Risk assessment to landslides in the urban area of the municipality of San Nicolas

Abstract

This study was conducted in the urban area of the Municipality of San Nicolas, Estelí Department, considering the susceptibility to landslides, because of its natural physical conditions and man-made. In order to determine the risk to landslides, it was analyzed two components: the susceptibility and vulnerability. The hazard was not analyzed because of the lack of information to obtain the periods of recurrence.

The results of susceptibility to slope movements were as follows: 34% of the study area got susceptibility Moderate and30% Very High susceptibility. This data indicates that the territory has a high hazard level. The vulnerability was obtained by the sum of four components, subdivided into twenty-four subcomponents and subtracting resilience indicators. The components had higher vulnerability index are: the physical or built environment, as there is no management of surface water and no solid waste treatment; also the economic component, due to low income and high rates unemployment. This implies a poor implementation of regulations. Multiplying both factors (susceptibility and vulnerability), we found the following: 17 buildings and cemetery are located in places from High to Very High Risk. However, according to analysis by the author, as other parameters, all buildings are under High Risk due to the direction of movement of slopes. This does not mean that the whole village will be affected simultaneously, however indicates that landslides can reach populated areas.