Landslides: Extent and economic significance in Honduras

Landslides are a recognized, but little studied phenomena in Honduras, Central America. Recent investigation in the Department of Atlantida, bordering the Caribbean Sea, and the metropolitan area surrounding Tegucigalpa, the capital city, analyzed landslide frequency and factors contributing to their occurrence. Other areas in Honduras are known to be landslide-prone. No records are kept of lives lost nor value of facilities and property damaged due to landsliding. However, fatalities have occurred and roads, many homes, and other developments have suffered damage or destruction. A large slide along the Highway to the North reportedly cost over $1 million to repair. In the metropolitan area of Tegucigalpa, one landslide destroyed 200 homes and another, 50 homes. Failures in an uncompacted fill beneath a newly constructed housing project on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa damaged just-completed houses. As urban growth expands rapidly into steeper, and often less stable, terrain and development fosters industries such as logging, farming and hydroelectric projects, the risk of landslide catastrophes increases sharply.