An integrated, replicable Landslide Early Warning System for informal settlements – case study in Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

Abstract. Due to climate change and growing urbanization, fatalities from landslides are rising worldwide, and thus solutions for people at risk are needed. This is especially the case for the Andean cities which are often expanding into the steep slopes surrounding them. In Medellín, Colombia, a combination of landslide-prone dunite rock and steep slopes in the east of the city creates a high-hazard scenario for about 87,000 residents, most of whom live in informal settlements. We developed a landslide early warning system (LEWS) which can be applied in such semi-urban situations. The LEWS consists mainly of a measurement system of horizontal and vertical sensor lines across the slope and autonomous point-sensors in between these lines. All parts of the LEWS, from hazard assessment to the monitoring system and the reaction capacity, are supported by extensive activities together with the local community to gain trust and create synergies. This also includes local authorities, agencies and NGO's. To test such a system, a prototype has been installed in a neighborhood in Medellín in 2020–2022. The experiences of this installation resulted in a framework for LEWS's of this kind which we have compiled on a wiki-page to facilitate replication by people in other parts of the world. Hopefully, this can stimulate a lively exchange between researchers and other stakeholders who want to use, modify and replicate our system.

Transforming Landslide Prediction: A Novel Approach Combining Numerical Methods and Advanced Correlation Analysis in Slope Stability Investigation

“…The total displacements in Figure 15c confirm concentrated failures governed by translational kinematics. The results demonstrate spatially heterogeneous rupture mechanisms, echoing the fragility concepts of Call et al [58], while reaffirming the interpretive caution around micron-scale pre-failure deformations, as emphasized by Carlà et al for early warning systems [59][60][61][62][63].…”

Cost estimation for the monitoring instrumentalization of Landslide Early Warning Systems

“…The spacing of sensors is adjusted based on the level of landslide risk, with high-risk areas having approximately 8 sensors per hectare and areas with no risk having no sensors. The sensor nodes are developed as open source and can be reproduced using the published PCB schematics, 3D printing models, and building instructions (Gamperl et al, 2023). Details about the measurement system are described in Gamperl et al, (2021) and Singer et al, (2021) and on the Inform@Risk Wiki (www.informatrisk.com).…”

Inform@Risk. The Development of a Prototype for an Integrated Landslide Early Warning System in an Informal Settlement: the Case of Bello Oriente in Medellín, Colombia

“…To achieve this high measurement density at an affordable cost, a new geosensor network consisting of a combination of horizontally installed Continuous Shear Monitor (CSM) (Singer et al, 2009) and wire-extensometer measurement systems combined with low cost wireless sensor nodes (Inform@Risk Measurement Nodes) based on Internet of Things technology has been developed and implemented in Bello Oriente (check Fig. A1, Gamperl et al, 2021;Gamperl et al, 2023). While the CSM and wire-extensometer systems provide continuous, spatially highly resolved deformation observations along measurement profiles, the wireless sensor nodes add punctual observations of deformation and triggering mechanisms based on the integrated MEMS sensors and other external geotechnical and hydrological sensors (e.g.…”