Geotechnical study in Sóller

In Sóller, the dominant substrate is made up of formations of gypsum, anhydrite and salts, accounting for close to 68% of the local geology, followed by limestones, dolomites and marbles. The presence of gypsum and salts implies a significant risk of dissolution processes, which may affect the bearing capacity and the stability of foundations if the ground is not assessed properly before building. Calcàreous materials may exhibit zones of voids or fracturing, making a detailed soil study essential for sizing the optimum foundation.

Seismic activity in Sóller is considered moderate, with 24 events over 30 years and a maximum recorded magnitude of 3.2, which reduces concern about seismic effects in structural design. However, the presence of abundant soluble materials and the possibility of karst-related phenomena require an exhaustive check of the karst before founding. The substrate does not present any risk of expansiveness, so the main limiting factor for the geotechnical study is stability with respect to possible dissolutions and the proper characterisation of underground cavities.