17 February 2006 rock slide-debris avalanche at

Guinsaugon Philippines: a synthesis  [2009]

Guthrie, Richard H.; Evans, Stephen G.; Catane, Sandra G.; Zarco, Mark A. H.; et al.
The paper presents a synthesis of the key findings of the conference and workshop convened to
consider the causes of and lessons to be learned from the disastrous rockslide-debris avalanche on
17 February 2006 in southern Leyte, Philippines. Some 1,221 people died and the barangay of
Guinsagon was buried. The geology, historical seismicity, progressive disintegration of the rock
mass, development of smectite layers and the continuous development and movement of shears
within the Philippine Fault Zone combine in the steep rugged terrain to produce massive landslides,
of which the 15 million m³ Guinsaugon event was the latest. The relevance of recent heavy rain and
an almost synchronous seismic event are considered but it is concluded that the movement was the
result of progressive failures and tectonic weakening while the landslide hazard was increased by
the presence of rice paddy fields in the valley bottom. An anecdotal time to failure curve is
presented, based on eyewitness accounts and observations of instability. Attention is drawn to the
importance of both the education and training of the local people in the recognition of signs of
potential movement and a reporting management system. Such simple measures could save lives
and empower local communities to take some ownership of their level of landslide risk.