Causes, Characteristics and Impacts of Landslide Processes in Contrasting Areas of the Andean Region

In the Andean region, landslides are common geomorphological agents that can cause disasters. The occurrence and properties of landslides in this region are determined by the interactions of several geological, topographic and climatic factors as well as by anthropogenic activities. A better understanding of the characteristics of landslides can be obtained from comparative studies on climatic, geomorphological and socioeconomic issues. Colombia, which has a tropical, wet climate and a high population density, has one of the highest landslide risks in the world. These landslides are induced by displacements and flows caused by La Niña or the activity of glaciated volcanoes; in contrast, in central-western Argentina, which is arid and sparsely populated, landslides are triggered by rock falls and debris flows and are generally associated with El Niño