A leaning historical monument formed by underground mining effect: An example from Czech Republic

As causes of underground mining activities, subsidences and slope deformations are very important problems in most countries. If the slope deformation or subsidence cannot be effectively controlled then it will cause damages on buildings, particularly tall buildings and even a disaster. However surface impact of underground mining activity is very well known and reasonably well understood, as a result of the effect of underground mining activities; many hazards, undesired structural and environmental problems on the surface are being addressed in many countries. In this article, deformations on the church of St. Peter of Alcantara which is one of the most dominant monuments of Karvina city (Czech Republic) were identified and discussed by means of the effect of underground mining activities on the buildings. The results of this article will be useful in order to better understand the nature and magnitude of displacements that can affect surface infrastructures. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.