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The presence of radon in soil poses a significant health risk when it enters and concentrates indoors. The primary health problem associated with radon exposure is lung cancer, but it can also contribute to other respiratory issues. Estimating radon potential is a challenging task caused by the interaction of various environmental, geological, and variability factors. Although efforts are ongoing to improve radon potential assessment methodologies, there is a lack of software tools that estimate and model radon potential in different scenarios. The paper aims to develop a novel web-based software tool, RadonPotential, that predicts Geogenic Radon Potential by considering variations in climate and soil textures. The program runs using a constant radon concentration or estimates its concentration from the radium activity. RadonPotential calculates the transport of radon through a soil profile based on water content and soil texture. It also determines the dynamics of soil water content in different climates, incorporating long-term weather data under various climatic scenarios and local weather time series. The web-based format of the program increases its dissemination, usage, and manageability among a larger user base compared to an installable computer program. The program aims to provide a simplified and effective characterization of radon potential levels accessible to a wide range of scientists, technical experts and policymakers in developing strategies not only for radon measurement and mitigation buildings but also for developing more reliable large-scale radon potential maps.

La velocidad a la que actualmente se producen los avances tecnológicos conlleva que muchos equipos de adquisición de datos sísmicos puedan quedar obsoletos mucho antes de que acabe su vida útil real. Esto ocurre, por ejemplo, con los acelerógrafos Altus K2 de la marca Kinemetrics, que no están preparados para enviar las señales que registran al software de monitorización sísmica SeisComP, que actualmente se está convirtiendo en el estándar de facto que se utiliza en la mayoría de los observatorios sismológicos de todo el mundo. Para poder recuperar y poner en valor estos equipos, se propone la implementación de una pasarela de comunicaciones, que permita por una parte adquirir las señales sísmicas proporcionadas por los acelerógrafos Altus K2, y por otra enviarlos mediante el protocolo SeedLink a un servidor SeisComP. Se requiere que el sistema sea de bajo coste y bajo consumo, para que pueda ser trasladado al campo y permita la integración de las señales de los acelerógrafos en el sistema de monitorización de datos sísmicos en tiempo real SeisComP.

A partir de la Ley 2/2020 de la Generalitat Valenciana, el Institut Cartogràfic Valencià adquiere la responsabilidad de la creación y mantenimiento de la red sísmica de la Comunidad Valenciana. Dicha red se creará a partir de la ya existente Red Sísmica de la Universidad de Alicante (RSUA) y ampliará su cobertura espacial hasta cubrir todo el territorio de la Comunidad Valenciana. El objetivo de esta futura red, que se prevé plenamente operativa en el último trimestre de 2022, es servir de portal de información y concienciación del fenómeno sísmico en la comunidad, así como suministrar información científica útil para todos aquellos grupos de investigación interesados en la sismicidad y la tectónica activa en la Comunidad Valenciana., After the enact of Law 2/2020 of the Generalitat Valenciana, the Institut Cartogràfic Valencià acquires responsibility for the creation and maintenance of the seismic network of the Valencian Community. This network will be created from the already existing Seismic Network of the University of Alicante (RSUA) and will expand to cover the entire territory of the Valencian Community. The goal of this future network, which is expected to be fully operational in the last quarter of 2022, is to serve as a portal for information and awareness of the seismic phenomenon in the community, as well as to provide useful scientific information for all those research groups interested in seismicity and the active tectonics in the Valencian Community.

The present work is focused on basic electronics subjects and specifically on the understanding and interpretation of amplifier circuits based on bipolar junction transistors. In this context, students acquire the skills to identify the different configurations, algebraically analyze the circuit and obtain the necessary parameters to characterize the behavior of the amplifier. However, from a practical point of view, students have more difficulties in understanding and interpreting the connection between the theoretical concepts and the real behavior of the circuit. In this sense, the objective of this research work is to develop and provide students with an online simulation tool that allows them to interact with the amplifier circuits studied in the theory class and understand how they behave with different configurations, component values or signals. The incorporation of circuit simulation in theory class has been investigated by the authors themselves during several courses. Compared to other courses, in which these simulations were not introduced, an improvement was observed in the obtained results. Additionally, students positively valued the inclusion of these simulation tools in the theory class and considered that it helps them to better understand the theoretical concepts. From this survey, it was deduced that students would like to have these same simulation tools outside the classroom in order to complement the non-face-to-face study.

