Resumen Este trabajo consiste en una reconstrucción histórica y geoespacial, mediante Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG), de un sector de la ruta alternativa del ferrocarril al Atlántico de Costa Rica denominada: “línea de Fajardo”, construida entre los años 1871-1873 y posteriormente abandonada. Esta fue impulsada por el gobierno de Tomás Guardia Gutiérrez y ejecutada por el contratista norteamericano Henry Meiggs Keith. En su momento esa obra incluyó, geográficamente, el norte y el oeste de los valles coloniales de Orosi y Ujarrás, respectivamente, en la provincia de Cartago. Esta investigación abarcó la compilación documental (histórica) y de insumos geoespaciales, así como la identificación, análisis e integración, mediante SIG, de vestigios constructivos de obras civiles y de evidencias de actividad antrópica asociada, dentro del área de estudio. Como resultado fue posible reconstruir geoespacialmente la ruta original del ferrocarril en el sector geográfico de interés, mediante una confiable integración metodológica, de las diferentes evidencias identificadas.

Abstract This work consists of a historical and geospatial reconstruction, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), of a sector of the alternative route of the Costa Rican Atlantic railway called: "Fajardo line", built between 1871-1873 and later abandoned. It was promoted by the government of Tomás Guardia Gutiérrez and executed by the North American contractor Henry Meiggs Keith. At the time, this work included, geographically, the north and west of the colonial valleys of Orosi and Ujarrás respectively, in the province of Cartago. This research covered the compilation of documents (historical), and geospatial inputs, as well as the identification, analysis, and integration, through GIS, of construction traces of civil works and evidence of associated anthropic activity, within the study area. As a result, it was possible to geospatially reconstruct the original railway route in the geographic sector of interest, through a reliable, methodological integration of the different identified evidence.

Resumen El terremoto de Limón fue uno de los mayores desastres registrados en Costa Rica y Panamá. Este evento tuvo una magnitud de 7.7 Mw, ocurrió el 22 de abril de 1991 y tuvo su epicentro en las coordenadas 9.685 N y -83.073 W. Este estudio busca determinar los efectos geomorfológicos derivados del terremoto. La metodología consistió en una revisión bibliográfica de los es- tudios técnicos, artículos científicos y mapas realizados sobre el evento sísmico para generar una cartografía y análisis que resuma sus implicaciones geomorfológicas en el Caribe de Costa Rica y Panamá. Los efectos geomorfológicos del terremoto fueron el levantamiento tectónico, la licuefacción, los deslizamientos de tierra, el aumento de la carga de sedimentos en las cuencas fluviales meses después del terremoto, un tsunami y una probable relación con los recientes procesos de erosión costera. Este evento fue una gran lección para Costa Rica y Panamá sobre su riesgo sísmico, la dinámica geomorfológica sísmica, así como la gestión del riesgo en un desastre de gran magnitud.

Abstract The Limón earthquake was one of the biggest disasters ever recorded in Costa Rica and Panama. This event had a magnitude of 7.7 Mw, occurred on April 22 of 1991 and had its epicenter at the coordinates 9.685 N and -83.073 W. This study looks to determine the geomorphological effects resulting from the earthquake. The methodology consisted of a bibliographic review of the technical studies, scientific articles and maps carried out on the seismic event to generate a cartography and analysis that sum- marizes the geomorphological implications in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica and Panama. The geomorphological effects inclu- ded tectonic uplift, liquefaction, landslides, a tsunami, an increased sediment load in the river basins months after the earthquake, and a probable relationship with recent coastal erosion processes. This event was a great lesson for Costa Rica and Panama on its seismic risk, geomorphological dynamics, as well as risk management in a major disaster.

