SPACE TIME EVOLUTION OF THE MAIN GEOGRAPHICAL ELEMENTS OF BAIA MARE DEPRESSION USING GIS METHODS

Abstract

This paper aims at following the time and space evolution of several geographical elements of either physical or human nature in Baia Mare Depression. This action was based on a series of satellite images from Landsat and Sentinel satellites, taken in different years between 1986 and 2017. Significant alterations have been discovered after processing such images. The lower drainage basins of Someș and Lăpuș Rivers have changed; their routes underwent alterations of their meanders on a distance of 500 meters during the period mentioned above (1986-2017). The wooded areas have also been altered, in both a negative (clearances) and positive (plantations) manner. Because Baia Mare was a major mining town, several tailing dumps and tailing management facilities have been established around it. Their evolution has been followed in this article, including the 2000 accident, which was one of the most unprofitable ecologic disasters of Romania. At the same time, the evolution of the city of Baia Mare has been assessed in an analysis where the built-up areas have been considered.