In this work, a wireless data acquisition system for seismic noise array measurements is presented. The developed system is composed of a series of nodes and a central server arranged in a point-to-multipoint topology. The nodes consist of a CC3200 microcontroller, an analog-to-digital converter, and a low-noise conditioning circuit designed specifically to register seismic noise, and which is connected to the seismic sensor. As a server, a Raspberry Pi 4B has been used that will receive the samples from the nodes via Wi-Fi and will save them in files. It also incorporates a Web interface developed with JavaScript node.js technology that allows to configure the number of nodes as well as different options, to start and stop the records, and to view in real time the different signals received from the nodes. The system can be deployed anywhere since each of the nodes use independent batteries as a power supply. In addition, it is possible to operate the system remotely if internet connectivity is available. The prototype has been tested in four different locations in the Alicante province (southeast Spain), demonstrating its suitability for seismic noise array measurements.

El presente estudio evalúa cómo el alumnado de la Universidad de Alicante interpreta el grado de incertidumbre asociado a las predicciones meteorológicas de viento y precipitación. En primer lugar, se ha comprobado la respuesta del alumnado ante la predicción determinista de la velocidad del viento y la cantidad de precipitación. En segundo lugar, se ha evaluado si el alumnado toma alguna medida ante distintas situaciones de riesgo relacionadas con dichos parámetros, tanto cuando la información se presenta en términos deterministas como de probabilidad. Los resultados indican que un pequeño porcentaje del alumnado espera pronósticos perfectos, mientras que la mayoría reconoce cierto grado de incertidumbre inherente a los pronósticos meteorológicos. En este sentido, el alumnado espera una desviación de ±5-10 km/h para la velocidad del viento, y de ±30 mm para el caso de la cantidad de precipitación. Por otro lado, el alumnado tomaría acciones de precaución ante situaciones de riesgo por fenómenos extremos de viento y precipitación, si bien hay una mayor variedad de respuestas en relación a cuándo y cómo el alumnado tomaría una acción determinada para la predicción de estos mismos parámetros meteorológicos expresados en términos de probabilidad.

En este estudio cuantitativo se evalúa cómo el alumnado de la Universidad de Alicante interpreta el grado de incertidumbre asociado a las predicciones meteorológicas de viento y precipitación. Para ello, se ha diseñado un cuestionario que incluye 8 preguntas que han sido respondidas por un total de 71 alumnos de grado y máster. En primer lugar, se ha comprobado la respuesta del alumnado ante la predicción determinista de la velocidad del viento y la cantidad de precipitación. En segundo lugar, se ha evaluado si el alumnado toma alguna medida ante distintas situaciones de riesgo relacionadas con dichos parámetros, tanto cuando la información es presentada en términos deterministas como cuando se presenta en términos de probabilidad. Los resultados indican que un pequeño porcentaje del alumnado espera pronósticos perfectos, mientras que la mayoría reconoce cierto grado de incertidumbre inherente a los pronósticos meteorológicos. En este sentido, el alumnado espera una desviación de ±5-10 km/h para la velocidad del viento, y de ±30 mm para el caso de la cantidad de precipitación. Así mismo, el alumnado tomaría acciones de precaución ante situaciones de riesgo por fenómenos extremos de viento y precipitación, aunque hay una mayor variedad de respuestas en cuanto a la probabilidad a la cual se tomaría una acción determinada para la predicción probabilística de estos parámetros meteorológicos.

