The Maritime Delegation of Albufeira has collaborated in thethe awareness actions, promoted by the Civil Protection of that county, which alert to the dangers of the cliffs on the beaches of Albufeira. The last ones took place on the 14th of July, on the beaches of São Rafael and Arrifes, but eight more are planned.
The objective is "to alert bathers to the dangers of the cliffs collapsing, recommending that they place themselves at a minimum safety distance of 1,5 times the height of the cliff", explains the Maritime Authority.
«On the rocky coasts, slopes are called cliffs that are permanently or periodically exposed to the action of the sea. In some parts of the coastal zone, the Algarve has a landscape characterized by irregular erosion. The natural beauty sought by users of these areas is, however, inseparable from the risk arising from the instability of the cliffs», he adds.
The natural evolution (erosion) of the cliffs takes place in an intermittent and discontinuous sequence of instantaneous landslides, which may come to pose a danger to beach users.
«The landslides are very variable in space and time, depending on numerous factors, such as the intensity and frequency of the action of climatic agents, fracturing and the type of rock in which the cliff is carved, human occupation, the presence of vegetation , vibration, seismicity, among others», explains the Maritime Authority.
In this regard, risky strips on the cliffs were identified by the Portuguese Environment Agency – Administration of the Hydrographic Region of the Algarve (ARH), and risk signs were placed on the beaches, as a way of informing and sensitizing users of these bathing areas.
This Maritime Delegation is part of the Captaincy of the Port of Portimão. To know the other planned actions, click here
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