THE ANALYSIS OF VISUAL IMPACT INDUCED BY QUARRY SITES ON THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE: EXPLOTATION METHODS AND THEIR EFFECTS.

In this paper an analysis of the effects induced by quarrying activities on the surrounding areas is presented. The paper is focused on the assessment of visual impact by means of quantitative parameters in order to allow an objective evaluation of each alteration. The case study is represented by a quarry plant located in the southern part of the region Lazio of Italy. The selected limestone quarry was plotted as it would be quarried by each of two different exploitation methods: single bench and multiple bench. The assessment procedure was carried out according with three phases. The first phase allows to quantify the extent of the quarry area (EQA) exposed to a potential observer, the second one the extent of the area from which the site may be seen by potential observers (ZVI). In the last part the analysis of the temporary evolution is carried out and some considerations about the selected methods are carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]