This article presents a new wireless seismic sensor network system, especially design for building monitoring. The designed prototype allows remote control, and remote and real-time monitoring of the recorded signals by any internet browser. The system is formed by several Nodes (based on the CC3200 microcontroller of Texas Instruments), which are in charge of digitizing the ambient vibrations registered by three-component seismic sensors and transmitting them to a central server. This server records all the received signals, but also allows their real-time visualization in several remote client browsers thanks to the JavaScript’s Node.js technology. The data transmission uses not only Wi-Fi technology, but also the existing network resources that nowadays can be found usually in any official or residential building (lowering deployment costs). A data synchronization scheme was also implemented to correct the time differences between the Nodes, but also the long-term drifts found in the internal clock of the microcontrollers (improving the quality of records). The completed system is a low-cost, open-hardware and open-software design. The prototype was tested in a real building, recording ambient vibrations in several floors and observing the differences due to the building structure.

The reactivation of very large landslides may cause severe damage to society. Its prevention and management requires detailed information on the geometry and structure of these landslides, but the use of standard techniques (boreholes) may be prohibitive from an economic point of view. To overcome these difficulties, geophysical techniques are of special interest because they allow for studying very large areas at a reasonable cost. In this paper, we present a case study wherein the analysis of ambient noise allowed us to produce a model of a large landslide near Granada (southern Spain). The geometry and location of the failure zone, as well as the assessment of the state of involved materials, were estimated by combining two available boreholes and different geophysical techniques (downhole tests and the spectral analysis of ambient noise, horizontal to vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) and the frequency-wavenumber (f-k) methods). The results have allowed us to differentiate between values within the landslide mass with respect to those of stable materials, and to perform for the first time a comprehensive geological model of this unstable mass. Differences were also observed within the landslide mass (earth flow vs. slide zones), which are attributed to differences in the degree of alteration and the disturbance of the internal structure of materials constituting the landslide mass. These results show that techniques based on the measurement of ambient noise are of special interest for studying very large, highly remolded landslide masses.

Este trabajo evalúa cómo interpreta el alumnado de la Universidad de Alicante el grado de certidumbre asociado a las predicciones meteorológicas de temperatura. Por un lado, se ha comprobado la respuesta del alumnado ante las predicciones de temperatura presentadas en los medios de comunicación. Por otro lado, se ha evaluado si el alumnado toma alguna medida ante distintas situaciones de riesgo relacionadas con la temperatura, cuando esta información es presentada en términos deterministas o de probabilidad. Los resultados indican que el alumnado espera un grado de incertidumbre de entre 1 y 2 ºC en los pronósticos de estos parámetros atmosféricos cuando son presentados en términos deterministas. Además, el alumnado muestra una mayor confianza en la predicción de temperatura mínima que en la máxima. Finalmente, el alumnado tomaría acciones de precaución ante situaciones de riesgo por temperaturas extremas, aunque las respuestas varían cuando esta predicción se presenta en términos probabilísticos.

En este trabajo se evalúa cómo el alumnado de la Universidad de Alicante interpreta el grado de certidumbre asociado a la predicciones meteorológicas de temperatura. Para ello, se ha diseñado un cuestionario que incluye 8 preguntas que han sido respondidas por un total de 71 alumnos de grado y máster. En primer lugar, se ha comprobado la respuesta del alumnado ante la predicción de temperatura, tal y como son presentadas habitualmente a través de distintos medios de comunicación. En segundo lugar, se ha evaluado si el alumnado toma alguna medida ante distintas situaciones de riesgo relacionadas con la temperatura, tanto cuando es presentada en términos deterministas como cuando se presenta en términos de probabilidad. De esta forma, se pretende comprobar la fiabilidad que percibe el alumnado en los pronósticos actuales de las temperaturas máximas y mínimas. Los resultados indican que el alumnado espera un grado de incertidumbre de entre 1 y 2 ºC en los pronósticos de estos parámetros atmosféricos cuando son presentados en términos deterministas. Además, los resultados parecen mostrar una mayor confianza en la predicción de temperatura mínima que en la máxima. Así mismo, el alumnado tomaría acciones de precaución ante situaciones de riesgo por temperaturas extremas, si bien hay una mayor variedad de respuestas cuando esta predicción se presenta en términos de probabilidad.

