Antonio Aretxabala, member of a commission of experts analyzing the causes of the Jaén earthquakes
As he explains, there is a relationship between the heavy rains and floods and the continuous low intensity seismic movements recorded in La Loma.
Antonio Aretxabala, director technical laboratory of Building of School of Architecture and delegate in Navarra of high school Official Geologists, has been appointed as a member of a commission of experts that analyzes the causes of more than 1,700 seismic movements of low intensity that have taken place during the last four months in Torreperogil (Jaén).
The commission has been promoted by the Ministry of Public Works, from a report made by Professor Aretxabala at the request of the mayoress of Torreperogil, Josefa Caballero, and the mayor of Sabiote, Luis Miguel López.
The group is composed of eight experts from various universities and other government agencies: the director of the network National Seismic of the high school National Geographic (IGN), Emilio Carreño; the Deputy Director general of Astronomy and Geophysics of the IGN, Jesús Gómez; the scientist of the high school Geological and Mining of Spain Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Pascua; the professor of the University of Jaén and member of the Spanish Commission of Geodesy and Geophysics José Antonio Peláez; the director of the high school Andalusian Geophysics of the University of Granada, José Morales; the vice-president of the high school Official Geologists, José Luis Barrera; the professor of the University of Navarra Antonio Aretxabala; and the scientist and researcher of the high school of Earth Sciences 'Jaume Almera' (Barcelona) and member of the committee Superior of Scientific Research Antonio Villaseñor.
Professor Aretxabala, with his teammate Miguel de las Doblas, from CSIC, allude to the hypothesis of Hydroseismicity to explain the phenomenon. From agreement with this one, there could exist a relation between the intense rains and floods that have taken place during these months and the continuous seismic movements.
According to the geologist of the School of Architecture, as it is an area that has experienced a period of drought for months, the rehydration process causes changes in pore pressure and Issue of the earth, which means a readjustment of the terrain that causes earthquakes.
The consequences of rainfall in Navarra
Professor Aretxabala also alludes to the hypothesis of Natural Hydroseismicity to explain the earthquakes of low intensity that are being registered these days in the area of the mountain range of El Perdón (Navarra). "It is probable that the last rains have caused the triggering of small earthquakes. The water lubricates the fault and reduces the friction coefficient. In addition, an accelerated increase in pore pressure is already recognized as capable of modifying stress transfer and thus activating faults," he told 'Diario de Navarra'.
On the other hand, the geologist of the University of Navarra has collaborated in two other issues related to rain and snow in Navarra. On the one hand, he is advising on the landslide of the slope in Yesa (Navarra), caused by the recent rainfall, which has forced to evacuate many residents. There, he has visited the works, the pathologies and the emergency actions. He has also collaborated with the technicians who are analyzing the collapse of a part of the wall of the Baluarte del Labrit.