Abstract During the last decades, the number of floods and landslides events have been growing every year in Costa Rica, both in urban and rural areas. Despite of the geomorphological diversity of Central America and Costa Rica, there are few detailed geomorphological studies in the region. A 1:25,000 geomorphological analyses of the Upper General River Catchment (UGRC) located in the southeast in Costa Rica is presented, based on the interpretation of aerial photographs and field geomorphological mapping. First, a morphometric analysis was performed to calculate and analyze seven variables that were merged in order to produce the flood and landslides susceptibility maps. Second, a total of 43 types of landforms divided genetically into endogenic (tectonic), and exogenic (fluvial, gravitational, and glacial) features are mapped for an area of 1 560 km2. Finally, a geomorphological hazard map with the zonation of the different susceptibility levels of landslides and floods were performed. This cartography is important in terms of geomorphological evolution, disaster risk reduction as well as for land use planning for approximately 40,000 inhabitants. The presented methodology can also be applied in other developing countries for different purposes such as landscape evolution, morphogenetic detailed maps, disaster risk reduction, and land use planning.

Resumen Durante las últimas décadas, el número de inundaciones y deslizamientos han ido creciendo cada año en Costa Rica, tanto en las zonas urbanas como en las rurales. A pesar de la diversidad geomorfológica de Centroamérica y Costa Rica, existen pocos estudios geomorfológicos detallados en la región. Se presenta un análisis geomorfológico 1: 25,000 de la Cuenca del Río General Superior (CRGS) ubicada en el sureste de Costa Rica, basado en la interpretación de fotografías aéreas y mapeo geomorfológico de campo. Primero, se realizó un análisis geomorfométrico para calcular y analizar siete variables que se fusionaron para producir los mapas de susceptibilidad a inundaciones y deslizamientos de tierra. En segundo lugar, un total de 43 formas de relieve divididas genéticamente en endógenas (tectónicas) y exógenas (fluviales, gravitacionales y glaciales) se cartografiaron para un área de 1 560 km2. Finalmente, se realizó un mapa de riesgos geomorfológicos con la zonificación de los diferentes niveles de susceptibilidad de deslizamientos e inundaciones. Esta cartografía es importante en términos de evolución geomorfológica, reducción del riesgo de desastres, así como para la planificación del uso del suelo para unos 40 000 habitantes. La metodología presentada también se puede aplicar en otros países en desarrollo para diferentes propósitos, como la evolución del paisaje, mapas detallados morfogenéticos, reducción del riesgo de desastres y planificación territorial.

Abstract The tectonic and volcanic dynamics of Costa Rica respond mainly to the interaction of the Cocos and Caribbean plates (and the Panama Microplate) near a triple junction where these interact with the Nazca Plate. This work used Lidar images from the Northwest sector of the Poás Volcano generated after the 2009 Cinchona earthquake (Mw 6.2) and supplementary inputs to analyze the morphotectonic traits and propose morphotectonicvolcanic units (UMTV) on a 1:25.000 scale. This sector has been defined as the area of interest because it is the least studied of the Poás Volcano and covers an important part of the national park protection zone. UMTVs were defined from the analysis of the morphometric elements of relief, lithologic conditions, and morphostructural expressions of relief structures. Thus, this study represents an initial step in determining this type of morphostructural relationships of relief in Costa Rica, which can be replicated as a tool in the evaluation of natural hazards in other countries with similar characteristics. Based on previous studies in the area as and using remote sensors (Lidar, radar images, and aerial photographs), criteria were combined including identification and interpretation of tectonic or volcanic structures, altitudinal range, geology and origin of relief forms, slope, seismicity, and guidelines and interpretation of patterns in the hydrographic network. Methodological processes were grouped as follows: a) development of the elevation and shading digital model through processing in ArcMap 10.5 for use in morphometric analyses and identification of tectonic structures; b) geomorphological mapping, analysis of relief morphoelements and litho-stratigraphic and seismicity relationships; c) analysis of altimetric ranges and slopes; d) analysis of structural patterns according to the hydrographic network and its morphometry (dissection depth and density); and e) interpretation of radar images and aerial photographs from available sources. Ten UMTVs were defined that characterize the relief resulting from the evolution of the Poás Volcano northwest sector, based on the relationship between geological structures, altitudinal ranges, morphometric parameters, and relief forms. Besides, these units evidence the importance of neotectonic activity in the formation and differentiation of relief and are a major input in the study of relief forms and natural hazards. Therefore, it is a practical tool for disaster risk mitigation by identifying areas susceptible to seismic and volcanic activity, and those related to extreme hydrometeorological phenomena, such as floods and landslides, under different vulnerability scenarios and multiple-hazard contexts. The most vulnerable UMTVs are ancient, secondary, or current volcanic cones, areas with major faults or fracturing on moderate-to-high slopes and with tectonicstructural control, corresponding to conic and structural volcanic UMTVs or with active-fault tectonics in areas of steep slopes (> 15°). These units display characteristics such as many rivers running through canyons, radial, semi-radial or sub-parallel drainage patterns associated with volcanic geomorphologies, and denudation aspects resulting from ancient landslides. The greatest advantage of the proposed method is the use of easily accessible morphometric parameters from level curves and the generation of its hydrographic network, which can be replicated in similar territories or contexts with available information on basic local geology and tectonics. A limitation of the modeling method is the scale of some of the source data, as studies of this type require either having of producing accurate maps (at least 1:25.000 scale). The definition of UMTVs represents an initial input for the evaluation of natural hazards, being a valuable tool for land-use planning and risk management, with potential for replication in zones sharing characteristics similar to those of the study area, in volcanic environments and tropical climates.