The south and south-east of Spain are the regions with a higher seismic hazard in Spain. However, although a regional normative focused on the importance of developing seismic emergency planning in many of the municipalities of the Valencian Community was established in 2011, only Elche and Alicante have started to compute the seismic risk and it is planned that their emergency plans will be finished before the end of 2019. The seismic hazard update in the region has shown that the main earthquake scenarios, which will hit both cities, correspond to the Crevillente and the Bajo Segura faults (also responsible of damaging historical earthquakes). The main goal of the developed emergency planning (PAM) is to provide a fast, effective and coordinate response from the public and private stakeholders when a damaging earthquake happen. Assuring, therefore, the maximum protection to the inhabitants and infrastructures in the urban area. The basic functions of the PAM are: a) To establish clearly the organizational and functional structure for intervention in emergencies due to earthquakes that affect the territory; b) To assure the coordination between the emergency agencies at the national, regional and urban level; c) To map a seismic risk zonation that can be used to plan the intervention and locate non-damage infrastructures to be used in the emergency; d) To Increase the population resilience through emergency procedure and education.

El uso de resultados de modelos numéricos como recurso para el estudio de conceptos complejos en asignaturas relacionadas con la Meteorología está ampliamente extendido. En concreto, en lo referente a las predicciones meteorológicas. El propósito del presente estudio es explorar la confianza que tiene el alumnado matriculado en este tipo de áreas del conocimiento en dichas predicciones. Para ello, se ha utilizado un enfoque cuantitativo y método no experimental a través de una encuesta. Se recoge así información relacionada con el medio de comunicación preferente utilizado por el alumnado para obtener este tipo de previsiones, así como información relacionada con la percepción y valoración de los estudiantes de las predicciones meteorológicas así como de la incertidumbre asociada. La muestra se compone de 157 individuos pertenecientes a las universidades de Alicante (n = 73) y Valencia (n = 84). Los resultados indican que el alumnado solo experimenta previsiones incorrectas algunas veces o incluso raramente y muestra una idea clara de la incertidumbre. Estos resultados están de acuerdo con estudios simulares llevados a cabo en otros países.

Las predicciones meteorológicas son herramientas utilizadas por el alumnado de asignaturas relacionadas con la Meteorología y Oceanografía para visualizar e interpretar conceptos físicos complejos. Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar en qué medida el alumnado del Grado en Ciencias del Mar de la Universidad de Alicante está familiarizado con las previsiones meteorológicas y su incertidumbre asociada. En este estudio hemos seguido un enfoque cuantitativo y método no experimental, mediante encuesta, que incluye un total de 4 preguntas realizadas a 73 alumnos del grado. Estas cuestiones han sido previamente validadas en estudios anteriores desarrollados en otros países y contextos. El análisis de resultados se centra en la descripción de frecuencias y porcentajes de respuestas, así como en la aplicación de pruebas no paramétricas dentro del entorno de computación estadístico R. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el alumnado percibe la incertidumbre asociada a los pronósticos meteorológicos, así como su tendencia a aumentar para mayores alcances temporales de previsión. Esto se corresponde con las evidencias científicas encontradas en relación a las previsiones a largo plazo. Por otro lado, el alumnado valora de forma positiva las predicciones meteorológicas actuales, y hace uso de medios de comunicación selectivos de forma mayoritaria para la consulta de dichas predicciones.

