The influence of climate on gravitational processes within the Jiu river valley: G.I.S. applications

The dynamics of gravitational processes (e.g. landslides) is altered due to variation in climatic parameters. We have recorded an increasing number of such events which affect human settlements. The most important aspect that has to be emphasized is the way gravitational processes change and condition land utilization. Due to these circumstances, the analysis of these processes has great importance within the middle sector of the Jiu Valley. In order to correlate the occurrence of gravitational processes with climatic data, we have been collecting data within this valley sector during the last 15 years. The aim of this study is to describe the succession and dynamics of present processes, which should act as an alarm signal for local authorities to take adequate mitigating measures. We observe an increase in the mean annual temperature and the mean amplitude (by approximately 1†C), in addition to the frequency and severity of dry years (1992, 2000), and the frequency of rain showers. We correlate these data with knowledge of the lithology, morphometry, and piezometric levels in order to identify areas with a high potential for gravitational processes using a Geographical Information System (G.I.S.). This analysis allows us to draw a map rendering each layer separately — lithology, pedology, slope, vegetation etc. We present a map that emphasizes the areas with high potential for the development of gravitational processes in the region of the Jiu valley.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

2 more references, whose wording the paper’s licence keeps private.

A person counts once a day per paper. We keep no cookie and no address: a reader is a hash that changes every day. Any month under five reads shows no number.