Resumen La dinámica tectónica y volcánica de Costa Rica responde principalmente a la interacción de las placas Cocos y Caribe. Con base en la relación entre las estructuras geológicas, rangos altitudinales, parámetros morfométricos y formas de relieve, se definieron diez unidades morfotectónicas-volcánicas (UMTV) que caracterizan el relieve resultante de la evolución del edificio volcánico del volcán Poás en su sector Noroeste. Se elaboró un mapa considerando criterios asociados a elementos y atributos morfotectónicos y morfoestructurales, litoestratigráficos, geomorfológicos y morfométricos. Basados en estudios previos de la zona, así como con la utilización de sensores remotos como tecnología lidar, imágenes de radar y fotografías aéreas, se combinaron criterios que incluyeron la identificación e interpretación de estructuras tectónicas o volcánicas, el rango altitudinal, la geología y el origen de las formas de relieve, la pendiente, la sismicidad, lineamientos y la interpretación de patrones de la red hidrográfica. Las UMTV identificadas integran las diferentes estructuras y la geología de la zona, y permiten reconocer la importancia de la actividad neotectónica en la formación y diferenciación del relieve. Las UMTV constituyen un insumo inicial para la evaluación de amenazas naturales, siendo una herramienta funcional en el ordenamiento territorial y la gestión del riesgo, con gran potencial de replicación en sitios con características similares a la zona de estudio, en ambientes volcánicos y climas tropicales.

Resumen (Introducción): La expansión de monocultivos de palma africana (Elaeis guineensis) y piña (Ananas comosus), en Costa Rica, ha degradado en forma progresiva el entorno natural del país, particularmente la región del distrito de Potrero Grande de Buenos Aires. (Objetivo): Se buscó evidenciar la importancia de la conservación en la reserva del Centro Turístico Los Chocuacos (CTLC), que conserva un mosaico de bosque, entre secundario y primario, de aproximadamente 30 años y la cual, está amenazada por el crecimiento de monocultivos. (Metodología): En un área de 25 ha, se realizó un inventario florístico mediante recorridos aleatorios en el borde del bosque, los senderos, las áreas sin senderos, las quebradas y nacientes, donde se recolectaron especímenes botánicos en estado reproductivo, que fueron herborizados y depositados en el Herbario Luis A. Fournier Origgi de la Universidad de Costa Rica. (Resultados): Se obtuvo una riqueza florística de 75 familias, 219 géneros y 266 especies. Se encontró un nuevo registro para el país del arbusto Eugenia veraguensis y una especie del género Aristolochia que en la actualidad está siendo descrita como una nueva especie para la ciencia. La forma de vida más representativa es árbol, con hábitat, principalmente presente terrestre. Las familias Fabaceae, Rubiaceae y Malvaceae fueron las que poseen mayor riqueza de especies. (Conclusiones): Este estudio evidencia la importancia de los inventarios florísticos para aumentar el conocimiento de especies presentes en zonas poco estudiadas del trópico que están siendo afectadas por el desordenado cambio en el uso de la tierra.