The characterization of soil is essential for the evaluation of seismic hazard, because soil properties strongly influence the damage caused by earthquakes. Methods based on seismic noise are the most commonly used in soil characterization. Concretely, methods based on seismic noise array measurements allow for the estimation of Rayleigh wave dispersion curves and, subsequently, shear-wave velocity profiles. The equipment required for the application of this technique is usually very expensive, which could be a significant economic challenge for small research groups. In this work, we have developed a wireless multichannel seismic noise recorder system (Geophonino-W), which is suitable for array measurements. Each station includes a microcontroller board (Arduino), a conditioning circuit, an Xbee module, an SD card, and a GPS module. Several laboratory tests were carried out in order to study the performance of the Geophonino-W: A frequency response test (impulse response and noise); synchronization test; and battery duration test. Comparisons of Geophonino-W with the commercial systems and field measurements were also carried out. The estimated dispersion curves obtained using the proposed system were compared with the ones obtained using other commercial equipment, demonstrating the effectiveness of Geophonino-W for seismic noise array measurements. Geophonino-W is an economic open-source and hardware system that is available to any small research group or university.

The analysis of seismic noise provides a reliable estimation of the soil properties, which supposes the starting point for the assessment of the seismic hazard. The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio technique calculates the resonant frequency of the soil just by using a single three-component sensor. Array measurements require at least several vertical sensors registering simultaneously and their analysis provides an estimation of the surface waves dispersion curve. Although these methods are relatively cheaper than other geotechnical techniques, the cost of the sensors and the multi-channel data acquisition system means that small research groups cannot afford this kind of equipment. In this work, two prototypes for registering seismic noise have been developed and implemented: a three-channel acquisition system, optimized for working with three-component sensors; and a twelve-channel acquisition system, prepared for working simultaneously with twelve vertical geophones. Both prototypes are characterized by being open-hardware, open-software, easy to implement, and low-cost. The main aim is to provide a data acquisition system that can be reproduced and applied by any research group. Both developed prototypes have been tested and compared with other commercial equipment, showing their suitability to register seismic noise and to estimate the soil characteristics.

South and South-East of Spain are the regions with a higher seismic hazard in Spain. Therefore, a regional normative, focused on the importance of developing seismic emergency planning in many of the municipalities of the Valencian community, was established in 2011. consequently, all the municipalities in Alicante province have to develop a seismic emergency planning. however, only Elche and Alicante have completed the seismic risk analysis and they have started to prepare their emergency plans which will be finished before the end of 2019. This paper shows the main results of the seismic risk analysis carried out in both municipalities. The seismic hazard update in the region has shown that the main earthquake scenarios, which may hit both cities, correspond to the crevillente and the Bajo Segura faults (also responsible for damaging historical earthquakes). In both cases, the urban areas are on a sedimentary deposit, which can reach hundreds of meters so site effects and possible site-building resonance can be important. Additionally, most of the building stock belongs to periods without seis- mic normative, increasing, therefore, their vulnerability and the obtained damage. The mean damage ratio for a magnitude of 5.5 increases from a 0.8% to a 10.3% at Alicante and Elche, respectively. Besides, if the magnitude increases to a 6.5 then the mean damage ratio increases from a 16.6% to a 60.3%. In conclusion, we recommend that the emergency planning developed for both municipalities has to take into consideration that even the occurrence of a probable earthquake (475 yrs return period) corresponding to a mw 5.5 will affect both cities so the procedures and protocols should be written in close cooperation.

A través de la presente investigación se pretende, además de llevar a cabo una caracterización sismotectónica del reborde septentrional de Crevillent, analizar la peligrosidad sísmica del municipio en base a la aplicación de una serie de métodos científicos (determinísticos, probabilísticos, EDS) y, a su vez, complementar los objetivos anteriores a través de la plasmación de un estudio vinculado al Riesgo Sísmico del municipio, profundizando para ello en la componente de vulnerabilidad. Dentro del apartado de la vulnerabilidad, se analizarán aspectos como por ejemplo la situación sociodemográfica actual del municipio, la vulnerabilidad sísmica de su parcelario urbano, la situación administrativo-legal del mismo en materia de riesgos o el papel que adquiere el enfoque de la Gobernanza del Riesgo, mostrando de esta manera la actual estructura organizativa de Crevillent así como los déficits que imposibilitan una buena gobernabilidad o gobernanza de los riesgos naturales. Finalmente, se expondrán las principales conclusiones a las que se ha llegado una vez efectuado el estudio.

