of land were burned.

“The data is constantly changing because the fire element has not yet been defeated,” says Niki Evelpidou, professor in the Department of Geology at the University of Athens, who, in collaboration with Maria Tsuksanioti, is conducting relevant research.

Initially, the data is recorded using digital mapping techniques, but then a ground survey is carried out to ensure the highest possible accuracy. As noted by Ms Evelpidou, the work is carried out by a group of researchers, but they are assisted by student volunteers.

“We know from experience that the disaster, unfortunately, does not end with extinguishing the fire. This is followed by floods, mudflows, landslides, which can have catastrophic consequences in case of heavy rains, which happens very often in recent years, ”explains Ms. Evelpidou.

The research team of the Department of Geology and Geoecology of EKPA, in addition to registering burnt areas, collects many other data on the territory to create a complete profile: geological features, soil morphology, hydrographic network (where there is surface runoff). Then it analyzes them in conjunction with the flood history in each area, as well as with meteorological data.

“The burnt area is huge. Our goal is to find out which areas are most at risk of floods or landslides, so that we can focus on the projects that need to be carried out first in these areas, ”adds the scientist.

The expert emphasizes that each case is completely separate and different, and therefore requires detailed data recording.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Infrastructure released the results of the first 246 inspections of buildings in Attica affected by fire. So far, 48 houses, 6 utility rooms and 7 warehouses have been recognized as dangerous.

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