EcuadorLandslide RotationalLandslide RainfallTriggeredFailure

A Rotational Slide in Ecuador Leaves Communities Stranded

Mar, 30, 2025
Landslides Slope Stability News On Natural Disasters / Failures
Ecuador, Nabón
Authored by: Geoengineer.org

On March 30, 2025, torrential rainfall triggered a significant landslide near Chanazana in Nabón, Ecuador, displacing an estimated 150,000 cubic meters of earth. This dramatic failure of slope not only wiped out 70 meters of vital roadway but also cut off access for five rural communities: La Ramada, Centro de Chunazana, La Playa, Gundugloma, and Quiobamba. The good news? No human casualties were reported—something rare in events of this scale.

Drone footage reveals that the upper section of the landslide exhibits rotational movement, hinting at underlying instability in the geological structure. In the central part of the scarp, retrogressive failure left behind large displaced blocks, a telltale sign of a complex and layered landslide mechanism.

Flow at the Foot

As the debris descended the valley, the landslide transitioned into a flow-like movement, characteristic of saturated, fine-grained materials being pushed downslope. Though the mobility of the flow was relatively limited, the blockage of the valley formed a new pool of water—a potential secondary hazard that may affect hydrology and slope stability in the coming weeks.

Field observations also suggest a geological contrast at the landslide boundary, possibly influencing the failure’s direction and extent. The sudden and destructive nature of the event serves as a stark reminder of how climate and terrain interact to reshape lives and landscapes in minutes.

A Call for Vigilance

As landslide risks rise globally with shifting rainfall patterns, the Nabón event underscores the importance of early warning systems, slope monitoring, and community education in vulnerable regions. It also offers a crucial case study for geotechnical engineers working in landslide-prone areas.

A drone footage showcasing the massive landslide is given in the following video.