Damage assessment associated with land subsidence in the San Luis Potosi-Soledad de Graciano Sanchez metropolitan area, Mexico, elements for risk management

In the present study, damages associated with land subsidence phenomena in residential structures within the San Luis Potosi-Soledad de Graciano Sanchez Metropolitan Area (San Luis Potosi state, Mexico) were estimated based on a methodology that has been adapted to the Mexican context. As Blong's (Nat Hazards 30:1-23, 2003) methodology does not include the Central Damage Values to land subsidence, these were calculated based on observations made in 282 damaged houses. According to the Central Damage Values, 27 % of the affected property is low damage, 33 % moderate, 21 % high, 15 % severe and 4 % have been demolished. The affected properties correspond to 39,537 m(2) of construction and 40,782 m(2) of surface. The Replacement Ratio is estimated at 1,307 average homes. The damage in equivalent homes is 282, and monetary cost is $2,516,944 USD ($30,203,329 MXN). The collected data, comprised into a GIS, offer the possibility to spatial and temporal monitoring of the damage provoked by land subsidence in homes.