The characterization of soil is essential for the evaluation of seismic hazard, because soil properties strongly influence the damage caused by earthquakes. Methods based on seismic noise are the most commonly used in soil characterization. Concretely, methods based on seismic noise array measurements allow for the estimation of Rayleigh wave dispersion curves and, subsequently, shear-wave velocity profiles. The equipment required for the application of this technique is usually very expensive, which could be a significant economic challenge for small research groups. In this work, we have developed a wireless multichannel seismic noise recorder system (Geophonino-W), which is suitable for array measurements. Each station includes a microcontroller board (Arduino), a conditioning circuit, an Xbee module, an SD card, and a GPS module. Several laboratory tests were carried out in order to study the performance of the Geophonino-W: A frequency response test (impulse response and noise); synchronization test; and battery duration test. Comparisons of Geophonino-W with the commercial systems and field measurements were also carried out. The estimated dispersion curves obtained using the proposed system were compared with the ones obtained using other commercial equipment, demonstrating the effectiveness of Geophonino-W for seismic noise array measurements. Geophonino-W is an economic open-source and hardware system that is available to any small research group or university., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

The analysis of seismic noise provides a reliable estimation of the soil properties, which supposes the starting point for the assessment of the seismic hazard. The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio technique calculates the resonant frequency of the soil just by using a single three-component sensor. Array measurements require at least several vertical sensors registering simultaneously and their analysis provides an estimation of the surface waves dispersion curve. Although these methods are relatively cheaper than other geotechnical techniques, the cost of the sensors and the multi-channel data acquisition system means that small research groups cannot afford this kind of equipment. In this work, two prototypes for registering seismic noise have been developed and implemented: a three-channel acquisition system, optimized for working with three-component sensors; and a twelve-channel acquisition system, prepared for working simultaneously with twelve vertical geophones. Both prototypes are characterized by being open-hardware, open-software, easy to implement, and low-cost. The main aim is to provide a data acquisition system that can be reproduced and applied by any research group. Both developed prototypes have been tested and compared with other commercial equipment, showing their suitability to register seismic noise and to estimate the soil characteristics., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

Structural damage computation using analytical methods requires the knowledge of the ground motion distribution in the urban area caused by a given earthquake. In this manuscript, the ground motion estimates (i.e. PGA and spectral acceleration values) are obtained through simulation of the 1829 Torrevieja earthquake using the NGA ground motion prediction equations (GMPE). The building stock under consideration has been classified according to the methodology presented in RISK-UE. The computations have been done using the last version of the software SELENA. The epistemic uncertainties of the analysis are accounted for by means of a logic tree computation scheme. The logic tree has two branches for the uncertainty in the earthquake scenario, two branches for the GMPEs and three branches to consider the uncertainties in average shear wave velocity Vs30 (soil conditions). Results indicate large differences derived for the different earthquake loss scenarios (ELE) obtained following each branch of the logic tree. The greatest structural damages and losses are obtained when the earthquake is located in the Bajo Segura fault zone, using Campbell and Bozorgnia GMPE and for soft soil conditions. This article has allowed us to see how the different possible input parameters for ELE should be carefully analyzed for each case study and the importance of providing ELE results in terms of mean values with corresponding uncertainty ranges.