Abstract (Introduction): The expansion of African palm (Elaeis guineensis) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) monocultures in Costa Rica has progressively degraded the natural environment of the country, standing out the region of the Potrero Grande district of Buenos Aires. (Objective): This study aims to show the importance of conservation in the Centro Turistico Los Chocuacos (CTLC) reserve, which is a threatened area, and that conserves a forest, between secondary and primary, of approximately 30 years. (Methodology): In an area of 61.77 acres (25 hectares), a floristic inventory was performed by random walks along the forest edge, trails, river, waters springs, and areas not crossed by trails. The botanical specimens were collected in a reproductive state, botanized and deposited in the Herbarium Luis A. Fournier Origgi of the University of Costa Rica. (Results): The CTLC reserve has a floristic wealth of 75 families, 219 genera, and 266 species. The results yield important data, such as a new record for Costa Rica, Eugenia veraguensis, and a species of the genus Aristolochia, which is currently being described as a new species for science. The most representative life form is the tree, and the habit is mostly terrestrial. The Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Malvaceae families were the most representative in the study area. (Conclusions): The study highlights the importance of floristic inventories to increase knowledge of species present in poorly studied regions of the tropics that are also being affected by the disorderly land-use change.

Abstract The importance of ancient cartography for the environmental economic and strategic planning of a geographical space is fundamental for understanding the spatial patterns of the past in order to project the future decisions relative to the planning of the territory. Based on the research of guides, protocols and the technical and scientific literature as in the previous experience of authors in related projects, this paper realize a revision an systematization of the digitation and publication of old cartography in digital media that can be useful for the development of future library, public archives, universities and other institutions interested in deploying and making accessible their cartographic collections in digital format. The present paper offers as a result a methodological guide to solve this problematic common to information, geography and history sciences.

Resumen La importancia de la cartografía antigua para la planificación ambiental, económica y estratégica de un espacio geográfico es fundamental para entender los patrones espaciales del pasado y para proyectar las decisiones futuras relativas a la planificación del territorio. A partir tanto de la revisión de guías, protocolos y de la literatura técnica y científica, como de la experiencia previa de los autores en proyectos afines, el presente artículo realiza la revisión y sistematización del proceso de digitalización y publicación de cartografía antigua en medios digitales que pueda ser útil para futuros desarrollos de bibliotecas, archivos públicos, acervos privados, universidades u otras instituciones interesadas en desplegar y hacer accesibles sus colecciones cartográficas en formato digital. El presente trabajo ofrece como resultado una guía metodológica para la solución de esta problemática común en las ciencias de la información, la historia y la geografía.

Resumen Coto Brus es un cantón al sureste de Costa Rica, funge como un crisol de culturas indígenas, costarricenses, panameñas e italianas que modelaron su territorio durante los últimos setenta años. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar el impacto ambiental de la colonización agrícola de Coto Brus y los cambios en el paisaje experimentados en su territorio a partir de 1940. Este estudio pone en evidencia la otra cara del explosivo desarrollo que tuvo Coto Brus en sus primeras décadas de existencia y además cómo los patrones multiculturales privaron en el crecimiento de la frontera agrícola en una de las regiones menos estudiadas del país. La metodología se basa en una revisión documental de diferentes fuentes bibliográficas entre libros, artículos, relatos históricos y legislación. A partir de un análisis geográfico histórico se lograron determinar tres periodos históricos que sintetizan el impacto en el medioambiente de las actividades productivas durante más de siete décadas.

Abstract Coto Brus is a canton in the southeast of Costa Rica which serves as a melting pot of Indigenous, Costa Rican, Panamanian and Italian cultures that shaped its territory during the last seventy years. The objective of this paper is to analyze the environmental impact of the agricultural colonization of Coto Brus and the changes in the landscape experienced in its territory since 1940. This study highlights the other side of the explosive development that Coto Brus had in his first decades of existence and also how multicultural patterns deprived the growth of the agricultural frontier in one of the least studied regions of the country. The methodology is based on a documentary review of different bibliographical sources among books, articles, historical accounts and legislation. From a historical geographical analysis it was possible to determine three historical periods that synthesize the impact on the environment of productive activities for more than seven decades.

