Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece

Georgios Alevizos; Giannis Mpalatsas; Leonidas Stamatopoulos

doi:doi:10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13

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Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece

Georgios Alevizos, Giannis Mpalatsas, Leonidas Stamatopoulos

Published in Earth Sciences (Volume 7, Issue 1)

Received: 17 October 2017 Accepted: 16 November 2017 Published: 20 December 2017

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Abstract

River channel dynamics are the result of the complex interaction between natural and human factors, at both local and regional scale. The study of river channel dynamics may be an important way to better understand the mechanisms that rule the functioning of fluvial systems, allowing predictions of its future evolution to be made and appropriate adaptation measures to be taken, remediating the risks related to the fluvial dynamics. The purpose of this study is to present specific aspects concerning the river channel dynamics of Peiros River, NW Peloponnese, Greece and to reveal the role of various control factors. Peiros, the longest river in Achaea, has sources at the NE part of the Erymanthos mountains flowing into Patras gulf. This study traces the various stages of geomorphological evolution of the low part of Peiros's river channel and enables us to study the links between human activity, local tectonics, morphology and fluvial dynamics. The study area belongs to the geotectonic zone of Gavrovo-Tripoli flysch, consisting mainly of medium-bedded fine-grained sandstones and mudstones and influenced by ENE and WNW trending faults aligned with the river flow. The spatial and temporal variability of sediment transport is controlled by various variables, including the natural features of the catchments and human activity. The latter is an important control factor for both the processes of sediment generation, transfer and accumulation and for channel dynamics. At the same time, these processes are responsible on short and long run for the alteration of the river channels, which entail negative environmental consequences. The study revealed restriction of sediment supply, coastal retreat, lateral erosion and migration of the rivers channel that complies with the local tectonics of the area, although major stream offsets are not created. The morphological changes although, are mainly attributed to human intervention factors, such as the construction of a dam and transversal bars that restricted the water flow and consequently the sediment supply. That factor combined with the climate change, had as result to drastically alter the morphology of the area. These morphological changes, except of loss of property and boundary problems, also made the area vulnerable to flush flood events. Structures close to the coast are exposed to more risk because of the measured coast retreat. No remediation measures have been taken, except the installation of rip-rap of limited length and one groin, in an attempt to slow down the coastal retreat and diminish wave action.

Published in	Earth Sciences (Volume 7, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13
Page(s)	11-16
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2017. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

River Dynamics, Fluvial Revolution, Channel Adjustments, Hazards, Human Impact, Peiros River, Peloponnese, Greece