Earthquake effects are strongly related with the properties of the local geology, amplifying the ground motion, especially in soft soils. This amplification is connected with the resonant frequency, which can be estimated applying the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (H/V) method on seismic noise measurements. In this work, a low-cost user-friendly data acquisition system (Geophonino-3D) has been designed for three-component seismic noise recording. The developed system consists of the signal conditioning circuit and the Arduino Due with an SD Shield for data storage. The suitability of the equipment for the application of the H/V method has been first assessed in the laboratory, according to the experimental sensitivity, the internal noise stability and the channel consistency. Subsequently, experimental verification has been carried out by recording seismic noise at eight different sites along the province of Alicante (southeast Spain), with different soil characteristics. The performance of the developed acquisition system has been evaluated in terms of the power spectral density and the H/V peaks by comparison with the results obtained through a commercial seismic recorder. The obtained results show the applicability of the developed acquisition system to record seismic noise and to apply the H/V method. Geophonino-3D is an open source and open hardware system and the price of its components is much lower than any other commercial equipment, which becomes a significant advance especially for small research groups with reduced economic support.

Actualmente, el alumnado de titulaciones de Ciencias e Ingeniería muestra una gran dificultad para el aprendizaje de determinados conceptos teóricos, que no pueden observarse mediante aplicaciones prácticas durante las sesiones de teoría o de laboratorio. En este trabajo profundizamos la investigación realizada durante el curso 2015-16 (Molina et al., 2016a), en la que se diseñaron instrumentos y aplicaciones, usando TIC, para poder introducir experimentos prácticos dentro de un aula de teoría (o un laboratorio) y con los que el alumnado pudiera interactuar, reforzando el aprendizaje teórico. Para ello se han seleccionados conceptos complejos en varias asignaturas y el proceso de aprendizaje se ha llevado a cabo comparando los resultados antes y después del uso de las TIC y analizando las debilidades y fortalezas asociadas al proceso. Los resultados demuestran las ventajas de su uso puesto que los resultados del aprendizaje y el interés del alumnado mejoran notablemente, así como su actitud hacia la utilidad del concepto. Sin embargo, también se observan debilidades importantes relacionadas fundamentalmente con las dificultades que el alumnado presenta al usar aplicaciones informáticas, la dificultad de mantener la atención y la motivación en el aula y con la falta de base en Física, Química y Matemáticas.

En este trabajo presentamos una herramienta que permite simular de forma rápida Escenarios de Daño Sísmico (EDS) a partir de cualquier terremoto que se produzca dentro de la Comunidad Valenciana. Para su diseño se ha empleado la aplicación Model Builder de ArcGIS. Los datos de entrada necesarios para la simulación son: el terremoto, la cartografía litológica, los municipios con el censo de edificios, unas matrices de probabilidad de daño y el censo de población por municipios. Mediante el uso de leyes de atenuación de ondas sísmicas y teniendo en cuenta el efecto de sitio se calcula la sacudida sufrida en términos de intensidad sísmica (EMS-98). Posteriormente se obtienen los daños sufridos por los edificios (leves, moderados y graves) mediante la aplicación de matrices de probabilidad de daño. Finalmente se calculan los daños a la población (heridos leves, heridos graves, muertos y personas sin hogar) utilizando la metodología ATC-13 propuesta por el ATC (Consejo de Tecnología Aplicada) de California. Los resultados obtenidos se representan en varios mapas. De esta forma se ha implementado una herramienta de gran utilidad para estudios orientados a la planificación municipal ante el riesgo sísmico, como pueden ser los Planes de Actuación de Protección Civil., In this paper we present a tool which allows a quick simulation of Seismic Damage Scenarios (SDS) from any earthquake occurred within Valencian Community. For its design we have used ArcGIS Model Builder application. The input data required for the simulation are: the earthquake, the lithological cartography, municipalities with their building census, a damage probability matrices and the municipalities’ population census. Using seismic wave attenuation laws and considering the local effect, the tool calculates the seismic shaking expressed in seismic intensity (EMS-98). Then, with the Vulnerability Index Method (VIM) it obtains building damages (mild, moderated and serious) through the application of damage probability matrices. Finally, population damages (people with minor or serious injuries, deads and homeless) are calculated using the ATC-13 method proposed by the ATC (Applied Technology Council). Obtained results are represented in several maps. In this way we have implemented a useful tool in studies of municipal planning for facing seismic risk, like Protección Civil Actuation Plans.

