Geodiversity of Las Loras UNESCO Global Geopark: Hydrogeological Significance of Groundwater and Landscape Interaction and Conceptual Model of Functioning

África de la Hera-Portillo (), Julio López-Gutiérrez, Luis Moreno-Merino, Miguel Llorente-Isidro, Rod Fensham, Mario Fernández, Marwan Ghanem, Karmah Salman, Jose Ángel Sánchez-Fabián, Nicolás Gallego-Rojas, Mar Corral Mª, Elena Galindo, Manuela Chamizo-Borreguero and Nour-Eddine Laftouhi
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África de la Hera-Portillo: Centro Nacional Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IGME-CSIC), 28003 Madrid, Spain
Julio López-Gutiérrez: Centro Nacional Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IGME-CSIC), 28003 Madrid, Spain
Luis Moreno-Merino: Centro Nacional Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IGME-CSIC), 28003 Madrid, Spain
Miguel Llorente-Isidro: Centro Nacional Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IGME-CSIC), 28003 Madrid, Spain
Rod Fensham: Queensland Herbarium (DES), Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, QLD 4066, Australia
Mario Fernández: Independent Researcher, 09142 Burgos, Spain
Marwan Ghanem: Department of Geography, Birzeit University, Ramallah P.O. Box 14, Palestine
Karmah Salman: Las Loras UNESCO Global Geopark, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo, Spain
Jose Ángel Sánchez-Fabián: Las Loras UNESCO Global Geopark, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo, Spain
Nicolás Gallego-Rojas: Asociación Argeol, C/La Fuente 11, San Martín de Perapertú, 34839 Palencia, Spain
Mar Corral Mª: Centro Nacional Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IGME-CSIC), 28003 Madrid, Spain
Elena Galindo: Centro Nacional Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IGME-CSIC), 28003 Madrid, Spain
Manuela Chamizo-Borreguero: Centro Nacional Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IGME-CSIC), 28003 Madrid, Spain
Nour-Eddine Laftouhi: Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia of Marrakech, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

Resources, 2023, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-32

Abstract: Las Loras UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) is geologically diverse, particularly in relation to water-derived features: springs, karst springs, travertine buildings, waterfalls, caves. In this work, the interactions between geology, geomorphology, structures and hydrogeology are analyzed. As a result of this study, a first conceptual model of the hydrogeological functioning at Las Loras UGGp is presented. The most plausible hypothesis is that the system is formed by two superimposed aquifer systems, separated by an aquitard formed by Lower Cretaceous material. The deep lower aquifer formed by the Jurassic limestones only outcrops on the northern and southern edges of the Geopark and in a small arched band to the south of Aguilar de Campoo. It forms a basement subject to intense deformation. The upper aquifer system, formed by outcropping materials from the Upper Cretaceous, is a free aquifer. It is formed by a multilayered aquifer system that is highly compartmentalized, constituting individual moorland and lora units acting as a separate recharge–discharge system. This model explains the base level of the permanent rivers and the abundant springs, important components of the water cycle and representing a contribution to the rich geological heritage of the location.

Keywords: geodiversity; geosites; springs; Las Loras UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp); hydrogeology; Ubierna Fault (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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