References

[1]	P. P. C. Aucelli, P. Fortini, C. M. Rosskopf, V. Scorpio, and V. Viscosi, Recent channel adjustments and riparian vegetation response: Some examples from Molise (Italy). Geografia Fisica e Dinamica Quaternaria, 34, 161-173, 2011.
[2]	M. Colorti, and P. Pieruccini, Fluvial architecture and dynamics in rising mountain chains and related basins; tectonic, climatic influence and human impact: The FLAG-SEQS (Fluvial Archive Group—Subcommission for European Quaternary Stratigraphy) Siena Meeting. Quaternary International, 189, 1-4, 2008.
[3]	L. Zaharia, F. Grecu, G. I. Toroimac, and G. Neculau, Sediment transport and river channel dynamics in Romania – Variability and control factors. In Sediment Transport in Aquatic Environments, Dr. Andrew Manning (Ed.), InTech, 2011.
[4]	E. Zelilidis, Drainage evolution in a rifted basin, Corinth graben, Greece. Geomorphology, 35, 69-85, 2000.
[5]	J. Dufaure, M. H. Kadjer, B. Keraudren, J. L. Mercier, J. Sauvage, and Sebrier, M., Les deformations plio-pleistocene autour du golf de Corinthe, C. r. somn. Soc. Geol. Fr., 18-20, 1975.
[6]	D. J. Piper, and A. Panagos, Marine Geology of the Gulf of Patras, Thalassographica, 3, 5-20, 1979.
[7]	A. Zelilidis, I. Koukouvelas, and T. Doutsos, Neogene paleostress changes behind the forearc fold belt in the Patraikos Gulf area, Western Greece. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, 5, 311–325, 1988.
[8]	D. J. W. Piper, A. G. Panagos, and N. Kontopoulos, Coastal processes and mporphology, Gulf of Patras, Greece, Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, 26 (3), 365-374, 1982.
[9]	D. J. J van Hinsbergen, W. J. Zachariasse, M. J. R. Wortel, and J. E. Meulenkamp, Underthrusting and exhumation: A comparison between the External Hellenides and the ‘‘hot’’ Cycladic and ‘‘cold’’ South Aegean core complexes (Greece), Tectonics, 24, 1-19, 2005.
[10]	A. Zelilidis, Drainage evolution in a rifted basin, Corinth graben, Greece. Geomorphology, 35, 69-85, 2000.
[11]	D. Frydas, Biostratigraphische Untersuchungen aus dem Neogen der NW- und W-Peloponnes, Griechenland. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, 6, 321–344, 1989.
[12]	N. Flotte´, D. Sore, C. Müller and J. Tensi, Along strike changes in the structural evolution over a brittle detachment fault: Example of the Pleistocene Corinth–Patras rift (Greece). Tectonophysics, 403, 77-94, 2005.
[13]	G. Alevizos, and L. Stamatopoulos, Landscape geomorphological evolution and coastal changes: A case study of coastal evolution in the Western Patraikos Gulf area, Western Greece, Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, 11, 415-423, 2016.

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Georgios Alevizos, Giannis Mpalatsas, Leonidas Stamatopoulos. (2017). Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece. Earth Sciences, 7(1), 11-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13

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ACS Style

Georgios Alevizos; Giannis Mpalatsas; Leonidas Stamatopoulos. Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece. Earth Sci. 2017, 7(1), 11-16. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13

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AMA Style

Georgios Alevizos, Giannis Mpalatsas, Leonidas Stamatopoulos. Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece. Earth Sci. 2017;7(1):11-16. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13

