Interactions between fluvial dynamics and scarp retreat in the Central Ebro Basin during MCA and LIA periods: Palaeogeographical and geoarchaeological reconstruction

Peña-Monné, Jose Luís; Sampietro-Vattuone, María Marta; Longares-Aladrén, Luis Alberto; Fabre, Miguel Sánchez; Constante, Ana

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2021.110301

Cited by 6 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…This arrangement of the river concentrates all its hydraulic energy during floods in the central bulge. However, during the LIA, the river circulated fully attached to the escarpment along its entire length (Peña-Monné et al, 2021), as shown on the De Rodolphe map (1746) (Figs. 4c, 5a).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…There are many records of residual deposits of alluvial fans of tributaries of the Ebro River that converge at the scarp foot (Constante, 2009;Constante et al, 2009Constante et al, , 2010. These fans were formed from at least the Chalcolitic with successive overlapping of deposits of Bronze, Roman and Medieval ages (Peña-Monné et al, 2021). This long sedimentary sequence shows a continued evolution uninterrupted by the erosion produced by the Ebro River.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Along the gypsum scarp several ravines coming from the Montes de Castejón and the scarpment itself flow to the Ebro River (Peña-Monné et al, 2021). In the study area highlights Val de la Virgen stream.…”

Section: Geological and Geomorphological Settingsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Some authors have also related it to subsidence processes (Gutiérrez, 1998;Benito et al, 2000). However, other authors hold that it is the result of the lateral fluvial erosion of the Ebro River meanders (Peña Monné, 1996;Guerrero and Gutiérrez, 2017;Peña-Monné et al, 2021). Its detailed morphology stemmed from the activity of the slope processes triggered by the strong gradient, the fractures, and the lithology, as well as the basal erosion produced by the river.…”

Section: Geological and Geomorphological Settingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1). This relief is part of a continuous 70-km-long scarp located at the north of Zaragoza city (Peña-Monné et al, 2021). The Medieval remains of the main El Castellar castle are perched on a cliff of more than 100 m high over the Ebro River, being one of the most impressive landscapes of the Ebro depression (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Past and present Geomorphological hazard and cultural heritage loss in El Castellar castle scarp (central Ebro Basin, Spain)

Peña-Monné

Vattuone

Brillas

et al. 2022

CIG

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The ruins of the Medieval castle and village of El Castellar are located on an abrupt 1.2-km-long scarp of Miocene gypsums, in the central sector of the Ebro depression. The Medieval remains of the main El Castellar castle are perched on a 100 m cliff on the Ebro River. Considering the historical and geoarchaeological relevance of El Castellar settlement, this investigation aimed to study the geomorphological and paleoenvironmental context of the site during and after the settlement and its later evolution, including its current state. Geomorphological data suggest that in Medieval times its constructions were favored by the MCA environmental conditions. During that times, the Ebro River was located in a centered position on its floodplain, and lateral alluvial fans protected the scarp from basal erosion. Later, during the LIA, great climatic flows and recurrent floods changed the river dynamics and promoted the river channel movement against the scarp, destabilizing its foot and generating large landslides and rockfalls, thus promoting its retreat. The village buildings and castle at the top of the scarp were seriously damaged. For several reasons, the area is not easily accessible, but it still contains a relevant archaeological heritage that deserves to be studied and preserved.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Geological and Geomorphological Settingsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Geological and Geomorphological Settingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Past and present Geomorphological hazard and cultural heritage loss in El Castellar castle scarp (central Ebro Basin, Spain)

Peña-Monné

Vattuone

Brillas

et al. 2022

CIG

Self Cite

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Landslides in the Remolinos gypsum escarpment (NE Spain): controls imposed by stratigraphy, fluvial erosion, and interstratal salt dissolution

2023

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Dissolution of karst rocks (evaporites and carbonates) can cause significant mechanical weakening, but its preparatory role for landslide development has been scarcely explored. Fluvial valleys carved in gypsum bedrock typically display prominent escarpments with numerous landslides and perched valleys indicative of rapid retreat rate. The stratigraphic and cartographic analysis of the 37-km-long Remolinos gypsum escarpment in the Ebro Valley (NE Spain) reveals that landslide types are controlled by the lithological succession: (1) rotational slides in sections with mudstones and marls at the base; (2) rock-slope collapses (massive rock-falls) where the cliff includes halite packages at the foot; and (3) relatively small rock-falls and topples being the main failures affecting cliffs entirely made by gypsum. Fluvial undercutting by the highly mobile Ebro River is the main process that controls the spatial and temporal distribution of slope instability. Geomorphic and chronological evidence supports that the abandonment in 1574 of the El Castellar village was at least partially motivated by a shift in the river channel toward the escarpment and the consequent landslide activity. Several lines of evidence support the concept whereby interstratal salt dissolution (halite and glauberite), here designated as subsurface solutional undermining, play a significant preparatory role for landslide development: (1) dissolution of salt close to the scarp by the inward advance of dissolution fronts and subsidence of the overlying strata; (2) collapsed fault blocks with no offset across the grabens; and (3) brine seepages and extensive efflorescences and precipitates of Na-sulfates and halite.

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Ebro Valley Gypsum Escarpment Near Zaragoza (NE Spain)—Combination of Highly Valuable Rock Record, Dynamic Geomorphosites and Associated Cultural Heritage

Migoń,

Gutiérrez,

Parenti

et al. 2023

Geoheritage

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The 40-km-long escarpment of the Ebro River valley to the north-west of Zaragoza (NE Spain) is a remarkable geomorphological feature and an important geoheritage locality. Being 30 to 150 m high, the escarpment exposes a complex evaporate-clastic succession of Early to Middle Miocene age, with alternating gypsum and mudstone/marl units, as well as halite beds at depth. The escarpment is a highly dynamic feature, extensively shaped by mass movements of different types, especially in sections where it is directly undercut by the Ebro River. It also hosts abundant evidence of salt and gypsum dissolution, contributing to ongoing instability. Diverse cultural heritage is associated with the escarpment, including an ancient Celtiberian settlement, medieval castles, abandoned villages, rock-cut churches and dwellings and ancient salt mines. Twenty-six possible geosites are identified, with six considered as most representative described in detail. Opportunities to develop the area for geotourism are presented, but these will be associated with challenges of properly managing steep, dynamic and fragile terrain.

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Interactions between fluvial dynamics and scarp retreat in the Central Ebro Basin during MCA and LIA periods: Palaeogeographical and geoarchaeological reconstruction

Cited by 6 publications

References 38 publications

Past and present Geomorphological hazard and cultural heritage loss in El Castellar castle scarp (central Ebro Basin, Spain)

Past and present Geomorphological hazard and cultural heritage loss in El Castellar castle scarp (central Ebro Basin, Spain)

Landslides in the Remolinos gypsum escarpment (NE Spain): controls imposed by stratigraphy, fluvial erosion, and interstratal salt dissolution

Ebro Valley Gypsum Escarpment Near Zaragoza (NE Spain)—Combination of Highly Valuable Rock Record, Dynamic Geomorphosites and Associated Cultural Heritage

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