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The safety of the 14 most popular Ionian beaches was studied by a group of scientists from the University of Athens over a three year period, concluding, among other things, that the famous Shipwredck (Navagio) beach in Zakynthos should remain closed to visitors. While restrictions need to be placed on access to Porto Katsiki and Egremnos in Lefkada, Kalamaki in Zakynthos and Gidaki in Ithaca.
As mentioned in a related report by “Kathimerini”, the research program concerned: includes islands such as Corfu, the beaches in Paleochori and Glyfada, in Lefkada Egremnos, Porto Katsiki and Pefkouli, in Zakynthos the Shipwreck, Kalamaki, Dafni, Gerakas and Myzithres, Gidaki in Ithaca and Myrtos, Xi, Platia Ammos and Petanou in Kefalonia.
Manolis Vassilakis, director of the Remote Sensing Laboratory of the school, was in charge of the team that carried out the 3D mapping of the slopes.
“We used drones and laser scanners in order to three-dimensionally capture, with great precision, the condition of the slopes on the coasts that were chosen precisely because of their particular relief. By scanning you record millions of points with their coordinates. The recording was repeated two to three times per coast, in different years. By comparing the prints, the program “reddens” all the points that have moved, even if only slightly. When you have a lot of red dots clustered together, this indicates a loosening of the slopes – in other words, a rock that is at risk of falling after an earthquake or heavy rainfall. We will indicate these points to the Region, proposing specific steps, such as e.g. the “scraping” (removal) of the loose rocks or the taking of protective measures, which of course will not alter either the landscape or the shape of the beach”, he explains.
Experts call for restrictions on access to Porto Katsiki and Egremnos in Lefkada, Kalamaki in Zakynthos and Gidaki in Ithaca.
Especially for Navagio beach, which has been closed to visitors from September 2022, scientists “scanned” the slopes both from the air and from the ground. “Our results show that there are positions that have relaxed enough. It is not reasonable under these conditions to let people go to the beach”, says Mr. Vasilakis.
“Also, in Porto Katsiki, Kalamaki, Egremni and Gidaki, there should be some restrictions on access, in specific places.”
Mr. Vasilakis believes that a special basis should be given to informing visitors. “People don’t follow the measures. Even on beaches where there is a protective fence, they jump over it and sit under the steep slopes for shade, underestimating the danger. In Porto Katsiki we found people sitting next to stones that had fallen just a week earlier. The same in Kalamaki, where huge rocks fell into the shore and people went among them and bathed. So we have to provide a better level of information, not just a sign that many ignore.”
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source in Greek:- https://www.newsbomb.gr/oles-oi-eidhseis
Photos:- public domain
