Abstract

MARTINEZ-CARVAJAL, Hernán Eduardo; ARISTIZABAL, Edier  and  GARCIA-ARISTIZABAL, Edwin Fabián. A case study on causation of the landslide on 26 October 2016 in the northern Colombian Andes. Dyna rev.fac.nac.minas [online]. 2021, vol.88, n.216, pp.22-30.  Epub May 24, 2021. ISSN 0012-7353.  https://doi.org/10.15446/dyna.v88n216.88600.

This paper presents the results of a technical investigation on the causation of the landslide that occurred in Las Nieves quarry on October 26/2016 in the municipality of Copacabana, located in the northern part of the Colombian Andes. This landslide caused the highest number of fatalities in Colombia in 2016 (16 deaths). The study included field visits, soil sampling, study of geology and geomorphology, analysis of rainfall and groundwater flows presented in the area. The information collected is consistent with the hypothesis that the regional groundwater flow generated an increase in water levels in the landslide zone thus triggering the landslide. Finally, a stability analysis (statistical and sensitivity analysis) was performed using the limit equilibrium method, where the effect of the rise in the groundwater table was modelled as the trigger. The stability analysis results showed a low safety factor for the slope, even when low water levels were considered.

Keywords : landslide susceptibility; failure mechanism; ground water table.

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