Baden-Württembergisches Brasilien- und Lateinamerika-Zentrum

TRT Colombia (2024-2025)

Influence of Groundwater Flow on Slope Stability: A Case Study in Medellin, Colombia

Landslides represent a serious natural hazard in many parts of the world, with their frequency and impact being intensified by climate change and increasing settlement in exposed areas. In the Aburrá Valley (Medellín, Colombia), they occur particularly at the transition from different plateaus to the valley slopes, where groundwater movement is assumed to play a key role in slope instability. The aim of the project is to investigate different geological units that promote water infiltration and its distribution in the subsurface, thereby enhancing the weathering of igneous rock and compromising slope stability. The results of the project can contribute to improved risk assessment and provide a solid basis for future hazard mitigation strategies.

Researchers

Hydrogeology work group, Dept. Geosciences, University. Tübingen

  • Dr. Mauricio Arboleda-Zapata, Postdoctoral Researcher
  • Maria Camila Sánchez Posada, MSc student
  • Dr. Carsten Leven, Senior Scientist
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Olaf A. Cirpka, Head of work group 

„Even though I was living in Medellín for many years, I only now realized how relevant the geological system is for the well-being of the communities in the Aburrá Valley – and I could explain this importance to many interested residents during my field work“.

Maria Camila Sánchez Posada (MSc student on the project)

 

“The project opened a large network to me with different universities, research and public institutions that focus on natural disasters in the area. This project gave me some scientific visibility in this specific region in Colombia. For example, I feel happy for being recently invited to participate in a research project funded by the municipality of Medellín focusing on the influence of groundwater flow on slope stability.”

Dr. Mauricio Arboleda-Zapata (Scientist on the project)

 

Investigation of the water infiltration capacity of a volcanic ash in the study area in the Aburrá Valley (Picture: Maria Camila Sánchez Posada).

Hillslope of the Aburrá Valley with Medellín in the background (Picture by Mauricio Arboleda-Zapata)