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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/22/glass-barriers-keep-st-marks-basilica-dry-venice-floods>
"It is a simple solution, but one that may keep the marble columns and valuable
mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice safe from seawater-induced erosion: a
set of glass barriers installed around the 900-year-old church has kept its
floors dry during frequent high tides.
Even after it evaporates, water leaves behind salt crystals that corrode the
marble bases of the columns and the floor mosaics, said Mario Piana, the
architect and restoration expert in charge of St Mark’s.
The barriers are made of glass mounted on a base of armoured concrete that is
buried below the pavement of St Mark’s Square to resist the force of surging
water. Piana said the system could keep out up to 1.10 metres (3ft 6in) of
water in the square, equivalent to a tide of 1.90 metres above sea level.
“Let’s hope that, from now on, there are no more high waters that will touch
the base of the basilica,” Piana said during an on-site visit, emphasising the
fragility of the clay-brick structure.
The palatial city of Venice, built on log piles among canals, has grappled with
flooding since its foundation 1,600 years ago. But, like other coastal areas,
rising sea levels and more extreme weather that scientists associate with the
climate crisis, have meant more frequent high tides.
While the basilica was built on what was one of Venice’s highest points at the
time, it now sits on one of the city’s lowest because of subsidence and rising
sea levels."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
