A Gis-Ahp Framework For Sinkhole Susceptibility Mapping: Impact On Transport Infrastructure

Considering the escalating impact of climate change on soil stability and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, a comprehensive assessment of sinkhole formation risks in vulnerable regions is critical. This study aims to develop detailed risk and susceptibility maps for sinkhole formation, leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a structured decision-making approach. These maps facilitate the identification of high-risk areas, enabling proactive planning of mitigation measures to prevent disasters and reduce impacts on essential infrastructure, including transportation networks, roads, and populated areas. To meet these objectives, this study incorporates open-source data and a validated weighting methodology to assess seven relevant factors: lithology, soil permeability, water risk, pluviometry, slope, fault proximity, and temperature variation. Using these variables, the proposed method delineates the primary areas in Galicia vulnerable to sinkhole formation, classifying them into high, medium, and low-risk zones.