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Copyright of Cuaternario y Geomorfología is the property of Cuaternario y Geomorfologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents a geomorphological analysis of the littoral zone of the Arosa-Pontevedra estuary mouth and identifies geomorphological units and categorizes them into morphogenetic systems. The different morphogenetic systems are used to establish a comprehensive evolutionary analysis, contrasting the depositional systems found in the continental littoral zone with the marine erosional systems (‘rasas’). The compiled cartography groups the geomorphological units into the following: the lithoestructural morphogenetic system with large-scale forms (domes, inselbergs, residual relief, etc.) and small-scale forms (gnammas, tafoni, channels, etc.); the littoral morphogenetic system comprised of marine (marine terraces, beaches, tidal bars, tombolos and coastal arrows), transition (marshes, lagoons and fan deltas) and eolian (dune systems) settings; the fluvial morphogenetic system with channelled (alluvial, flood plain and river terraces), transition (alluvial fans and alluvial cones) and sheet flood (pediments and glacis) systems; the gravitational morphogenetic system (colluvium); and the alteration morphogenetic system (sand-alteration). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper discusses possibilities to improve the Environmental Seismic Intensity Scale (ESI-07 scale), a scale based on the effects of earthquakes in the environment. This scale comprises twelve intensity degrees and considers primary and secondary effects, one of them the occurrence of tsunamis. Terminology and physical tsunami parameters corresponding to different intensity levels are often misleading and confusing. The present work proposes: i) a revised and updated catalogue of environmental and geological effects of tsunamis, gathering all the available information on Tsunami Environmental Effects (TEEs) produced by recent earthquake-tsunamis; ii) a specific intensity scale (TEE-16) for the effects of tsunamis in the natural environment at coastal areas. The proposed scale could be used in future tsunami events and, in historic and paleo-tsunami studies. The new TEE- 16 scale incorporates the size specific parameters already considered in the ESI-07 scale, such as wave height, run-up and inland extension of inundation, and a comprehensive and more accurate terminology that covers all the different intensity levels identifiable in the geological record (intensities VI-XII). The TEE-16 scale integrates the description and quantification of the potential sedimentary and erosional features (beach scours, transported boulders and classical tsunamites) derived from different tsunami events at diverse coastal environments (e.g. beaches, estuaries, rocky cliffs,). This new approach represents an innovative advance in relation to the tsunami descriptions provided by the ESI-07 scale, and allows the full application of the proposed scale in paleoseismological studies. The analysis of the revised and updated tsunami environmental damage suggests that local intensities recorded in coastal areas do not correlate well with the TEE-16 intensity (normally higher), but shows a good correlation with the earthquake magnitude (Mw). Tsunamis generated by earthquakes can then be considered efficient processes in the direct transference of the "energy" released by offshore seismogenic sources to the nearest coastal areas, even over distances of hundreds of kilometres (>200km). This scale, as the previous ones, is independent of the earthquake type (i.e. style of faulting) and only focuses on the environmental effects triggered by tsunamis of seismic origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cartographic analysis of the hazard of erosion is a useful tool for the planning and management of natural parks, helping to establish measures for protection and correction. Such parks, which offer spectacular landscape views and natural beauty, must be conserved with all their resources. Accordingly, park managers must have the cartographic tools for hazard planning, which is necessary for the rational and sustainable handling of human activities and the establishment of preventive and corrective measures. The present work describes a cartographic procedure using GIS that determines the risk of aeolian erosion. The method was applied to two protected natural parks in the central mountain system in Spain. This cartographic method revealed a weak risk of hazard of erosion in low-lying areas or valley floors, with increasing risk in areas of deflation. These areas were explored by mapping geomorphological domains and slopes, characterising different surficial deposits: colluvium, piedmonts, debris cone, alluvial fans and river terraces. Aeolian erosion on cultivated surfaces with gentle slopes was observed to be low, but in sectors with little agricultural activity and undulated reliefs, the hazard of erosion is important owing to the high analytical and textural erodibility and scant vegetation cover of these sectors. These parameters were studied on the basis of the mapping of soils and soil profiles. Additionally, the cartography of vegetation and the wind index in the cartographic procedure allowed for the different degrees of aeolian erosion to be better quantified. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuaternario y Geomorfología is the property of Cuaternario y Geomorfologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents a mapping procedure for risk mapping of water and wind erosion, which helps to identify protective measures needed in the planning and management of natural parks. The map of water erosion risk was developed by combining the original and revised universal soil loss equation methodologies (USLE-RUSLE), and the map of wind erosion risk was developed using Quirantes' method Using GIS techniques allows parametric characterisation of the factors involved in the processes of soil degradation. The validation procedure was carried out in two natural parks in the Spanish Central System. Integration of the two maps resulted in a risk map of water and wind erosion. This mapping shows a high risk of water erosion in areas of high slopes and elevations with little agricultural activity and undulating reliefs. The risk of wind erosion is lower in sectors with analytical and textural high erodibility and low vegetation cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trying to decipher how paleoseismic activity has influenced the altitudinal disposition of interglacial deposits is one of the main challenges to be confronted before quantifying relative sea-level changes between consecutive highstands. At the same time, identifying paleoseismic features in an area with low instrumental seismic activity can complement the seismic record, thereby contributing to better seismic hazard knowledge. In this regard, Cope Basin (SE Spain) meets all the requirements necessary for these kinds of analysis, firstly on account of its excellent outcrop conditions and secondly, because its sea level record is undoubtedly conditioned by both factors: climatically driven changes and local and regional seismotectonics. The morpho-sedimentary sequence presented in this paper provides evidence from three different highstands: two littoral sedimentary units separated by terrestrial deposits and affected by liquefaction (paleoseismic activity), and a younger paleo-cliff and its associated wave-cut platform carved into those sedimentary units. This wave-cut platform now tilted and folded, reaches heights ranging from 0 to +8 m, which has been interpreted as a consequence of cosesimic effect. The age of this wave-cut platform (Last Interglacial or Holocene) supports uplift rate estimations of from 0.016 to 0.15 mm/yr since the Last Interglacial/Holocene. Active deformation observed on Pleistocene-Holocene sea-level geomarkers can not only furnish useful information about seismic activity within the major structure of the Aguilas Arc, but also offer new insight into the Cope Basin's geodynamic model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]