The effect of hydrogeological and hydrochemical dynamics on landslide triggering in the central highlands of Ethiopia

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dc.contributor.authorMebrahtu, T. K.
dc.contributor.authorBanning, Andre
dc.contributor.authorGirmay, E. H.
dc.contributor.authorWohnlich, S.
dc.contributor.funderDeutscher Akademischer Austauschdiensten
dc.contributor.funderResearch School, Ruhr University Bochumen
dc.contributor.funderDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaften
dc.date.accessioned2021-11-24T13:48:44Z
dc.date.available2021-11-24T13:48:44Z
dc.date.issued2021-02-12
dc.date.updated2021-11-23T14:59:50Z
dc.description.abstractThe volcanic terrain at the western margin of the Main Ethiopian Rift in the Debre Sina area is known for its slope stability problems. This report describes research on the effects of the hydrogeological and hydrochemical dynamics on landslide triggering by using converging evidence from geological, geomorphological, geophysical, hydrogeochemical and isotopic investigations. The chemical characterization indicates that shallow to intermediate aquifers cause groundwater flow into the landslide mass, influencing long-term groundwater-level fluctuations underneath the landslide and, as a consequence, its stability. The low content of total dissolved solids and the bicarbonate types (Ca–Mg–HCO3 and Ca–HCO3) of the groundwater, and the dominantly depleted isotopic signature, indicate a fast groundwater flow regime that receives a high amount of precipitation. The main causes of the landslide are the steep slope topography and the pressure formed during precipitation, which leads to an increased weight of the loose and weathered materials. The geophysical data indicate that the area is covered by unconsolidated sediments and highly decomposed and weak volcanic rocks, which are susceptible to sliding when they get moist. The heterogeneity of the geological materials and the presence of impermeable layers embodied within the highly permeable volcanic rocks can result in the build-up of hydrostatic pressure at their interface, which can trigger landslides. Intense fracturing in the tilted basalt and ignimbrite beds can also accelerate infiltration of water, resulting to the build-up of high hydrostatic pressure causing low effective normal stress in the rock mass, giving rise to landslides.en
dc.description.sponsorshipProjekt DEAL (Open Access funding); Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), PhD scholarship grant); Research School, Ruhr University Bochum (Ruhr University Research School PLUS, funded by Germany’s Excellence Initiative (DFG GSC 98/3))en
dc.description.statusPeer revieweden
dc.description.versionPublished Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.citationMebrahtu, T.K., Banning, A., Girmay, E.H. and Wohnlich, S. (2021) ‘The effect of hydrogeological and hydrochemical dynamics on landslide triggering in the central highlands of Ethiopia’, Hydrogeology Journal, 29, pp. 1239–1260. doi: 10.1007/s10040-020-02288-7en
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s10040-020-02288-7en
dc.identifier.endpage1260en
dc.identifier.issn1431-2174
dc.identifier.issued3en
dc.identifier.journaltitleHydrogeology Journalen
dc.identifier.startpage1239en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/12259
dc.identifier.volume29en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherSpringeren
dc.relation.urihttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10040-020-02288-7
dc.rights© The Authors 2021. Open Access. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.en
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/en
dc.subjectEthiopiaen
dc.subjectHydrochemistryen
dc.subjectLandslidesen
dc.subjectStable isotopesen
dc.subjectTriggering mechanismsen
dc.titleThe effect of hydrogeological and hydrochemical dynamics on landslide triggering in the central highlands of Ethiopiaen
dc.typeArticle (peer-reviewed)en
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