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@article{10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13,
  author = {Georgios Alevizos and Giannis Mpalatsas and Leonidas Stamatopoulos},
  title = {Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece},
  journal = {Earth Sciences},
  volume = {7},
  number = {1},
  pages = {11-16},
  doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20180701.13},
  abstract = {River channel dynamics are the result of the complex interaction between natural and human factors, at both local and regional scale. The study of river channel dynamics may be an important way to better understand the mechanisms that rule the functioning of fluvial systems, allowing predictions of its future evolution to be made and appropriate adaptation measures to be taken, remediating the risks related to the fluvial dynamics. The purpose of this study is to present specific aspects concerning the river channel dynamics of Peiros River, NW Peloponnese, Greece and to reveal the role of various control factors. Peiros, the longest river in Achaea, has sources at the NE part of the Erymanthos mountains flowing into Patras gulf. This study traces the various stages of geomorphological evolution of the low part of Peiros's river channel and enables us to study the links between human activity, local tectonics, morphology and fluvial dynamics. The study area belongs to the geotectonic zone of Gavrovo-Tripoli flysch, consisting mainly of medium-bedded fine-grained sandstones and mudstones and influenced by ENE and WNW trending faults aligned with the river flow. The spatial and temporal variability of sediment transport is controlled by various variables, including the natural features of the catchments and human activity. The latter is an important control factor for both the processes of sediment generation, transfer and accumulation and for channel dynamics. At the same time, these processes are responsible on short and long run for the alteration of the river channels, which entail negative environmental consequences. The study revealed restriction of sediment supply, coastal retreat, lateral erosion and migration of the rivers channel that complies with the local tectonics of the area, although major stream offsets are not created. The morphological changes although, are mainly attributed to human intervention factors, such as the construction of a dam and transversal bars that restricted the water flow and consequently the sediment supply. That factor combined with the climate change, had as result to drastically alter the morphology of the area. These morphological changes, except of loss of property and boundary problems, also made the area vulnerable to flush flood events. Structures close to the coast are exposed to more risk because of the measured coast retreat. No remediation measures have been taken, except the installation of rip-rap of limited length and one groin, in an attempt to slow down the coastal retreat and diminish wave action.},
 year = {2017}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece
AU  - Georgios Alevizos
AU  - Giannis Mpalatsas
AU  - Leonidas Stamatopoulos
Y1  - 2017/12/20
PY  - 2017
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13
T2  - Earth Sciences
JF  - Earth Sciences
JO  - Earth Sciences
SP  - 11
EP  - 16
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5982
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13
AB  - River channel dynamics are the result of the complex interaction between natural and human factors, at both local and regional scale. The study of river channel dynamics may be an important way to better understand the mechanisms that rule the functioning of fluvial systems, allowing predictions of its future evolution to be made and appropriate adaptation measures to be taken, remediating the risks related to the fluvial dynamics. The purpose of this study is to present specific aspects concerning the river channel dynamics of Peiros River, NW Peloponnese, Greece and to reveal the role of various control factors. Peiros, the longest river in Achaea, has sources at the NE part of the Erymanthos mountains flowing into Patras gulf. This study traces the various stages of geomorphological evolution of the low part of Peiros's river channel and enables us to study the links between human activity, local tectonics, morphology and fluvial dynamics. The study area belongs to the geotectonic zone of Gavrovo-Tripoli flysch, consisting mainly of medium-bedded fine-grained sandstones and mudstones and influenced by ENE and WNW trending faults aligned with the river flow. The spatial and temporal variability of sediment transport is controlled by various variables, including the natural features of the catchments and human activity. The latter is an important control factor for both the processes of sediment generation, transfer and accumulation and for channel dynamics. At the same time, these processes are responsible on short and long run for the alteration of the river channels, which entail negative environmental consequences. The study revealed restriction of sediment supply, coastal retreat, lateral erosion and migration of the rivers channel that complies with the local tectonics of the area, although major stream offsets are not created. The morphological changes although, are mainly attributed to human intervention factors, such as the construction of a dam and transversal bars that restricted the water flow and consequently the sediment supply. That factor combined with the climate change, had as result to drastically alter the morphology of the area. These morphological changes, except of loss of property and boundary problems, also made the area vulnerable to flush flood events. Structures close to the coast are exposed to more risk because of the measured coast retreat. No remediation measures have been taken, except the installation of rip-rap of limited length and one groin, in an attempt to slow down the coastal retreat and diminish wave action.
VL  - 7
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Georgios Alevizos

Department of Geology, University of Patras, Patras, Hellas
Giannis Mpalatsas

Department of Geology, University of Patras, Patras, Hellas
Leonidas Stamatopoulos

Department of Geology, University of Patras, Patras, Hellas

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APA Style

Georgios Alevizos, Giannis Mpalatsas, Leonidas Stamatopoulos. (2017). Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece. Earth Sciences, 7(1), 11-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13

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ACS Style

Georgios Alevizos; Giannis Mpalatsas; Leonidas Stamatopoulos. Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece. Earth Sci. 2017, 7(1), 11-16. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13

