3D digital analysis for geo-structural monitoring and virtual documentation of the saint Michael cave in Minervino Murge, Bari (Italy)

The presence of caves and, in general, of subterranean landforms produced by karst processes is among the most typical geological features of the territory of Apulia, southern Italy. Several examples can be counted throughout the region, especially in the Murge area. The need to perform geo-structural analysis aimed at evaluating the stability conditions is especially significant for those caves open to the public. In the Murge area, the cave of Saint Michael at Minervino Murge is among the most famous. Beside the religious and historical interests, the whole cave needed a detailed analysis of the rock mass stability, both for protection of its architectural and archaeological values, and for safeguard of the visitors. At these aims, we performed various digital surveys by means of laser scanners and drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, in order to understand the geological setting of the entire cave and to identify unstable blocks.