Urban area affectations due to hydromorphological phenomena Quito Metropolitan District for 2010-2019 period

Abstract

Hydromorphological phenomena have increased in recent years, generating negative socioeconomic impacts and a rise in the mortality rate associated with these events. This phenomenon is linked to deficient land-use planning and territorial management, which have led to uncontrolled urban growth, accompanied by inefficient natural resource management, increasing risk levels in urbanized areas.This study analyzes the effects of hydromorphological phenomena in the urban area of the Quito Metropolitan District (QMD) during the 2010–2019 period by examining daily precipitation data, hydromorphological events, and the geomorphological characteristics of the territory. Precipitation data were provided by the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI) and the Quito Metropolitan Atmospheric Monitoring Network (REMMAQ), while event records were extracted from digital local newspapers. Data processing identified 188 flood events and 49 mass movements, with epicenters in the northern, central, and southern areas of the QMD. It was determined that precipitation thresholds exhibit temporal and spatial variability, influenced by the geomorphological conditions of the territory, anthropogenic activity, the effects of climate change, as well as the distribution and intensity of precipitation.