Abstract In tropical countries as Costa Rica, mass movements and floods are triggered by intense precipitation events, weathering, rock control, seismicity, morphology, and slopes angle. The recurrence and magnitude of these processes provoke economic losses and casualties in the communities of the Upper General River Basin in the center-south of Costa Rica. A morphometric analysis is performed to calculate and analyze seven variables (altimetry, slopes, dissection density, dissection profundity, relief energy, potential erosion, and total erosion). Within this analysis, five morphological regions were determined: mountain zone (Cordillera de Talamanca), floodplain, accumulative ramp (alluvial fans), minor mountain ranges (Fila Brunqueña), and mountain foothills covered by proluvial sediments. The mountain zone is intensely modeled with the presence of extensive weathering crusts on inclined and fractured slopes, which favors fluvial-gravitational processes. The minor mountain ranges serve as limit to the alluvial plain of the Pacuar and General River, that due to its sedimentary lithology, steep slopes, the rain regime and changes of land use, favor the slope instability of this region. The mountain foothills have a plateau morphology with alluvial covers on the base of the slopes. The accumulative proluvial ramp is the transition between the mountain zone and the floodplain, its morphology is defined by the presence of alluvial fans superimposed and continuous as a glacis. Finally, the floodplain is defined by the seasonal and extraordinary flooding areas. The slopes map is a first approximation of the gravitational dynamics. It helps to identify landforms associated with the fluvial erosive-accumulative action. The dissection density map showed zones of greater or lesser erosion, where the channels concentration are linked to rainy zones (>2500 mm annually), the existence of a poorly consolidated and altered substratum (weathering crusts), the presence of disjunctive structures, large areas without significant lithological changes, and a heterogeneous morphology. In addition, the dissection profundity makes evident the influence of the disjunctive structures in the erosive and accumulative relief dynamics. In this context it is necessary to consider that the valleys vertical growth causes slopes instability and favor gravitational processes. The relief energy integrates fluvial action (dissection density and dissection profundity) and slopes in its analysis. These three elements are closely linked to mass wasting. It also considers lithology, the influence of weathering, the faults activity, earthquakes and precipitation. On the other hand, potential erosion locates indirectly areas with denudation susceptibility, linked to factors such as specific lithological characteristics, topographic contrasts, morphological variety, hydroclimatic conditions, vegetation cover, and even land use changes. In the case of total erosion, areas with greater erodibility and with older morphologies were distinguished through the terrain roughness, and the role played by variables such as lithology age, disjunctive structures, the past climate (glaciations), the current rainfall patterns, and slopes are inferred. To produce the flood and hillslope processes susceptibility maps, each morphometric variables result were grouped into three ranges (high, medium and low), which allowed a cross analysis. The territories where up to two morphometric indicators coincided, were considered as potential areas; the areas where three indexes were overcome, were classified as frequent occurrence areas, and the spaces classified as maximum occurrence were those where four or five variables were present. These criteria were applied for hillslope processes as well as for floods. These maps are spatially compared with the disaster database DesInventar where 85.15% of the reports coincide with the zones identified as prone to flooding and 76.54% with susceptible areas to hillslope processes. This method can be easily replicated since only the contours lines and rivers are used, the measurements are simple and can be made from a Geographical Information System (GIS) in its entirety. This condition speeds up the digitization times of fluvial channels, the processing of information, the systematization of the procedure, and the practicality to make different measurements as well as to take precise data of contour lines and fluvial data. The procedure can be implemented for watersheds territorial management and political-administrative units at local and regional scales. Geomorphometry is a practical tool for mitigating disaster risk by determining floods and hillslope processes susceptible areas. The morphometric method proves to be a low-cost method that could be replicated in other tropical regions and developing countries as a baseline input for decision making in disaster risk management and land use planning.

