Análisis geomecánico de la inestabilidad del escarpe La Paloma, en la Ciudad de Morelia, Michoacán, México

Land slope instability has attracted much attention recently because of a number of large disasters in urban areas. However, decisions regarding urban development are usually made without geoscientific supervision and consequently urban sites have been developed in highly vulnerable areas. Disasters in populated areas associated with land slope instability, and triggered by seismic events or exceptionally long rainy periods, have prompted many geoscientists into assessing the real magnitude of danger of such events occurring. In Morelia, urban development has taken place in many areas that are vulnerable to hydrogeological hazards. An specific case is the urban area developing to the south of the city, where the unstable areas of SEDUE, Campestre and Ocolusen were identified. Rock falls, landslides, and mud slides are all examples of the different types of land instability characterized in these areas. Although land slope instability events are mainly triggered by seismic events, hydrogeological factors also play an important role.