Landslides in Cuba

Landslides in Cuba

Figure 2. National landslide risk map of Cuba (Castellanos, 2007).

As can be observed from the Figure, the landslide risk index in Cuba is the highest in seven physiographic regions. Indicated in order of decreasing landslide risk, these are: (1) Sierra Maestra–Gran Piedra, (2) Nipe–Cristal-Baracoa, (3) Guaniguanico, (4) Havana, (5) Macizo Guamuhaya, (6) Santa Clara and (7) Northwest of Holguín. Small isolated areas with higher risk index values were found in other places such as in the north of Camagüey province, but they do not actually represent a physiographic region, although they will be taken into account in the provincial and municipal analysis. A brief explanation of each region is given below.

The Sierra Maestra mountain system is the largest area in Cuba with high landslide risk values. This is mainly caused by the very high hazard values of the hazard indicators, such as steep slope angles, sedimentary and volcanic rocks highly susceptible to landslides combined with a high earthquake hazard. The vulnerability indicator values are low for this region, as compared with other areas, although they increase in the vicinity of Santiago de Cuba because of increasing population density and economic activities. The region also contains many (pre-) historic landslides that are mainly rotational rock slides with large volumes.

The Nipe–Cristal–Baracoa is a large geological and tectonic complex consisting of ophiolite and metamorphic rocks with intense weathering processes. This region has the highest risk values in the Sierra de Nipe and Sierra Cristal, caused by both high values for hazard and vulnerability. The steep slopes in serpentinites or peridotites and the high rainfall amounts are responsible for high hazard index values, whereas the high economic value is due to the nickel mining industry, and the presence of environmental protected areas make this region more vulnerable. The landslides in this region are due to mining activity and poor land use practices and are associated with intensive rill and gulley erosion.

The Guaniguanico mountain system, in western Cuba, has also a considerable area with high landslide risk index values, but they show a more disperse spatial pattern as compared with the two regions presented above. High risk values are concentrated on steep slopes of the most western part, and they are more disperse in the eastern part, where susceptible lithological units are occurring on steep slopes and in regions with fairly high rainfall amounts. In this region, intensive karstification occurs in different types of limestones and carbonated sandstones, which often leads to toppling, rockfall and subsidence features.

Although Havana city is not located in a mountainous region, it still contains a number of areas with high landslide risk values. This is mainly because of the combination of moderate hazard values with very high vulnerability values, caused by the high highest population density and concentration of economic activities. Landslides in this region are normally small because of the geomorphological conditions, but their consequences can be significant.

The Macizo Guamhuaya region has also some areas with high landslide risk index values, which are mainly located close to a large dam (Hanabanilla). The high values here are due to the presence of weathered metamorphic rocks and steep slopes. Another zone with higher risk index values is the region of Villa Clara province, which is another region with more economic activities and higher population densities, especially in Santa Clara and the surrounding municipalities of Placetas and Camaguaní.

The northwest of Holguín province has concentrations of higher landslide risk values. The risk values are dispersed according to the geomorphology of the region. Although the geological units here are considered to have moderate landslide susceptibility, the steep slope angles and higher vulnerability values, caused by the more densely populated Holguín municipality result in moderate to high risk index values.

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