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Call for Papers for the semi-thematic N° 67: (Re)defining rural territories, between the global South and North: actors, processes, scales.

Full papers are invited to be submitted via the journal's official platform by 15 March 2024.

For more information, please check this link

Natural hazard assessment in semi-arid environment, based on the geomorphology and modeling of topographic index. Salamanca, Coquimbo Region, Chile

Authors

  • María Victoria Soto Bäuerle Departamento de Geografía, Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad de Chile, Santiago
  • Michael Märker Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Vegetali, del Suolo e dell’Ambiente Agroforestale (DIPSA), Universitá degli studi di Firenze, Florencia
  • Joselyn Arriagada González Departamento de Geografía, Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad de Chile, Santiago
  • Carmen Paz Castro Correa Departamento de Geografía, Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad de Chile, Santiago
  • Giuliano Rodolfi Universitá degli studi di Firenze, Florencia

Abstract

In the framework of territorial transformations in the Choapa river valley, we analyze the dynamics of geomorphic processes on basin scale. Special attention is given to changes due to human activities. In semiarid environments, both natural and anthropic landscapes have an immediate dynamic response to varying intensity and impact of rainfall events such as the phenomenon of El Niño. Intensive farming on hillsides, cones and glacis, is an emerging industry, inducing transformations of topography, vegetation and soil. We analyze the current geomorphology characterized by inherited forms, features and their process dynamics. Geomorphological and topographical models are applied to assess the relevant morphodynamics. The models yield information on the natural hazard of mass movements and fl uvially triggred erosion processes for the two study areas Salamanca and Panguesillo.    

Keywords:

slope system, aluvial fan, glacis, hazard