Resumen En países tropicales como Costa Rica, la incidencia de procesos de ladera e inundaciones están condicionados por las lluvias extraordinarias, el tipo de sustrato y su grado de meteorización, la sismicidad, la morfología y la inclinación del terreno. La recurrencia y magnitud de estos procesos afectan la cuenca alta del río General en términos de pérdidas económicas y muertes en sus comunidades. En este trabajo se realiza un análisis que calcula y analiza siete variables morfométricas (altimetría, inclinación del terreno, densidad de la disección, profundidad de la disección, energía del relieve, erosión potencial y erosión total). Mediante la integración espacial de las siete variables morfométricas se elaboran mapas de susceptibilidad a inundaciones y procesos de ladera. Tres categorías de susceptibilidad fueron definidas para cada peligro geomorfológico: máxima ocurrencia, ocurrencia frecuente y área potencial. Estos mapas son comparados espacialmente con la base de datos de desastres DesInventar. Un 85.15% de los reportes coinciden con las zonas identificadas como propensas a inundación y el 76.54% con las áreas susceptibles a procesos de ladera. El método morfométrico utilizado es de bajo costo, y además podría ser replicado en otras regiones tropicales y en países en vías de desarrollo como insumo de base para la toma de decisiones en la gestión del riesgo a desastres y el ordenamiento territorial.

Resumen Los humedales, también llamados altoandinos, han sido poco estudiados y caracterizados en Costa Rica. En este estudio se analizan las características geomorfológicas, climatológicas e hidrológicas de los humedales altoandinos del Parque Nacional Chirripó (PNCh), ubicado al centro-sur de Costa Rica, América Central. Para ello se parte de un levantamiento geomorfológico a escala 1:25 000 de formas de relieve particularmente de origen glaciar, el Inventario Nacional de Humedales llevado a cabo por el Proyecto Humedales (PNUD-SINAC-GEF), y la determinación de distintos escenarios de cambio climático para los periodos 2039-2059 y 2079-2099. El objetivo de este trabajo es caracterizar el estado actual de estos ecosistemas, explicar cómo y porqué se forman, así como valorar las posibles implicaciones en el ciclo hidrológico y la provisión de agua de estos reservorios debido a las variaciones del clima a futuro. Los resultados denotan la gran importancia de estos humedales para mantener la dinámica ecológica en el PNCh, así como los servicios de provisión de agua y regulación del ciclo hidrológico en las cuencas que derivan de esta área protegida.

Abstract The geomorphological, climatological and hydrological characteristics of the high Andean wetlands of the Chirripó National Park (PNCh) are analyzed. The PNCh is located in south-central Costa Rica, Central America. This analysis includes a geomorphological survey on a 1: 25 000 scale of the relief forms and processes, particularly those of glacial origin. The National Wetland Inventory carried out by the Wetlands Project (UNDP-SINAC-GEF) was also used, along with different climate change projections corresponding to the scenarios for the 2039-2059 and 2079-2099 horizons. The main objective is to characterize the current state of these ecosystems, to explain how and why they are formed, as well as to assess the possible implications in the hydrological cycle and the water supply of these wetlands due to future climate variations. The results showed the relevance of these natural reservoirs in maintaining the ecological dynamics of the PNCh. We also studied the services of water provision and regulation of the hydrological cycle in the basins that compose this protected area.

Resumen Desamparados es uno de los cantones de Costa Rica más afectados por los riesgos naturales, según datos registrados de los últimos 45 años. Sus características físicogeográficas y socioeconómicas, así como el desarrollo urbano sin una planificación territorial efectiva generan mayor presión para contribuir al riesgo de desastre. Esta unidad político-administrativa es un verdadero reto para la gestión del riesgo de desastres y el ordenamiento territorial desde la política pública, ya que mezcla una serie de paisajes rurales y urbanos, además del impacto recurrente de deslizamientos e inundaciones con un marco jurídico entrabado para solventar estas problemáticas socioambientales.