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AMA Style

Georgios Alevizos, Giannis Mpalatsas, Leonidas Stamatopoulos. Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece. Earth Sci. 2017;7(1):11-16. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13,
  author = {Georgios Alevizos and Giannis Mpalatsas and Leonidas Stamatopoulos},
  title = {Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece},
  journal = {Earth Sciences},
  volume = {7},
  number = {1},
  pages = {11-16},
  doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20180701.13},
  abstract = {River channel dynamics are the result of the complex interaction between natural and human factors, at both local and regional scale. The study of river channel dynamics may be an important way to better understand the mechanisms that rule the functioning of fluvial systems, allowing predictions of its future evolution to be made and appropriate adaptation measures to be taken, remediating the risks related to the fluvial dynamics. The purpose of this study is to present specific aspects concerning the river channel dynamics of Peiros River, NW Peloponnese, Greece and to reveal the role of various control factors. Peiros, the longest river in Achaea, has sources at the NE part of the Erymanthos mountains flowing into Patras gulf. This study traces the various stages of geomorphological evolution of the low part of Peiros's river channel and enables us to study the links between human activity, local tectonics, morphology and fluvial dynamics. The study area belongs to the geotectonic zone of Gavrovo-Tripoli flysch, consisting mainly of medium-bedded fine-grained sandstones and mudstones and influenced by ENE and WNW trending faults aligned with the river flow. The spatial and temporal variability of sediment transport is controlled by various variables, including the natural features of the catchments and human activity. The latter is an important control factor for both the processes of sediment generation, transfer and accumulation and for channel dynamics. At the same time, these processes are responsible on short and long run for the alteration of the river channels, which entail negative environmental consequences. The study revealed restriction of sediment supply, coastal retreat, lateral erosion and migration of the rivers channel that complies with the local tectonics of the area, although major stream offsets are not created. The morphological changes although, are mainly attributed to human intervention factors, such as the construction of a dam and transversal bars that restricted the water flow and consequently the sediment supply. That factor combined with the climate change, had as result to drastically alter the morphology of the area. These morphological changes, except of loss of property and boundary problems, also made the area vulnerable to flush flood events. Structures close to the coast are exposed to more risk because of the measured coast retreat. No remediation measures have been taken, except the installation of rip-rap of limited length and one groin, in an attempt to slow down the coastal retreat and diminish wave action.},
 year = {2017}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece
AU  - Georgios Alevizos
AU  - Giannis Mpalatsas
AU  - Leonidas Stamatopoulos
Y1  - 2017/12/20
PY  - 2017
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13
T2  - Earth Sciences
JF  - Earth Sciences
JO  - Earth Sciences
SP  - 11
EP  - 16
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5982
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20180701.13
AB  - River channel dynamics are the result of the complex interaction between natural and human factors, at both local and regional scale. The study of river channel dynamics may be an important way to better understand the mechanisms that rule the functioning of fluvial systems, allowing predictions of its future evolution to be made and appropriate adaptation measures to be taken, remediating the risks related to the fluvial dynamics. The purpose of this study is to present specific aspects concerning the river channel dynamics of Peiros River, NW Peloponnese, Greece and to reveal the role of various control factors. Peiros, the longest river in Achaea, has sources at the NE part of the Erymanthos mountains flowing into Patras gulf. This study traces the various stages of geomorphological evolution of the low part of Peiros's river channel and enables us to study the links between human activity, local tectonics, morphology and fluvial dynamics. The study area belongs to the geotectonic zone of Gavrovo-Tripoli flysch, consisting mainly of medium-bedded fine-grained sandstones and mudstones and influenced by ENE and WNW trending faults aligned with the river flow. The spatial and temporal variability of sediment transport is controlled by various variables, including the natural features of the catchments and human activity. The latter is an important control factor for both the processes of sediment generation, transfer and accumulation and for channel dynamics. At the same time, these processes are responsible on short and long run for the alteration of the river channels, which entail negative environmental consequences. The study revealed restriction of sediment supply, coastal retreat, lateral erosion and migration of the rivers channel that complies with the local tectonics of the area, although major stream offsets are not created. The morphological changes although, are mainly attributed to human intervention factors, such as the construction of a dam and transversal bars that restricted the water flow and consequently the sediment supply. That factor combined with the climate change, had as result to drastically alter the morphology of the area. These morphological changes, except of loss of property and boundary problems, also made the area vulnerable to flush flood events. Structures close to the coast are exposed to more risk because of the measured coast retreat. No remediation measures have been taken, except the installation of rip-rap of limited length and one groin, in an attempt to slow down the coastal retreat and diminish wave action.
VL  - 7
IS  - 1
ER  -

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