Influence of paleochannels on liquefaction effects in the cities of Chone and Portoviejo (Ecuador) following the strong Pedernales earthquake in 2016

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of Mw 7.8 and a nearby epicenter in the city of Pedernales, Ecuador, occurred on April 16, 2016. This seismic event severely affected several cities in Ecuador, including Chone and Portoviejo, both in the Manabí province, located some 85 km and 150 km away from the hypocenter, respectively. In Chone, a total of 662 homes were damaged, while 2,678 collapsed dwellings were registered in Portoviejo, where 137 fatalities were reported. These, like most cities in the Manabí province, were built in narrow valleys over colluvial and alluvial soils.  The thickness of these sediments in contact with the rock is between 40 and 70 meters, which corresponds to both ancient and contemporary alluvial plains that are supported by alluvial-colluvial and alluvial valley-fill deposits. After the 2016 interplate subduction earthquake, the main co-seismic geological effects were reported for constructions built on these soils. Landslides were primarily documented in the colluvial soils, while soil liquefaction effects were reported in soft and loose soils. In this research, the influence of the presence of paleochannels in both cities, Chone and Portoviejo, on the liquefaction effects reported during the seismic event is analyzed.

The Chone River flows through Chone city from east to west, while its western part was modified after 1975, leaving an abandoned meander where the river channel was between 7 and 22 meters wide. The soil profile in this area demonstrates a low percentage of fines, ranging from 15 to 52%, with a relative density of about 50%, making it susceptible to liquefaction. After the 2016 earthquake, evidence of liquefaction effects was concentrated along the old meander. The Portoviejo River, which flows through the city of Portoviejo, has changed from a pronounced meandering shape in 1911 to its current form. This change spans about 4.5 km with a low slope between 0.1 and 0.2%. The width of the river has also been reduced, from 12 to 19 meters. The analysis of the liquefaction evidence indicates that the damage was very severe, especially in the constructions along the river.

The damage inventories performed in both cities have evidenced that paleochannels exhibited several signs of soil liquefaction. The geological and geotechnical conditions of these soils, such as size distribution, shallow groundwater table and recent-age deposits, may be considered as factors potentially increasing the probability of liquefaction. Therefore, a geomorphological study of the cities can help identify areas with a higher liquefaction potential.