Resumo Desamparados é um dos bairros da Costa Rica mais afetados pelos riscos naturais, segundo dados registrados dos últimos 45 anos. Suas características físico-geográficas e socioeconômicas e também o desenvolvimento urbano sem uma planificação territorial efetiva geram maior pressão no favorecimento de risco de desastre. Esta unidade político-administrativa é um verdadeiro desafio para a gestão do risco de desastres e do ordenamento territorial desde a política pública, já que mescla uma serie de paisagens rurais e urbanas, além do impacto incessante de deslizamentos e inundações com um marco jurídico travado para solucionar estas problemáticas socioambientais.

Abstract Desamparados is one of the counties most affected by natural hazards each year in Costa Rica during the last 45 years. Their physical-geographical and socioeconomic characteristics, urban development without effective land use planning on risk areas generate economic and human losses. This political-administrative unit is a real challenge to manage disaster risk and land use planning from public policy as it mixes a number of rural and urban landscapes, in addition to the recurring impact of landslides and floods with hindered legal framework for address these social and environmental problems.

Abstract: In tropical countries where both internal and external active geodynamic conditions exist and relief modeling is constantly changing, hillside processes are one of the most recurring natural hazards that cause human and economic losses each year. In Costa Rica, for example, these phenomena cause approximately 30% of the disasters that affect the country each year. The study area comprises a section of 52 km2 in the extreme geographical coordinates: 10,23 ° N and 10,18 ° S; -84.23 ° W and -84.14 ° E; which is located on the northeast slope of the Poás volcano in Costa Rica and has the physical characteristics of rainfall above 2000 mm per year, intense tectonic dynamics associated with different tectonic faults and dense tropical vegetation. The objective of this work is to show a morphometric model to determine susceptible areas to hillslope processes, starting from the case study of the most affected region by the landslides triggered during the Cinchona Earthquake in 2009. The morphometry or geomorphometry is the quantitative analysis of the terrestrial surface; among its fundamental variables are altimetry or hypsometry, slope of the terrain and drainage density. The morphometric methods used are based on the approaches of Simonov (1985), Lugo (1988) and Zamorano (1990). Seven morphometric maps were developed that indirectly explain the geomorphological dynamics of this territory. Firstly, the cartography of dissection density, depth of dissection, relief energy and total erosion were performed. The density of the dissection calculates the concentration of river channels in a specific area, aiming to establish zones of greater or lesser concentration of river courses and therefore with greater river erosion. The depth of the dissection aims to measure the erosive capacity or activity of rivers vertically, as it analyzes the areas where river erosion has been more (or less) intense over time and provides an indirect relationship of the parameters that allow the dissection to increase, such as lithology, terrain inclination, precipitation and substrate weakness planes. The relief energy determines the maximum difference of the relative height in meters in a specific area and represents the potential energy that emerges from the relief. The total erosion determines zones with greater or less erosion of the recorded relief by means of the density of the curves of level in a determined area (by minimum spatial unit of analysis). All these parameters were analyzed from the three morphological regions that make up the study area (Poás volcanic complex, pyroclastic ramps and valley slopes), and then integrate these variables into the slope susceptibility map. Subsequently, the results of the map of susceptibility to hillside processes were compared with the coseismic mass movements of 2009, which resulted in that 98% of these phenomena coincided with the areas of frequent occurrence and maximum occurrence. In addition, the rupture surfaces of the gravitational processes of 2009 were used to validate this model with a real seismic event, giving 78% of prediction. It is possible to affirm that the model showed a very good performance to predict coseismic slope movements despite the fact that the model does not use any seismic parameters. It would then be expected that their verification with slope movements induced by extreme weather events would be equally acceptable. In view of the obtained results, it can be affirmed that the greatest virtue of the morphometric model is the use of easily obtained morphometric parameters from two fundamental variables: the hydrographic network and the elevation contours. It is for these reasons that the method can be applied in the territories of poor countries, by virtue of the provision of this base information. However, the limitation of the model is on the scale of the data sources and the size of the analysis cells that compose the grid of the study area. Finally, this model could be replicated in other regions or countries as a basic input for decision making in disaster risk management and land use planning.

