Geomorphological hazards susceptibility in high-density urban areas: a case study of Mexico City
Fecha
2020-10
Tipo
artículo original
Autores
García Soriano, Daniel
Quesada Román, Adolfo
Zamorano Orozco, José Juan
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ISSN de la revista
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Editor
Resumen
Developing countries face more impacts due to natural hazards because of rapid urbanization, natural resources
overexploitation, and lack of territorial management. Mexico City is one of the most populated metropolitan
areas of the world and in addition, due to its geophysical dynamics and increasing vulnerability, is frequently
impacted by natural disasters. Every year, various natural hazards affect Iztapalapa district, the most densely
populated political-administrative unit in Mexico, and represent a high risk for approximately two million inhabitants.
We used various geomorphic analyses to develop a feasible methodology to reduce the disaster risk in
Iztapalapa district. In order to understand the general geomorphic dynamic of Iztapalapa district, we defined
three geomorphological regions: the lacustrine plain, the volcanic piedmont, and the mountain area. Afterwards,
we developed a geomorphological mapping based on LiDAR and aerial photographs to obtain thirty landforms
divided into endogenic and exogenic landforms, both erosional and depositional, at 1:20,000 scale. Based on
these maps, we described four geomorphological hazard zonation for floods, subsidence, soil fractures, and
rockfalls in Iztapalapa district. The higher occurrence of subsidence, soil fractures and floods are in the palustrine
plains, while rockfalls are associated with volcanic slopes. This study provides important input for local and
regional stakeholders on territorial and risk management. Moreover, this practical methodology can be applied
in other countries to facilitate disaster risk assessments.
Descripción
Palabras clave
Geomorphological mapping, Urban geomorphology, NATURAL DISASTERS, DEVELOPING COUNTRIES