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BASIC PHYSIOGRAPHIC ASPECTS INFLUENCING HUMAN SETTLEMENT 
IN THE "SERRA DO MAR" AND ADJACENT AREAS IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL 
O.P.G.Braun 
C.de Souza Pontes 
PETROBAS - DEPEX-DITEC-SEBINT 
Av. Repüblica do Chile, 65 Sala 1826 - Centro 
20031-170 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil 
ISPRS Commission VII / Working Group 9 
ABSTRACT 
The "Serra do Mar"encompasses the northeast-trending ranges that border the southeastern coast of Brazil. It 
comprises a complex ecosystem that has been deeply damaged by increasing human settlement expanding 
from neighbouring metropolis. Rainy climate and a drainage in young stage keep a high dynamic 
geomorphology causing frequent floods and landslides. Vegetation distribution and soil stability as well as 
real state value and life quality change with geomorphologic conditions. Studies based on remote sensing 
images performed in order to search for best sites to build underground fuel reservoirs and pipe-lines gave 
opportunity to observe how geologic setting and structural framework control that geomorphologic 
conditions. Some examples of remote sensing images will illustrate how the knowledge of some expressive 
physiographic aspects of this region can provide a useful tool for human settlement planning and natural 
disasters prevention. 
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