07.10.2022
The Department of the Geological Survey of Cyprus is warning citizens to protect their real estate by reviewing the areas of geological suitability in which it is not recommended to invest.
The Department has identified 13 areas, including parts of Pera Chorio – Nisa, Tochni, Athiena and Pissouri, where no new development/construction/construction can take place.
The department has also identified 113 additional areas where new construction or additions to current construction are not recommended. These are zones that have been identified after detailed surveys and surveys, covering 55% of the island or 85% of the territory controlled by the Republic of Cyprus.
On the Department’s website, users can navigate the geographic environment and find additional geological information, including fossils, minerals, groundwater, geomorphosites, etc.
Areas that are described according to their level of danger include the following:
Zone 00: The area is threatened by geological risks, it is characterized by instability and increased danger. New development is not allowed in this Zone.
Site 00A: The area is endangered by geological hazards and is characterized by instability and increased hazard. These geohazards have negative and catastrophic consequences for the structural environment, which are associated with :
Active landslides such as Matikoloni, Pissouri, Armu, etc.
Unstable mountain ranges such as Episkopi Paphos, Skali Aglantzias.
Large landfills (Vati, Kotsiatis, Agia Marinuda, Cavo Greco), etc.
Mouths of large rivers, such as Kurris, Diarizu, etc.
Very high groundwater levels such as lakes /wetlands (Voroklini, Paralimni), salt marshes (Akrotiri, Larnaca) and areas near dams.
Zone 01: This area is proposed for development, but preliminary geological survey is required. The site is threatened by geological risks that could have negative and catastrophic consequences for the structural environment. These risks vary in severity and refer to :
Areas where landslides can occur, or areas where there are ancient landslides that are inactive;
Unstable slopes and slopes with log or rock separation;
Territories where landfills were located or operate, which must be assessed and reclaimed prior to development;
Areas with underground burrows;
Areas where sinkholes can appear, usually around the perimeter of zone 00 or 00A associated with sinkholes, but also areas with large streams where gypsum rocks pass;
Areas surrounding large bodies of water where there are large seasonal fluctuations in groundwater levels (Lake Paralimni, Voroklinis) or soils with a high salt content (salt marshes of Akrotiri, Larnaca).
Zone 02: This area is threatened by geological risks that can have negative and catastrophic consequences for the structural environment, but especially for large structures.
Zone 03: No evidence of any geological risks threatening the structural environment.
