Portugal - Atlas do Ambiente VII.3 - Recursos Hídricos Subterrâneos da Região Autónoma da Madeira

Summary

The mapping of the “Hydrological Underground Resources of the Autonomous Region of Madeira”, Chart VII.3 of the Environment Atlas, scale 1:100 000, aims at informing about the potentialities of the aquifer Systems present, synthetizing representative hydrogeological unities. So one may contribute with informative data for a better intervention in the management of such resources. In the Madeira island the underground aquifers are the only water available to secure options and consumption needs. In the Porto Santo island, regarding the poor natural conditions for storage of underground aquiferous reserves, other options are needed. The definition of the hydrogeological great unities took into account the stratigraphic features of the vulcanic rocks, oriented by the Geological Map of Madeira, 1975. The symbology used in the Chart was adapted to the model used in the international legend of the Hydrogeological Charts (UNESCO, 1970), alterations being made according to specific conditions of the Region. After a geological characterization of each island and mentioning climatic elements such as rainfall, humidity (values still unknown), wind and others, for their importance in the recharge of aquifers, a short description is made of the main phases of water capturing for public supply and other utilizations under several features of search: prospecting wells, holes, captation galleries, etc., use of emergencies or emergency groups, a description being made of the main underground