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Geological and geotechnical characteristics of recent lahar deposits from El Misti volcano in the city area of Arequipa, South Peru

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Abstract

This study provides geotechnical characteristics of recent lahar deposits on which the city of Arequipa (South Peru) is built. Geological and sedimentological observations point out the existence of three types of lahar deposits in the Arequipa region: fine hyperconcentrated-flow deposits, coarse hyperconcentrated-flow deposits, and debris-flow deposits. The mineral components identified in the three types of lahars show that they are linked to the outcropping volcanic rocks around Arequipa city. Physical measurements (dry density, grain-size distribution, specific surface of the grains based on methylene blue tests) and mechanical tests (in situ dynamic cone penetration soundings, oedometric and Casagrande shear-box tests) were performed on the three main categories of soils. Our results highlight that hyperconcentrated-flow deposits are fine sand- and silt-rich deposits that lack clay particles. Their dry density is low (ρd = 1.25 g/cm3) and their friction angle is high (ϕ = 38°) which contribute to the peculiar dynamics of lahar flows and to their high erosive power. The low apparent density provides a better capacity for the debulking process, whereas the high friction angle takes part in the erosion process. Finally, the geotechnical properties observed here suggest that the high contents in silica pyroclastic particles and the lack of clay or fine particles control the rheological behavior of lahar deposits. We can also consider that the rheological behavior of lahars through time is complex and that existing older lahars can be remobilized by heavy rain or future stream flows and lahars.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Project Laharisk (2010–2013) funded by the French National Agency for Research (ANR—RiskNat) and all our Peruvian colleagues in Arequipa for their help, especially during the work field. The first author wishes also to thank especially V. Pallares and X. Quidelleur.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chaire de Géotechnique, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, 2, rue Conté, 75141, Paris Cedex 03, France

    Carlos Pallares & Denis Fabre

  2. Laboratoire GEOPS, UMR 8148, Université de Paris-Sud, 91405, Orsay, France

    Carlos Pallares

  3. CNRS, 91405, Orsay, France

    Carlos Pallares

  4. Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans CNRS UMR 6524 et IRD UR163, PRES Clermont, Université Blaise Pascal, 5 rue Kessler, 63038, Clermont-Ferrand Cedex, France

    Jean-Claude Thouret & Kim Martelli

  5. Institut Pascal CNRS UMR 6602, Polytech Clermont, PRES Clermont, Université Blaise Pascal, 24, Av. des Landais, 63174, Aubière, France

    Claude Bacconnet & Aurélie Talon

  6. Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Nacional de San Agustín, Ciudad Universitaria, Av. Independencia s/n, Área de Ingenierías, Arequipa, Peru

    Juan Antonio Charca-Chura & Calixtro Yanqui-Murillo

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  1. Carlos Pallares
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  2. Denis Fabre
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  3. Jean-Claude Thouret
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Correspondence to Carlos Pallares.

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Pallares, C., Fabre, D., Thouret, JC. et al. Geological and geotechnical characteristics of recent lahar deposits from El Misti volcano in the city area of Arequipa, South Peru. Geotech Geol Eng 33, 641–660 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-015-9848-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-015-9848-x

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