Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaporite Karst in Calatayud, Iberian Chain

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Landscapes and Landforms of Spain

Part of the book series: World Geomorphological Landscapes ((WGLC))

Abstract

The Cenozoic sedimentary fill of Calatayud Graben, an intramontane basin within the Iberian Chain, includes an evaporitic sequence around 500 m thick with significant halite and glauberite units in the subsurface. Interstratal dissolution of the salt-bearing evaporites has generated megacollapse structures covering up to 12 km2 in which Neogene sediments have subsided as much as 200 m. The Quaternary alluvium related to the present-day fluvial systems shows sharp changes in thickness locally reaching more than 100 m. The thickened terrace deposits fill basins several kilometres long generated by dissolution-induced synsedimentary subsidence. The area offers the opportunity to examine excellent exposures of subsidence structures and paleosinkholes that illustrate the mechanisms involved in sinkhole development (sagging, collapse, and suffosion). Dissolution and hydrocompaction subsidence has caused extensive structural damage in Calatayud city, including outstanding historical buildings. On November 2003, a collapse sinkhole undermined the foundation of a five-storey building, leading to its demolition, involving around 5 million euro of direct losses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bomer B (1960) Aspectos morfológicos de la Cuenca de Calatayud-Daroca y de sus zonas marginales. Estudios Geográficos 80:393–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Calaforra JM, Pulido-Bosch A (1996) Some examples of gypsum karst and the most important gypsum caves in Spain. Int J Speleol 25:225–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calaforra JM, Pulido-Bosch A (1999) Gypsum karst features as evidence of diapiric processes in the Betic Cordillera, Southern Spain. Geomorphology 29:251–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canals M, Got H, Juliá R, Serra J (1990) Solution-collapse depressions and suspensates in the limnocrenic lake of Banyoles (NE Spain). Earth Surf Proc Land 15:243–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carbonel D, Gutiérrez F, Linares R, Roqué C, Zarroca M, McCalpin J, Guerrero J, Rodríguez V (2013) Differentiating between gravitational and tectonic faults by means of geomorphological mapping, trenching and geophysical surveys. The case of the Zenzano fault (Iberian Chain, N Spain). Geomorphology 189:93–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardona F, Viver J (2002) Sota la Sal de Cardona. Espeleo Club de Gràcia, Barcelona 129 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Collantes LP, Griffo JL (1982) Panorámica general del yeso en España. Los yesos de la Cubeta de Calatayud en la Provincia de Zaragoza. Tecniterrae 8(46):53–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Galve JP, Gutiérrez F, Lucha P, Bonachea J, Remondo J, Cendrero A, Gutiérrez M, Gimeno MJ, Pardo G, Sánchez JA (2009) Sinkholes in the salt-bearing evaporite karst of the Ebro River valley upstream of Zaragoza city (NE Spain). Geomorphological mapping and analysis as a basis for risk management. Geomorphology 108:145–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gracia FJ, Gutiérrez F, Gutiérrez M (2002) Origin and evolution of the Gallocanta polje (Iberian Range, NE Spain). Zeitschrift für Geomorphology 46:245–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerrero J, Gutiérrez F, Lucha P (2008) The impact of halite dissolution subsidence on fluvial terrace development. The case study of the Huerva River in the Ebro Basin (NE Spain). Geomorphology 100:164–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guerrero J, Gutiérrez F, Galve JP (2013) Large depressions, thickened terraces, and gravitational deformation in the Ebro River valley (Zaragoza area, NE Spain): evidence of glauberite and halite interstratal karstification. Geomorphology 196:162–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F (1996) Gypsum karstification induced subsidence: effects on alluvial systems and derived geohazards (Calatayud Graben, Iberian Range, Spain). Geomorphology 16:277–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F (1998) Fenómenos de subsidencia por disolución de formaciones evaporíticas en las fosas neógenas de Teruel y Calatayud. Ph. D. thesis, University of Zaragoza, 569 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Cooper AH (2002) Evaporite dissolution subsidence in the historical city of Calatayud, Spain: damage appraisal and prevention. Nat Hazards 25:259–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Cooper AH (2013) Surface morphology of gypsum karst. In: Frumkin A (ed) Treatise on geomorphology. Karst Geomorphology, vol 6. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 425–437

