## 6 Conclusions  
Geophysical methods, both seismic and electrical, have been used to map the distribution of the critical zone (CZ) laterally and vertically along the Eastern Betic Shear Zone (EBSZ). The CZ was mapped from the geophysical investigation in four different profiles: La Torrecilla, La Salud North, La Salud South, and Carrascoy. The P-wave tomography, MASW, and resistivity (ERT) models have provided valuable information to interpret the vertical and horizontal distribution of the shallow subsurface of active fault zones on profiles La Torrecilla and La Salud North. Similarly, the P-wave tomography and MASW methods were applied on profiles La Salud South and Carrascoy. The interpretation of these models allowed us to identify significant features of the subsurface: (i) the thickness of the CZ; (ii) the impact of the fault zone, elevation and topographic slope in the thickness of the CZ; and (iii) the relationship between the geological units forming the CZ and its thickness. The final interpretation of the CZ thickness is the area where all the geophysical methods coincide. The CZ is identified along the profiles featuring low seismic velocity (Vp \(<\) 1300 m/s and Vs \(<\) 600 m/s) and high resistivity (\(\rho\) \(>\) 200 \(\Omega\)m) and includes different fault zones. The thickness of the CZ varies along the profiles, with the average CZ thickness at La Torrecilla 40-50 m, La Salud North 35-45 m, La Salud South 40-47.5 m, and Carrascoy 30-40 m.  
For complex locations where there is a combination of the fault zone and elevation differences, the thickness of the CZ may be controlled by one or both. In La Torrecilla and La Salud North, the CZ thickness is mostly controlled by the AMF shear deformation zone. In the La Salud South profile, the thickness of the CZ is more controlled by low elevation, with a thickness slightly larger than the CZ near the S-AMF shear deformation zone fault zone. Meanwhile, the thickest CZ in the Carrascoy profile is in the ACNF fault zone and has a low elevation. Based on the relationship between geological units and the thickness of the CZ, the CZ in the Carrascoy profile is the thinnest with the geological units in the form of marlstone, Red Unit, and Pleistocene-Quarterary alluvial fan. The La Salud North and La Salud South profiles are intermediate CZ composed of quaternary formations (alluvial gravels and siltstones). Then, the thickest CZ is on the La Torrecilla profile which is composed of Quaternary fluvial sediments and alluvial fan deposits (quartzite conglomerates and unconsolidated deposits formed by gravel, sands, silts, and clays). Conceptualization, R.C., H.H., J.A. and I.D. ; methodology, R.C., H.H., J.A. and I.D. ; software, R.C., H.H. and J.A. ; validation, R.C., J.A., I.D., R.M.-B., J.G.-M., J.J.M.-D., D.M., J.M.I.-A., I.P. and T.T. ; formal analysis, H.H., R.C., J.A., I.D., R.M.-B., J.G.-M., J.J.M.-D., D.M., [PERSON]-A., I.P. and T.T. ; investigation, R.C., J.A., I.D., R.M.-B., [PERSON]-M., [PERSON]-D., D.M., [PERSON]-A., I.P. and T.T. ; data curation, R.C., J.A., I.D., R.M.-B., [PERSON]-M., [PERSON]-D., D.M., [PERSON]-A., I.P. and T.T. ; writing--original draft preparation, H.H., R.C., J.A., I.D. and I.P. ; writing--review and editing, H.H., R.C., J.A., I.D., I.P.,R.M.-B., [PERSON]-M., J.J.M.-D., D.M., J.M.I.-A., I.M. and T.T. ; visualization, H.H., R.C., J.A., I.D., R.M.-B., J.G.-M., J.J.M.-D., D.M., J.M.I.-A., I.P. and T.T. ; supervision, R.C., J.A., I.D., R.M.-B., [PERSON]-M., J.J.M.-D., D.M., J.M.I.-A., I.P. and T.T. ; project administration, R.C., J.A., I.D., R.M.-B., [PERSON]-M., [PERSON]-[PERSON], D.M., [PERSON]-A., I.P. and T.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. J.A. is funded by grant IJC2018-036074-I and by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033. I.P. is funded by the Spanish Government and the Universidad de Salamanca ([PERSON] grant BEGAL 18/00090).