GEOGRAPHICAL AND GIS ANALYSIS OF THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1838 IN PEST-BUDA

András TENK, Lóránt DÁVID

ABSTRACT: This paper analyses the Great Flood of 1838 with the help of geographic information system (GIS) tools. The flood reached its peak on 15th March at the Pest-Buda section. "Great floods" were able to develop due to different reasons. The icy flood of 1838 was caused by the sudden onset of high water levels in spring, after a sustained cold period and ice formation. That year, melting began earlier at the upper section of the river than in the lower parts of the Danube Valley, namely in the Danube Bend area. Damage assessment began immediately after the recession of the flood. During the analysis of the flood events, we aimed to find out which settlements were most affected by the destruction of the flood, and why. Furthermore, we examined the data from the relevant mapping reconstructions to determine whether there was a connection between water depths and the location of the Paleo-Danube beds. We also described which areas remained dry during the flood, offering safe places to the people. We have compared all these with the information of historical descriptions, and related them to the geographical environment based on military and other maps.

Keywords: Flood, Historical geography, Settlement development, Pest-Buda, GIS

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