abu mena's biggest threats
Effects of rain
Unfortunately with heavy rain the clay dampens too much, and it has been slowly causing the ruins to sink and collapse, as well as underground cavities to form in the clay. As time goes on, the threat of rain is becoming more and more persistent. Local authorities have taken to filling the unsteady ruin's bases with sand and closing them to the public. They have also begun digging trenches in hopes of keeping the water away from the ruins, as well as widening their area of protection in order to reduce civilian irrigation into Abu Mena.
The biggest threat to Abu Mena, however, is currently the civilization around it. Centuries of heavy rain have already weakened the solitude of the clay, but increased irrigation due to farming is placing a huge toll on the structures. The severity of the situation is rapidly increasing as ground water levels rise as well. This is affected not only by the surrounding towns, but by region wide changes in the Mediterranean.