Risks on Santiago Island

Plurality in the Diversity of Risks

9 of July 2025

(see poster)

Description

The aim of this technical visit is to observe in situ some locations affected by the manifestation of natural, anthropogenic and mixed risks. Risks present a great diversity, both in the causes that can lead to them and in the consequences that their manifestation can determine, so that only an approach with plurality allows us to present a holistic vision of the multiple possibilities of approach that the studies of risks and catastrophes provide.

Objectives

In this way, we will seek to promote a broad and open discussion, not only about the eminently natural processes that lead to their occurrence, but also other triggering or aggravating factors of anthropic origin, but also about the importance that effective planning and land use management can have in reducing these catastrophes.

Itinerary

08:00 Meeting Point, University campus.
08:30 Departure (transport by bus or similar).

Morning (09:00 – 13:00):

Stop 1. Outskirts of Praia City (São Paulo and Safende neighborhoods)
Flood risks/floods and material movements on slopes

Stop 2. Cow Hill
Risk of water and anthropogenic erosion (pyroclastic extraction)

Stop 3. Ribeira Seca (Poilão Dam) – Organs
Agricultural area, risks of water erosion. The risks of drought and desertification are mitigated by storing rainwater in the Poilão Dam.

Stop 4. Cruz de Pico Viewpoint (Santa Catarina)
You can see the surrounding landscape, both built (notably the area of ​​Fonte Lima and the city of Assomada) and natural, and you can see the Pico de Pico de Antónia Mountain Massif (1392 m).
Risk of falling blocks, especially near the highway.

Lunch (13:00 – 14:30)

Afternoon (14:30 – 17:00):

Stop 5. Serra Malagueta Mountain Range
Risks of landslides, falling blocks and risks of forest fires

Stop 6. Tarrafal
Risk of anthropogenic erosion (pyroclastic extraction) and coastal erosion

Stop 7. City of Calheta São Miguel
Flood risk/urban flooding

Stop 8. Santa Cruz
Risks of saline intrusion, soil and water salinization and coastal erosion

18:00 Arrival (University Campus)

Target audience:

Students, teachers of Geography, Physics and Chemistry, Biology and Geology and researchers in the areas of social and environmental sciences, civil protection professionals and civil society.

Coordinators

Professor Silvia Monteiro and Professor Vera Alfama, from the University of Cape Verde.

Language

The information will be in Portuguese and there will be no translation.

Price

50,00 (fifty euros), includes:
A seat on the bus or similar, a copy of the guide book (if produced) and lunch (packable lunches or in a restaurant), to be provided by the organization.