Natural Hazard Assessment in the Southeastern Margin of the Ría de Arosa (Pontevedra, Spain) Using GIS Techniques

Carlos E. Nieto (), Antonio Miguel Martínez-Graña and Leticia Merchán
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Carlos E. Nieto: Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Salamanca, Merced Square, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
Antonio Miguel Martínez-Graña: Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Salamanca, Merced Square, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
Leticia Merchán: Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Salamanca, Filiberto Villalobos Avenue, 119, 37007 Salamanca, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-19

Abstract: The characterization of natural hazards in coastal environments is of great necessity, especially in the current context of global climate change and increasing population concentrations. This research focuses on a multi-hazard analysis of the main geotechnical, geomorphological, hydrological, and lithological risks in the southeastern margin of the Ría de Arosa using Geographic Information System techniques. The integration of geotechnical characterization maps and natural hazard maps has allowed for the identification of areas with a high susceptibility to natural disasters, which is crucial for territorial planning and management in the context of growing urban pressure and global climate change. The results indicate that poorly consolidated surface formations, especially in transitional areas such as dunes and marshes, are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, areas with higher lithological competence have been identified, where slope changes contribute to ground instability. This analysis provides valuable tools for decision-making and the implementation of risk management policies, promoting sustainable development, the protection of coastal ecosystems, and the prevention of risks from urban planning and civil engineering activities in the Ría de Arosa.

Keywords: natural hazard; coastal management; GIS; geomorphology; geotechnical hazard (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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