‘Not to inhabit some houses’ – Lekkas for cracks in dumbbells

Severe concern is caused by extensive cracks that appeared on streets and residences in Voutes of Heraklion, without an earthquake. On Sunday morning, a step of the Municipality of Heraklion visited the village for autopsy at the points recorded by the cracks, which extend to about 150 meters in length and concern both the road and ten houses.

Efthimi Lekkas, Professor of Dynamic Tectonic and Applied Geology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and president of the Anti -Seismic Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), arrived in the area and made a first afternoon in the afternoon.

« It’s a geological phenomenon, which is ongoing, » says Professor Lekkas

The teacher, after having a first picture, spoke of an ongoing geological phenomenon.

« We are dealing with two territorial burglaries about 150 meters each. They are in different places in the village. They have these territorial burglaries cause failures in construction, houses, public spaces and networks. It is a geological pure phenomenon, which is ongoing. It has appeared for about a week. These burglaries, which exist on the ground and of course tonight (…), are expanded, and we have made a widespread autopsy as long as the conditions allowed us. This autopsy will essentially continue tomorrow morning from 7:00. We will try to map in great detail these burglaries that exist in the space, to see, to approach the causes that are due, to see how the phenomenon is evolving, because this is the dominant at the moment and then see how we can intervene. « 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yja85lhavxu

Recommendation not to be inhabited Constructions that have suffered large failures from burglary

Asked if it is likely that this phenomenon is likely to be extended to neighboring areas, Mr Lekkas replied: « The phenomenon is ongoing, so it can be expanded.

We will see this tomorrow and the next few days whether or not the phenomenon will expand. From then on, there are some constructions that have suffered large failures from the burglary. But these constructions were old and are not inhabited, so there is no problem. In some constructions, which are inhabited, the recommendation is for tonight not to be inhabited, to find another space. So that we can have a very good picture tomorrow to see what action we will take. Of course, whether or not homes will be homes, this is a matter of DAF, which will send engineers so that they can evaluate whether or not a construction is in danger. « 

Reportedly, two residents of the area will leave their homes tonight.

Drone and special machinery in the area – request to declare the area in an extraordinary state

Efthymi Lekkas said that in the coming hours « we will capture the area with special machinery and drone to see the overall position of the phenomenon of the morphology of the area and other geological and geotechnical conditions so that we can come up somewhere, in a first approach to propose direct interventions ».

For his part, the Mayor of Heraklion, Alexis Kalirinos, stressed that the request to declare the area in an emergency state has been submitted, and documents will be submitted tomorrow.

« Of course, it is at the discretion of the Ministry of Civil Protection through the OASP President who is with us today, to assess whether this will happen. We believe that there is a practical dimension in this declaration. That is, all processes can proceed faster and take appropriate measures in time for a phenomenon that as you have heard is ongoing, « he said.

On Monday the decisions

As mentioned, the detailed geotechnical surveys are scheduled for Monday morning, with the aim of completing them immediately and making decisions for the next steps. Authorities are on a state of increased alert in order to immediately activate the necessary protection measures if necessary. The final decision on whether the dives are declared in emergency will be taken on the basis of tomorrow’s findings.

According to Mr Lekkas’ estimates, it seems to be a dynamic phenomenon, and data has changed in the cracks in the morning.

There is a very rapid evolution of the phenomenon, with the fractures expanding

‘Subsection Settlement’

However, according to an engineer at the Metsovo Technical University, who was found in the area, this is a differential sedimentation. In differential situations, the soil recedes unevenly, resulting in many and large cracks with a different slope and direction, causing an increase in torque at the carrier’s signs.

« It certainly did not exist, the last 2-3 hours have been created and it is a subsoil sedimentation, » residents said.

« It is a high priority issue, which will concern us, so that any danger to the village can be avoided and to eliminate the reasonable concern that has aroused to all of us. A specialized study will be needed and scholars will have to come from Athens and that also means the central government’s help. We are currently addressing both the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Civil Protection, ”said Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalirinos.

Celendis

Akis Zelentis, in his post, notes that « in Geodynamic for 3 years we have done a detailed seismological/geophysical/study of Heraklion » and found « many non -active cracks that we studied with electric, seismic, satellites and Georadar methods ».

Among other things, he notes that « a further detailed imprint of discontinuity is required until we adopt the simplistic scenario of sedimentation ».