Syntax options: DROP STORAGE AREA area-name CASCADE | DROP STORAGE AREA area-name RESTRICT Deletes the specified storage area definition and the associated storage area and snapshot files. You can use the DROP STORAGE AREA clause only on multifile databases. If you use the RESTRICT keyword, you cannot delete a storage area if any database object, such as a storage map, refers to the area or if there is data in the storage area. If you use the CASCADE keyword, Oracle Rdb modifies all objects that refer to the storage area so that they no longer refer to it. However, Oracle Rdb does not delete objects if doing so makes the database inconsistent. If you use the ALTER DATABASE statement to delete a storage area, the change is journaled, however, you should back up your database before making such a change.