Resumen: En países tropicales donde existen condiciones geodinámicas activas, tanto internas como externas, y el modelado del relieve está en constante modificación, los procesos de ladera son una de las amenazas naturales más recurrentes que causan pérdidas humanas y económicas todos los años. El área de estudio comprende una sección de 52 km2 en las coordenadas geográficas extremas: 10,23° N y 10,18° S, -84,23° W y -84,14° E, la cual se localiza en la ladera noreste del volcán Poás en Costa Rica. El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar un modelo morfométrico para determinar áreas susceptibles a procesos de ladera a partir del caso de estudio de la región más afectada por los deslizamientos disparados durante el terremoto de Cinchona en 2009. Se desarrollaron siete mapas morfométricos que explican de manera indirecta la dinámica geomorfológica de este territorio. Se compararon los resultados del mapa de susceptibilidad a procesos de ladera con los movimientos en masa cosísmicos de 2009, lo que dio como resultado que un 98% de estos fenómenos coincidieran con las áreas de ocurrencia frecuente y máxima ocurrencia. Además, se utilizaron las superficies de ruptura de los procesos gravitacionales de 2009 para validar este modelo con un evento sísmico real, lo que dio un 78% de predicción. Por último, este modelo podría ser replicado en otras regiones tropicales como insumo de base para la toma de decisiones en la gestión del riesgo a desastres y el ordenamiento territorial.

Resumen:Las colecciones de mapas y planos históricos que conserva el Archivo Nacional de Costa Rica son de invaluable valor cultural y debido a su fragilidad, deben ser preservados en formato digital para su manipulación. La iniciativa de crear una Cartoteca Histórica de Costa Rica, promueve no solo la protección de estos documentos, sino también su divulgación electrónica. Entre sus principales productos potenciales están los insumos para investigación científica, la consulta en general y la promoción de la geografía histórica.

Abstract:Collections of historical maps which preserve the National Archives of Costa Rica have an invaluable cultural value and due to its fragility, should be preserved in digital format for it manipulation. The initiative for create a Historic Map Library of Costa Rica, not only promotes the protection of these documents but also its electronic divulgation. Its main products are potential inputs for scientific research, consultation in general and the promotion of historical geography.

El terremoto de Cinchona, ocurrido el 8 de enero de 2009, provocó grandes impactos físicos, como la destrucción de infraestructura pública y privada, y sociales, al dejar un total de 2.326 personas damnificadas, 91 heridos, 7 desaparecidos y 25 muertos. Con base en fotografías aéreas y un levantamiento LiDAR de alta resolución, posterior al sismo, se clasificaron 1.900 procesos de ladera basadas en los trabajos de Alcántara-Ayala (2000), Cruden y Varnes (1996) y Highland y Bobrowsky (2008). La importancia de este trabajo para Costa Rica radica en que es la primera vez que se utiliza la clasificación internacional de procesos de ladera de la WP/WLI planteada en 1990.

The Cinchona earthquake of January 8, 2009, caused great physical impacts such as the destruction of the public and private infrastructure, including social, and left a total of 2,326 persons displaced, 91 injured, 7 missing, and 25 dead. Based on aerial photographs and the implementation of high resolution LiDAR, after the earthquake, 1,900 hillside processes were classified based on the Works of Alcántara- Ayala (2000), Cruden and Varnes (1996) and Highland y Bobrowsky (2008). The importance of this work for Costa Rica lies in the fact that it is the first time the international classification of hillside processes of the WP/WLI established in 1990 was used.

O terremoto de Cinchona, ocorrido no dia 8 de janeiro de 2009, provocou grandes impactos físicos, como a destruição de infraestrutura pública, privada e sociais, ao deixar um total de 2.326 pessoas danificadas, 91 feridos, 7 desaparecidos e 25 mortos. Com base em fotografias aéreas e um levantamento LiDAR de alta resolução, após o sismo, foram classificados 1.900 processos de escorregamentos baseados nos trabalhos de Alcántara-Ayala (2000), Cruden e Varnes (1996), e Highland e Bobrowsky (2008). A importância deste trabalho para a Costa Rica está em que é a primeira vez que se utiliza a classificação internacional de processos de escorregamento da WP/ WLI, proposta em 1990.