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Cooper AH, García-Hermoso F (2000) Spatial assessment, mitigation and prevention of evaporite dissolution subsidence damage in the historical city of Calatayud, Spain. In: Carbognin L, Gambolati G, Johnson AI (eds) Land subsidence. Proceedings of the 6th international symposium on land subsidence, vol 1, pp 237–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Ortí F, Gutiérrez-Elorza M, Pérez-González A, Benito G, Gracia-Prieto J, Durán JJ (2001) The stratigraphical record and activity of evaporite dissolution subsidence in Spain. Carbonates Evaporites 16:46–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Lucha P, Guerrero J (2004) La dolina de colapso de la casa azul de Calatayud (noviembre de 2003). Origen, efectos y pronóstico. In: Benito G, Díez-Herrero A (eds) Riesgos naturales y antrópicos en Geomorfología. Actas de la VIII Reunión Nacional de Geomorfología, Toledo, pp 477–488

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Calaforra JM, Cardona F, Ortí F, Durán JJ, Garay P (2008a) Geological and environmental implications of evaporite karst in Spain. Environ Geol 53:951–965

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Guerrero J, Lucha P (2008b) A genetic classification of sinkholes based on the analysis of evaporite paleokarst exposures in Spain. Environ Geol 53:993–1006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Gutiérrez M, Gracia FJ, McCalpin JP, Lucha P, Guerrero J (2008c) Plio-Quaternary extensional seismotectonics and drainage network development in the central sector of the Iberian range (NE Spain). Geomorphology 102:21–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Galve JP, Lucha P, Bonachea J, Jordá L, Jordá R (2009a) Investigation of a large collapse sinkhole affecting a multi-storey building by means of geophysics and the trenching technique (Zaragoza city, NE Spain). Environ Geol 58:1107–1122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Masana E, González A, Guerrero J, Lucha P, McCalpin JP (2009b) Late Quaternary paleoseismic evidence on the Munébrega half-graben fault (Iberian range, Spain). Int J Earth Sci 98:1691–1703

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Lucha P, Jordá L (2009c) The Río Grío depression (Iberian Range, NE Spain). Neotectonic graben vs. fluvial valley. In: Pérez-López R, Grützner C, Lario J, Reicherter K Silva P (eds) Archeoseismology and palaeoseismology in the Alpine-Himalayan collisional zone. 1st INQUA-IGCP-567 international workshop on earthquake archaeology and palaeoseismology, Baelo Claudia, Spain, pp 43–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Carbonel D, Guerrero J, McCalpin JP, Linares R, Roque C, Zarroca M (2012a) Late Holocene episodic displacement on fault scarps related to interstratal dissolution of evaporites (Teruel Neogene Graben, NE Spain). J Struct Geol 34:2–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Gracia FJ, Gutiérrez M, Lucha P, Guerrero J, Carbonel D, Galve JP (2012b) A review on Quaternary tectonic and nontectonic faults in the central sector of the Iberian Chain, NE Spain. J Iberian Geol 38:145–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez F, Linares R, Roqué C, Zarroca M, Rosell J, Galve JP, Carbonell D (2012c) Investigating gravitational grabens related to lateral spreading and evaporite dissolution subsidence by means of detailed mapping, trenching, and electrical resistivity tomography (Spanish Pyrenees). Lithosphere 4:331–353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández A, Del Olmo P, Aragonés E (1983) Memoria y Mapa Geológico de España, E. 1:50.000. Ateca (437). IGME, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyos M, Zazo C, Goy JL, Aguirre E (1977) Estudio geomorfológico en los alrededores de Calatayud. Actas de la III Reunión Nacional de Cuaternario Ibérico, pp 149–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Jennings JN (1985) Karst geomorphology. Blackwell, Oxford 239 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson SY (1986) Water-escape structures in coarse-grained, volcaniclastic, fluvial deposits of the Ellensburg formation, South-Central Washington. J Sediment Petrol 56(6):905–910

