Preliminary hydrogeological characterization of the Rodalquilar area, Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, Almeria

The Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park is one of the regions with the lowest rainfall in the Iberian Peninsula, although torrential events are common. The geological substratum is formed by volcanic rocks of different types, on the top of which there are Tertiary carbonates and more recent Quaternary deposits. This work presents the first results of the hydrogeological investigations being carried out in the Rodalquilar sector. The hypothesis of a possible hydrogeological continuity between volcanic rocks and detrital deposits located at the East is presented. This may condition the similarity of the hydrochemical facies observed, although differences between chemical compositions exist. Against the stormy rainfall, groundwater table in the detrital aquifer sediments shows piezometric raising faster and of higher magnitude than in volcanic rocks.