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Application of geomorphologic knowledge for erosion hazard mapping

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Abstract

An erosion hazard map was elaborated using geomorphologic and lithological information; this was the base to characterize the erodibility of the territory. The aim of the proposed methodology is to define the areas where more detailed studies are necessary (e.g., to estimate rates of soil erosion, mitigation measurements, land use) to prevent future problems. Field work and remote sensing data (study of historical aerial photographs and satellite images) were used to understand the geomorphologic evolution and the current processes taking place in an area; this information was used to group the units according to its lithology, dynamic and slope inclination. The map was processed using the geographical information system and categorized in zones of very high, high, moderate, low and null fluvial erosion hazards. The map covers the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, which is experiencing serious problems of mass wasting processes, collapse and settlements of foundations. Most affected areas belong to the Tierra Blanca Joven tephras which are unsaturated and cover most of the surface; nowadays, the urban projects and infrastructure resting in this material are suffering from extensive damage. The geotechnical information on the tephras shows a decrease in strength and collapsible behavior when saturated. Due to this, the use of Quickdraw tensiometers (suction) and TMS3 (soil moisture content) is proposed for monitoring. The methodology of erosion hazard mapping correlates well with mass wasting reported in the studied area, and for this reason, it could be a good way to protect the natural resources and improve the land use.

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Acknowledgments

The work had been funded in the framework of cooperation between the Czech Embassy in Costa Rica, Oficina de Planificación del Área Metropolitana de San Salvador (OPAMSS), Czech Geological Survey, Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT), Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales de El Salvador (MARN) and Universidad de El Salvador (UES). Authors acknowledge support of the Czech Geological Survey, Oficina de Planificación del Área Metropolitana de San Salvador (OPAMSS), Agronomy Faculty and Civil Engineer School of Universidad de El Salvador and the Geological Survey of the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales de El Salvador (MARN). Special thanks go to Cecy, Andres and Daniel Chávez for assistance during this project. We are grateful to the reviewers and editors whose remarks improved the quality of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Geotechnics, Thákurova 7, 166 29 Prague 6, Prague, Czech Republic

    José Alexander Chávez Hernandez

  2. Oficina de Planificación del Área Metropolitana de San Salvador (OPAMSS), Diagonal San Carlos 15 Avenida Norte y 25 Calle Poniente Col. Layco, San Salvador, El Salvador

    José Alexander Chávez Hernandez

  3. Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 118 21, Prague 1, Czech Republic

    Jiři Šebesta

  4. Department of Mechanics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Thákurova 7, 166 29, Prague 6, Czech Republic

    Lubomir Kopecky

  5. Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de El Salvador, Ciudad Universitaria, Final Av. Héroes y Mártires del 30 de Julio, San Salvador, El Salvador

    Reynaldo López Landaverde

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  1. José Alexander Chávez Hernandez
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  2. Jiři Šebesta
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  3. Lubomir Kopecky
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  4. Reynaldo López Landaverde
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Correspondence to José Alexander Chávez Hernandez.

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Chávez Hernandez, J.A., Šebesta, J., Kopecky, L. et al. Application of geomorphologic knowledge for erosion hazard mapping. Nat Hazards 71, 1323–1354 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-013-0948-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-013-0948-8

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