    Google Scholar 

  • López-Vicente M, Navas A, Machín J (2009) Geomorphic mapping in endorheic catchments in the Spanish Pyrenees: an integrated GIS analysis of karstic features. Geomorphology 111:38–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucha P, Cardona F, Gutiérrez F, Guerrero J (2008) Natural and human-induced dissolution and subsidence processes in the salt outcrop of the Cardona Diapir (NE Spain). Environ Geol 53:1023–1035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marín A (1932) Boletín de Sondeos. IGME, Madrid 3(1):29–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Mottershead DN, Duane WJ, Inkpen RJ, Wright JS (2008) An investigation of the geometric controls on the morphological evolution of small-scale salt terrains, Cardona, Spain. Environ Geol 53:1091–1098

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NCB (1975) Subsidence engineers’ handbook. National Coal Board Mining Department, United Kingdom 111 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Nocita BW (1988) Soft-sediment deformation (fluid escape) features in a coarse-grained pyroclastic-surge deposit, north-central New Mexico. Sedimentology 35:275–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ortí F, Rosell L (1998) Unidades evaporíticas de la Cuenca de Calatayud (Mioceno inferior-medio, Zaragoza). Geogaceta 23:111–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Ortí F, Rosell L (2000) Evaporite systems and diagenetic patterns in the Calatayud basin (Miocene, Central Spain). Sedimentology 47:665–685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pando L, Pulgar JA, Gutiérrez-Claverol M (2013) A case of man-induced ground subsidence and building settlement related to karstified gypsum (Oviedo, NW Spain). Environ Earth Sci 68:507–519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Postma G (1983) Water escape structures in the context of a depositional model of a mass flow dominated conglomeratic fan-delta (Abrioja Formation, Pliocene, Almería Basin, Spain). Sedimentology 30:91–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvany JM (2009) Geología del yacimiento glauberítico de Montes de Torrero. Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 80 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanz-Rubio E, Hoyos M, Calvo JP, Sánchez-Moral S, Cañaveras JC, Sesé C (1997) Paleokarstificaciones y evolución de los sistemas deposicionales miocenos de la Cuenca de Calatayud. In: Alcalá L, Alonso-Zarza AM (eds) Itinerarios Geológicos en el Terciario del Centro y Este de la Península.). Excursiones del III Congreso del Grupo Español del Terciario, Cuenca, pp 109–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanz-Rubio E, Sánchez-Moral S, Cañaveras JC, Abdul-Aziz H, Calvo JP, Cuezva S, Mazo AV, Rouchy JM, Sesé C, van Dam J (2003) Síntesis de la cronoestratigrafía y evolución sedimentaria de los sistemas lacustres evaporíticos y carbonatados neógenos de la cuenca de Calatayud-Montalbán. Estud Geol 59:83–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Utrilla R, Pierre C, Ortí F, Pueyo JJ (1992) Oxygen and sulphur isotope compositions as indicators of the origin of Mesozoic and Cenozoic evaporites from Spain. Chem Geol (Isotope Geoscience Section) 102:229–244

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work has been supported by the Spanish national project CGL2010-16775 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and FEDER) and the regional project 2012/GA-LC-021 (DGA-La Caixa).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    Francisco Gutiérrez

Authors
  1. Francisco Gutiérrez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francisco Gutiérrez .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Earth Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    Francisco Gutiérrez

  2. Earth Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    Mateo Gutiérrez

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gutiérrez, F. (2014). Evaporite Karst in Calatayud, Iberian Chain. In: Gutiérrez, F., Gutiérrez, M. (eds) Landscapes and Landforms of Spain. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8628-7_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation