Topohazard, a novel tool for enhancing gravity-driven flows hazard maps: application to Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador

Topohazard, a novel tool for enhancing gravity-driven flows hazard maps: application to Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Topohazard, a novel tool for enhancing gravity-driven flows hazard maps: application to Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador Jose Manuel Marrero, Francisco J. Vasconez, Pedro Espín Bedón, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6297841/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 13 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Natural Hazards → Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract During the 2015 volcanic crisis and eruption of Cotopaxi --one of Ecuador's highest-risk volcanoes-- an urgent issue arose concerning the integration of the 1:50,000-scale volcanic hazard map, developed in 2004, into digital applications supported by Geographic Information Systems. The incorporation of this lower-resolution map alongside newer, more detailed base cartography revealed critical inconsistencies between the drainage system and lahar hazard areas. To address this challenge, the Instituto Geofísico -- Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN) undertook a rapid update of the 2004 lahar hazard areas. This effort involved fieldwork to redefine the lahar hazard boundaries with greater precision and the development of a novel algorithm called Topohazard. The Topohazard algorithm provides a swift and efficient method for visualizing drainage morphology by generating a raster that highlights topographic differences relative to a user-defined zero-level trajectory, such as a river channel. Leveraging the newly updated high-resolution Digital Elevation Model of Cotopaxi slopes available at the time, this innovative approach improved the understanding of terrain morphology and facilitated more accurate hazard boundary delineation. Through its application, combined with fieldwork, an updated version of the Cotopaxi volcanic lahar hazard map was released in 2016, which also included the previously unaddressed eastern drainage. This work also explored the potential for highly detailed crisis management-oriented maps as a natural evolution of traditional volcanic hazard maps. The application of Topohazard in Latacunga is examined, including a discussion of its limitations, such as challenges posed by flat areas and abrupt changes in flow direction. Differential of topography volcanic hazard crisis management map hazard map representation Full Text Supplementary Files ESM1.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 13 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Natural Hazards → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Major revisions 30 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 03 Apr, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 29 Mar, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 27 Mar, 2025 First submitted to journal 24 Mar, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6297841","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":435659309,"identity":"a11454a9-b941-4b11-b8b1-aa1a70aabaec","order_by":0,"name":"Jose Manuel Marrero","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA2UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACxgYILcPHzMD4AMjg4SNWCw8bMwOzAZhBrG0glWwSIBZBLczt7Q8f3ai5x8PGznus8muOnQwbAzNQBJ/Des4YG+ccKwY6jC/ttuy2ZKB1bEARfFpm5LBJ57AlALXwmN2W3MYM1MIDFMGrJf3575x/EC3FktvqidGSYMac2wbRwvhx22EitAD9Ip3bB9ZiLM247TiQQcAvhsAQ+5zzLUGOn/+M4cef26rt+dmbHz7Gq6UBicPMAybxKAcBeRRX/iCgehSMglEwCkYmAABagjpdLqzPEwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0332-891X","institution":"Universidad de La Laguna Facultad de Geografía e Historia: Universidad de La Laguna Departamento de Geografia e Historia","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jose","middleName":"Manuel","lastName":"Marrero","suffix":""},{"id":435659310,"identity":"79b9fe42-8dc8-4180-8759-8d63435bddb4","order_by":1,"name":"Francisco J. 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