Geological Risks: Understanding and Mitigating Natural Hazards

Posted on Aug 3, 2024 in Geology

Erosion

Erosion is the removal of materials from an area due to geological processes. It can lead to the loss of soil, sediments, and other resources.

Factors that Increase Erosion

  • Rugged slopes
  • Lack of vegetation
  • Unstable ground materials
  • Climate

Preventive Measures

  • Determining the most appropriate land use
  • Reforestation or terracing
  • Maintaining vegetation on slopes

Gravitational Processes

Gravitational processes involve the movement of materials down a slope. They can pose a danger to people and infrastructure.

Risks

  • Materials moving and burying people
  • Land moving down the slope

Preventive Actions

  • Reducing the slope’s inclination
  • Eliminating weight at the head and adding weight at the foot
  • Reinforcing and adding weight at the bottom of the slope
  • Drainage
  • Reinforcing with anchors

Subsoil Risks

Subsoil risks include subsidence, expansive soils, and karstic formations.

Subsidence

Subsidence is the sinking of the ground. It can cause large losses.

Expansive Soils

Expansive soils can swell and destabilize structures.

Karstic Formations

Karstic formations can cause subsidence or sudden collapse.

Snow and Ice Risks

Snow and ice can pose risks in cold areas.

Risks in Cold Areas

  • Avalanches
  • Landslides
  • Falling materials from glaciers

Risks in Spain

  • Frost
  • Impact on agriculture and public works

Fluvial Dynamics

Fluvial dynamics involve the movement of water and sediment in rivers.

Risks

  • Floods
  • Loss of life
  • Loss of crops and livestock
  • Damage to infrastructure

Cyclones

Cyclones are violent storms that originate over warm water.

Classification

  • Tropical depression: Winds reach 62 km/h
  • Tropical storm: Winds between 62 and 118 km/h
  • Hurricane: Winds exceed 118 km/h

High Winds

High winds can damage trees and crops.

Gales

Gales are frequent in the north of Spain.

Cold Drops and Tornadoes in Spain

Cold drops are storms that produce heavy rainfall and flooding.

Tornadoes are violent storms that produce high winds and heavy downpours.

Catastrophes

Catastrophes are events that result from the interaction of weather events with vulnerable populations.

Main Effects

  • Loss of life
  • Economic and environmental damage
  • Brake on development

Factors that Increase Risks

  • Uncontrolled population growth
  • Underdevelopment
  • Inappropriate urbanization
  • Inappropriate use of high-risk technologies
  • Environmental degradation and climate change

Factors Determining Coastal Process Risks

  • Coastal geological processes
  • Storms
  • Human activities