Riesgos naturales de origen geomorfológico en Cantabria

Abstract

ABSTRACT After flooding, landslides are the most important natural risk in Cantabria. They can cause human injury, economic devastation, and destroy construction works and cultural and natural heritage. The triggers of slope movements are the high rainfall and topography, but there are also other reasons which can explain slope movements, as human activities. The aim of this study is to describe a range of landslide samples throughout the region, in order to determine the risk level for population and propose some keys related with the risk treatment. Firstly, the document includes a set of sections which try to establish a first approach to understanding the natural hazard and its components, the slope movement assortment, the triggers and distribution in our region, and the most common measures used to avoid the disaster. Secondly, some of complex landslides in our region have been studied. Although some landslides may be fast moving and highly destructive, the majority involve much smaller masses, slower displacement and individually have considerably less impact. Considering this and the fact that most of events take place in depopulated areas, we can understand that public perception of landslide hazard does not correspond to reality. Each study case includes a geomorphological introduction with cartography and a brief description about historical risk situations, the hazard nowadays, as well as different remedial measures. Finally, the conclusions try to come up with some keys considering the landslide risk management in the land planning, because as the reader will see along the document, this will be the best way to treat the risk in Cantabria.