El Arenal del Almorxó en la localidad de Petrer es un punto singular de la geología de la provincia de Alicante. Se trata del último arenal activo de una serie de arenales de interior que existían a principios del siglo XX a lo largo del valle del Vinalopó. Se encuentra en retroceso por pérdida de aportes y el desarrollo de una cubierta vegetal está fijando la duna. Al ser un símbolo de la localidad de Petrer se han establecido cinco figuras de protección medioambiental para proteger el ecosistema. Los aportes de sedimento se han reducido por la urbanización del entorno. Sin embargo, esta protección aceleró el proceso de fijación de la duna por la vegetación. En un intento de prolongar su actividad se han realizado unos arranques selectivos de vegetación. En un futuro cercano, dejará de ser activo y quedará cubierto por la vegetación, perdiendo por tanto, su singularidad. Se trata de un ejemplo donde la protección de un paisaje ha acelerado su cambio. Se propone flexibilizar la protección para su conservación., The Almorxó Dune in the locality of Petrer is a singular outcrop of the Geology of the Alicante Province. It is the last active sand dune of many ancient ones that existed along the Vinalopó Valley at the start of the XX century. It is in decline due to loss of inputs and the development of a plant cover that fixes the dune. As considered a symbol of the town of Petrer five environmental protection framework had been established to protect the ecosystem. The sediment inputs have been reduced by the real state development of the surroundings. However, this protection accelerated the process of dune fixation by vegetation. In an attempt to prolong its activity there have been some selective vegetation plucks. In the near future will no longer be active and will be covered by vegetation, thus losing its uniqueness. This is an example where protection of a landscape has accelerated its change. A more flexible protection is proposed for its conservation.

La isla de Tabarca (Alicante, SE España) se caracteriza por su planicie y su litoral conformado por pequeños acantilados. Es un promontorio emergido del alto de Santa Pola formado por rocas del Complejo Alpujárride y sedimentos del Mioceno Superior. La superficie actual de la isla se interpreta como un terraza marina formada durante el evento isotópico marino 5e al presentar restos de fauna marina que indican una edad tirreniense. En la actualidad se está formando una superficie erosiva que, comenzando en la costa actual, llega hasta la profundidad de 7 m. Entre 7 y 19 m de profundidad se desarrolla un escarpe erosivo interpretado como formada durante y tras el evento frío de 8,2 ka. Al pie de dicho escarpe, entre 15 y 25 m de profundidad, se desarrolla una terraza submarina asociada. Por último, entre 60 y 70 m de profundidad se sitúa otro escarpe erosivo, con una terraza submarina a su pie, a 70 m de profundidad que se interpreta como formada durante el periodo frío del Younger Dryas. Estos dos últimos, se encuentran mayoritariamente recubiertos por sedimentos más recientes pero, en algunas zonas del alto de Santa Pola, sigue aflorando el escarpe submarino., The Tabarca Island (Alicante, SE España) is characterized by its planar surface and its coastline of small cliffs. It is a high promontory emerged of the Santa Pola High formed by of Alpujarride Complex rocks and Upper Miocene sediments. The plain of the island is interpreted as a marine terrace formed during the 5e marine isotope stage (MIS) as remains of marine fauna indicate a tyrrhenian age. Today an erosional surface is developing, starting at the current coastline and reaching 7 m deep. Between 7 and 19 m deep, an erosional escarpment interpreted as originated during and after the 8.2 ka cold event. At the foot of the escarpment, between 15 and 25 m deep, the associated marine terrace develops. Finally, between 60 and 70 m deep other erosional escarpment is located, with a marine terrace to his foot, 70 m deep, which is interpreted as formed during the Younger Dryas cold period. Recent sediments mostly cover these last ones but, in some areas of the Santa Pola High, the escarpment still outcrops.