Análisis de deslizamientos mediante interferometría radar en la ciudad de Cuenca-Ecuador

Abstract

The construction of buildings and other infrastructures in high-risk landslides zones has become a significant issue to the communities in Cuenca city. In most cases, landslides are unpredictable; slow movements of the soil cause damages to the structures and with time they become a hazard to the community. The following research project is based on the application and validation of interferometry techniques to detect and monitor landslides that can reach many hectares in size and are formed slowly. The purpose of the research is to promote new techniques to monitor landslides in the region and to serve as a reference to identify potential high-risk zones. Persistent Scatterer technique was applied in different regions of Cuenca city. The focus of the study was the sectors of Jaime Roldos, El Vecino, and Jesus del Gran Poder which were considered to be potential study zones. By the use of interferometry, the study did not show a mass movement in Jaime Roldos sector, while uncertain results were found in the sectors of El Vecino and Jesús de Gran Poder. However, other potential zones of interest were found in Cuenca city, such as the regions near Azuay University, Petroecuador gas storage facilities, and Sinincay which showed a movement of 12.5mm/year. According to the classification by Cruden and Varnes 1996, this corresponds to a slow type of landslide that can potentially generate damages to properties and other infrastructures