Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Mud Diapirism Dynamics in Membrillal, Cartagena de Indias: Implications for Rural Communities and Susceptibility Assessment
Source abstract
Abstract
This study presents the first integrated quantification of mud diapirism susceptibility in the Membrillal sector of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, through a multidisciplinary approach combining geospatial, geotechnical, hydrogeochemical, and socio-structural analyses. Using GIS-based multicriteria modeling, household surveys (n = 240), and temporal satellite imagery from 2013 to 2024, the research identifies spatial and temporal dynamics of active mud volcano reactivation. Field sampling of vent waters and gases followed ISO/IEC 17025 and APHA–AWWA–WEF standards, revealing high-salinity fluids (TDS = 13,220 mg/L; EC = 20.4 mS/cm; pH = 8.0) with elevated chloride (6996 mg/L) and low sulfate (1.67 mg/L) under reducing conditions, though a significant charge-balance discrepancy (Na+ = 8 mg/L) indicates either sample dilution during the collection or presence of unmeasured cationic species, and low free-gas flux constrained by high-density brine sealing. Principal component analysis of 240 georeferenced dwelling surveys yielded dimension-specific reliability (α = 0.68–0.76) and strong spatial correlation (Spearman ρ = 0.61–0.87) between vent proximity and structural damage—46.9% of dwellings exhibited visible cracking, with 27.2% severe (width > 1.5 mm). Satellite differencing documented 233% increase in active vents (3→10) and 35% vegetation reduction correlated with informal settlement expansion into moderate-to-high susceptibility zones. Weighted overlay GIS modeling (validated Kappa = 0.82) classified four hazard classes; high-susceptibility zones (18% of the study area) encompassed all ten active vents. Findings underscore anthropogenic pressurization drivers—primarily surface loading from settlement densification—and the need for continuous InSAR deformation monitoring, piezometric observation, complete hydrogeochemical characterization (including alkalinity and unmeasured cations), and establishing early-warning thresholds for community risk mitigation.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena · Geothermal Energy Systems and Applications · Hygrothermal properties of building materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
GIGA—Applied Geotechnical Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias 130015, Colombia
Faculty of Engineering, Fundacion Universitaria Tecnologico Comfenalco, Cartagena Cra 44D N 30ª, 91, Cartagena 130015, Colombia
GIMA—Environmental Modelling Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias 130015, Colombia
Faculty of Engineering and Basic Sciences, Fundacion Universitaria Los Libertadores, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
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