Geoheritage constitutes a natural resource that promotes sustainable rural tourism by creating employment and activities that allow population settlement in unpopulated areas with great natural heritage. The objective of this work is to value the singularity and variety of the geosites, which show a wide geodiversity, with lithological, geomorphological, tectonic and natural process diversity (fluvial, coastal, sedimentary, etc.). In the “Arosa estuary” (Galicia, Spain), seven Geosites have been identified, described and valued, determining their scientific, educational and tourist-recreational potential and obtaining values between 565 and 660 points. The state of conservation and risk of degradation is analyzed in order to proceed with their geoconservation, promoting sustainable geo-tourism. The values of degradation susceptibility range between 0.03 and 3 points, and anthropic degradation between 0.33 and 1.73 points. A 3D virtual itinerary is made using Google Earth, implementing descriptive sheets, interpreted diagrams and photographs, and analysis of the geological processes. An interactive virtual flight is presented for academic and tourist purposes to promote geotourism. The virtual tour also has geomatic didactic elements: geoapp and georeferenced thematic cartographies. These resources are helpful for the unknown geoheritage of the population that lives or visits the “Arosa estuary”, favoring sustainable development and fostering attitudes and skills of respect for nature.

Soil erosion in coastal areas, driven by global change and human activity, poses a significant threat to ecological and economic stability. This research investigates water erosion in the southeast of the Ría de Arosa (Pontevedra, Spain), utilizing the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model and Geographic Information System technologies. Key factors analyzed include rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topography, land cover, and conservation practices. High-resolution maps (1 × 1 m pixels) identified areas at high risk of erosion. Vulnerable zones, such as coastal cliffs and vineyards, show severe erosion rates exceeding 50 t/ha/year (>5 mm/year), with the most extreme zones reaching up to 200 t/ha/year (>200 mm/year). These results emphasize that intervention could be required or recommended. Suggested measures include reforestation, effective agricultural land management, or the implementation of vegetative barriers to reduce erosion. These areas, characterized by steep slopes and sparse vegetation, are particularly susceptible to soil loss, necessitating specific conservation efforts. The results underscore the need for sustainable coastal management practices and preventive strategies to protect this vulnerable coastal zone. Implementing these measures is crucial to mitigating the impacts of soil erosion, preserving natural resources, and ensuring long-term ecological and economic resilience in the region.

In recent decades, natural disasters have increased drastically, with slope movements being the most damaging geological hazard, causing thousands of deaths and considerable economic losses. To reduce these losses, it is necessary to carry out cartographies that spatially delimit these risks, preventing and mitigating the effects through the analysis of susceptibility in areas of great environmental value, as is the case of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park. For this purpose, different statistical methods combined with Geographic Information Systems have been developed. The susceptibility assessment methodology is carried out by integrating different thematic layers: lithology, geomorphology (slopes, curvature, aspect), hydrogeology and vegetation, performing map algebra and taking into consideration their weighting using deterministic methods (analytical hierarchy method). The susceptibility results are grouped into Very High, High, Medium, Low and Very Low so that the areas of Very High susceptibility correspond to areas of the high slope, without vegetation, south facing, with a lithology of quartzites, metapelites, and gneisses (canyons, steep valleys) and, in the case of very low susceptibility, with a lithology of quartzites, metapelites, and gneisses, On the contrary, the sectors of lower susceptibility coincide with flat areas, denser vegetation, north facing, with a lithology of conglomerates, pebbles, sands and clays, such as erosion surfaces or valley bottoms. The analysis carried out in this current investigation will allow the territorial delimitation of problem areas and the establishment of risk mitigation and management measures.

In this study, an analysis of coastal vulnerability and flood risk due to sea-level rise was conducted in the southern margin of the Ría of Arosa, Pontevedra (Spain), which is an area of urban impact and tourist activity. The vulnerability index was calculated using the following parametric maps: lithology, geomorphology, slope, elevation, distance, coastline change, significant wave height, sea level, and extreme tidal range. This vulnerability index was validated through the results obtained from the flood risk analysis, developed for different temporal and extreme scenarios (Xa—present, Xb—100 years, Xc—500 years, Xd—1000 years, Xe—storm, and Xf—tsunami). These analyses were performed using Geographic Information System and remote sensing techniques, spatial analysis, interpolation processes, and geostatistical analysis. The results of the analysis show the vulnerable areas and areas at high risk of coastal flooding, with the urbanized area exposed to a risk of 7.45 km². Thus, this study contributes to designing appropriate management for the coastline of the southern margin of the Ría of Arosa in the event of a flood.

Natural disasters have been significantly affecting the natural and artificial environment for decades. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out adequate territorial planning in order to predict and mitigate possible natural risks in areas of great environmental value and interest, which is the case of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park. In order to achieve this, geotechnical mapping should be carried out followed by hazard mapping, taking into account the lithological, hydrogeological and geomorphological characteristics and, in addition, the real erosion rates. The results indicate that, in the study area, there are three areas with different geotechnical characteristics, classified according to their lithological, geomorphological and hydrological characteristics. In terms of hazards, there are five zones: with hydrological problems; lithological and geomorphological problems; geomorphological and hydrological problems; geomorphological and lithological problems; and geotechnical problems. Finally, it can be concluded that geotechnical mapping enables us to delimit areas of recommendations and limitations of use in terms of construction activities which, together with natural hazard mapping, will be very useful in the preparation of risk mapping for land-use planning.

A detailed analysis of the Viñales National Park (VNP) was carried out to evaluate the main geosites of geomorphological interest inside the park. This allowed the selection of areas (AIG) and localities (LIG) with 20 geosites of geological interest (PIG) suitable to evaluate their importance as geoheritage. Moreover, three field trips and one virtual itinerary encompassing the park aimed to improve the geological–geomorphological knowledge to be used in geotouristic and preservation issues. The methodology included preparing five maps: relief, drainage pattern, slopes, lithology and geomorphology (forms and structures) and representing them on a digital terrain model (DTM) for a better visualisation and selecting the geosites (poljes, valleys and mountain fronts). The evaluation of the selected PIG is based on the criteria proposed by Spanish Institute of Geology and Mining, grouping them in places and areas of interest. The virtual itinerary favour real-time usage of web sites and geoportals. As a result, this paper presents map layers and geomorphological descriptions of the AIG and LIG with the most relevant aspects and valuations of the PIG, AIG and LIG. The PIG reached values between 1050 (Viñales Valley) and 365 (La Jutia Valley). The AIG and LIG ranged between 2190 (Santo Tomás Polje) and 675 (La Cuevita Polje).