Natural Hazard Characterisation in the Arribes del Duero Natural Park (Spain)

Abstract

Natural disasters have been significantly affecting the natural and artificial environment for decades. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out adequate territorial planning in order to predict and mitigate possible natural risks in areas of great environmental value and interest, which is the case of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park. In order to achieve this, geotechnical mapping should be carried out followed by hazard mapping, taking into account the lithological, hydrogeological and geomorphological characteristics and, in addition, the real erosion rates. The results indicate that, in the study area, there are three areas with different geotechnical characteristics, classified according to their lithological, geomorphological and hydrological characteristics. In terms of hazards, there are five zones: with hydrological problems; lithological and geomorphological problems; geomorphological and hydrological problems; geomorphological and lithological problems; and geotechnical problems. Finally, it can be concluded that geotechnical mapping enables us to delimit areas of recommendations and limitations of use in terms of construction activities which, together with natural hazard mapping, will be very useful in the preparation of risk mapping for land-use planning.