Paper
Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Geotechnical Characteristics of Magha Landslides in the Bambouto Caldera, West Cameroon
- Authors:
- G.E Ekodeck; V. Kamgang Kabeyene Beyala; M.A Nankam; R. Medjo Eko; A.S.L Wouatong
- Abstract
- The Magha region located in the Bambouto caldera is a rainy and mountainous spot in Cameroon. Between 1954 and 2003, more than eight disasters due to landslides have been recorded in the area, among which six were catastrophic. An investigation for understanding the mechanism of landslide occurrence in that region was recently performed. The study included geomorphological, mineralogical and geotechnical characteristics of the local soil material. Soil profiles examined showed that lenses of sand are found within the soil mass. These lenses are seats of substantial pore water pressure during rainfalls and they contribute to triggering landslides. Specimens collected from soil profiles revealed that the soil material is made of mainly smectite, some kaolinite, halloysite, and illite. It is found that high plasticity and substantial expandability of smectite infer a significant lubricant capacity to the local soils, which decreases the shearing resistance and the safety factor of slopes, and consequently trigger landslides.
- Keywords
- Magha; Weathering; Saprolite; Smectite; Kaolinite; Landslide
- StartPage
- 35
- EndPage
- 48
- Doi