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Evaluation of the Activity of the Mass Movements of Cachi AltoPujilí, Ecuador through Low-Cost Instrument Monitoring

Abstract:

The Cachi Alto zone is located in the Ecuadorian mountain range, as part of the Eastern foothills of the Western Cordillera, approximately 90 Km to the southwest of Quito. The area is part of an extensive region where many external geodynamic processes or mass movements occur, both active and inactive of variable magnitudes. The aim of the study is to assess the state of the activity of mass movements, including the trend or direction of movement of materials, data with which the type of geodynamic processes is also proposed. This research shows the results of instrumental monitoring performed through handmade extensometers and total station theodolite, combined with surface deformation mapping of the crown of the old landslide Cachi Alto. The magnitudes of the displacements and trends vary between 10 mm and 1302 mm to the north and to the south. The monitoring results establish movements in various directions in the horizontal component, as well as settlements and uplifts in the vertical component in various zones located in the upper part of the ancient landslide. Taking into account the obtained results, the mass movements are classified as reactivated and the entire area can be interpreted as unstable. Finally, considering the existing dynamics, it is possible to conclude that geodynamic processes into the area are not related to classical landslides, which is why surface deformations are possibly related to block rearrangement processes in an area affected by deep seated gravitational slope deformation.