The occurrence of MRP is related to the external geodynamics of the Earth’s crust, which are the most common processes occurring each year around the world. In the case of Ecuador, these events, within the ROW (Right Of Way), have affected the integrity of the ROW, bringing dangerous OCP pipe bursts and thus oil spills affecting the surrounding terrain and water bodies.
Landslides are phenomena subject to a degree of uncertainty due to the different geological – geotechnical areas involved; this research tries to determine the susceptibility of the terrain to landslide using these intrinsic factors, environmental properties (topography, moisture, lithology) and other variables that could trigger these conditions (e.g. rain, earthquakes). Each factor defines an index of influence for a given site when combined and correlated to the threat of a specific severity, which allows for a value to be ratesed on its susceptibility.
The recognition of the threats and the susceptibility of the terrain to landslide is a very useful tool to identify and divide the land into homogeneous areas and scale them according to their actual or potential threat.
The mapping is performed on an area where there is occurrence data of the events or phenomena. This data can then be extrapolated to determine the potential threat in areas where no data exists. The collected information is processed using GIS software to be spatially represented information.
Maps generated with this methodology are used and applied as key tools in decision making processes for land use planning. The result of their application also increases the understanding of natural phenomena in the study area, leading to an efficient and sustainable development.
This methodology is not intended under any circumstances, to ignore the geotechnical field and laboratory data, and it can not predict the kind of slippage that could occurs.
