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Spatial distribution, morphometry and activity of La Puebla de Alfindén sinkhole field in the Ebro river valley (NE Spain): applied aspects for hazard zonation

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

A highly active collapse sinkhole field in the evaporitic mantled karst of the Ebro river valley is studied (NE Spain). The subsidence is controlled by a NW-SE trending joint system and accelerated by the discharge of waste water from a nearby industrial state. The morphometry, spatial distribution and temporal evolution of the sinkholes have been analysed. The volume of the sinkholes yields a minimum estimate of average lowering of the surface by collapse subsidence of 46 cm. The clustering of the sinkholes and the tendency to form elongated uvalas and linear belts, in a NW–SE direction have a predictive utility and allow the establishment of criteria for a hazard zonation. With the precipitation record supplied by a pluviograph and periodic cartographic and photographic surveys the influence of heavy rainfall events on the triggering of collapses has been studied.

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Acknowledgements

This research has been financially supported by the ROSES project (ENV4-CT97-0603) of the European Community. The authors would like to thank the geologist and speleologist Fernando Lorén Blasco for his help in the exploration of the endokarst.

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  1. Dpto. de Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/. Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain

    F. Gutiérrez-Santolalla, M. Gutiérrez-Elorza, C. Marín, G. Desir & C. Maldonado

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  1. F. Gutiérrez-Santolalla
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  2. M. Gutiérrez-Elorza
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  3. C. Marín
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  4. G. Desir
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  5. C. Maldonado
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Correspondence to F. Gutiérrez-Santolalla.

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Gutiérrez-Santolalla, F., Gutiérrez-Elorza, M., Marín, C. et al. Spatial distribution, morphometry and activity of La Puebla de Alfindén sinkhole field in the Ebro river valley (NE Spain): applied aspects for hazard zonation. Environ Geol 48, 360–369 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-005-1280-8

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