The inventory and assessment of a geosite in a territory provides a sound basis for the protection and use of its geological heritage. This article aims to evaluate the most relevant geosites in the province of Chimborazo (Ecuador), applying the Spanish Inventory of Sites of Geological Interest (IELIG, in Spanish) method, and proposing alternatives for geotourism development in the studied area. The methodological process was based on: (i) the inventory and preliminary selection of geosites; (ii) a semi-quantitative geosite assessment and proposal of travel itineraries for geotourism; and (iii) the application of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) matrix to establish geotourism development strategies within a framework of sustainability. The global assessment of scientific, tourist, and academic interests demonstrates that 25% of the 20 evaluated geosites have very high interest and 75% have high interest. The top three geosites with the highest degrees of interest are the Chimborazo Volcano, known as ‘Earth’s Closest Point to the Sun’, the Pallatanga geological fault, and the geosite named Comunidad Cacha. The SWOT analysis reveals that travel itineraries that combine cultural heritage elements and geosites could offer a real alternative for the region’s sustainable development through geotourism.

The Q-slope (2015) geomechanical classification is the only empirical methodology for slope stability analysis that considers the effect of ice. This article shows the results of its application for icy slopes in Spain. Despite its sunny image, Spain is a mountainous country with cold winters. Slopes alongside a mountain road and a ski resort carpark have been studied in Puerto de Navacerrada (Madrid region) and Benasque (Pyrenees). This work combines the manual collection of geomechanical data on slope characteristics with an empirical analysis of slope stability and remote data acquisition techniques (Structure from Motion, SfM). The results of the field data collection are shown in a metaverse with two approaches: a 360° image virtual tour and a 3D image repository. One of the novelties of this work is that researchers who wish to replicate these analyses can access a table of input parameters and make a virtual field trip to see the parameters included in this study. The results show that the Q-slope methodology is useful for stability analysis and is conservative in terms of recommendations: All the slopes that are seen as unstable appear as such, but some slopes that do not present problems are shown as “transitional” slopes. The data and observations taken are useful for increasing the methodology database and for completing existing graphs of stable vertical slopes with good quality, as well as slopes with little slope and low quality.

This manuscript presents a relevant practical application of the stability analysis of multi-face slopes that uses the concept of the restricted daylight envelope in multi-faced slopes (MFS). The methodology was applied to the back analysis of a case study of a failed slope in mudstones and sandstones on the Spondylus coast in Ecuador. The instabilities analyzed included several rock cliffs with dihedral rock faces in mudstones. It is interesting to analyze the failure mechanism of these natural coastal slopes because, on the Spondylus coast, several hotels and tourist spots are located near the upper parts of some similar regions. The stereographic projection methodology can simulate complex geometries and simplify the analysis.

El trabajo presente es un artículo de divulgación en el área de recursos hídricos. El objetivo es comunicar los logros de trabajos sobre dotación de agua potable por medio de perforación de acuíferos subterráneos en comunidades rurales y urbano marginales en la provincia Chimborazo. La metodología del escrito es descriptiva y explicativa de la forma en la que fue llevado a cabo el proyecto. Los resultados obtenidos son: ejecución de 250 sondeos eléctricos verticales, perforación de 1 888 metros de formaciones geológicas y colocación de 1 811,20 metros lineales de tuberías y filtros para proveer 40,83 litros por segundo de agua subterránea distribuida a 11 870 habitantes en 10 comunidades a nivel provincial. Conclusiones, 1) Se deben actualizar las metodologías y sistemas de prospección y explotación de aguas subterráneas a nivel nacional, 2) La problemática sobre crecimiento poblacional y falta de agua dejan inconclusos los esfuerzos para disminuir el impacto negativo causado por desabastecimiento de agua segura, 3) Seguir estudiando los acuíferos de Ecuador para obtener información hidrogeológica de detalle la cual permita obtener recursos económicos para la explotación sostenible y sustentable de acuíferos subterráneos.

The Q-slope index is a new geomechanical classification for slope [1] that has become popular and is spreading throughout the world. It is currently being applied in various lithologies, in different countries, mining and civil projects. The Q-slope allows engineers to adjust and optimize slope based on field observations of some geomechanical and geometric parameters that are easy to obtain. The selection of the value of each of the different parameters is made based on tables [2] some of whose parameters are the same as in the tunnel Q index, e.g. roughness (Jr), alteration (Ja), RQD etc. However, if the rock engineering has to analyse many slope with different properties, it is not so intuitive to work with very detailed tables and descriptions. We have therefore based ourselves on the concept of the graphic Geological Strengh Index [3] that uses short descriptions and designs. In this investigation we have selected the two parameters that form the pair of frictional resistance Jr / Ja (joint roughness number and joint alteration number. This Jr / Ja coefficient is very important since it is the multiplied by a correction factor for favorable or unfavorable orientation called O-factor. This O-factor is one of the novelties of the Q-slope compared to the “classic” Q of tunnels. Throughout the investigation we have simplified the descriptions of Jr and Ja (referring the reader to the previous works to know these parameters in grater detail) and created some graphic images that are easy and friendly to implement on site with a multiple choice table.

The study of processes that lead to slope instability and the methodologies that facilitate their classification is crucial for enhancing public safety, preventing natural disasters, and promoting best practices in geotechnical engineering. This research aims to evaluate and compare various empirical methods for analyzing the stability of rock slopes in different geological and environmental contexts, proposing alternatives that advance the state of the art in this field. The proposed methodology begins with an evaluation and synthesis of the current state of knowledge. Bibliographic and bibliometric techniques were employed to identify the most promising methods for investigation, alongside a review of the scientific output related to empirical methods for rock slope stability analysis over the past 38 years. The results of the scientific production analysis in this area demonstrate a sustained increase in high-impact scientific publications from 1984 to 2022, with a notable surge beginning in 2013. This trend suggests a growing dominance in the scientific community, indicating an increasing interest in published results and a potential sustained rise in high-impact articles in the future. An analysis of bibliographic citations highlights the significance of the Q-slope method, which, despite being relatively recent, has garnered a substantial number of citations compared to other empirical techniques for evaluating rock slope stability. The study has also identified five key research areas that underpin the enhancement of scientific knowledge in this domain: i) geomechanical criteria and parameters for calculating safety factors, ii) empirical methods for classifying rock slopes, iii) numerical analysis and finite element methods for slope stability, iv) computational analysis of the strength properties of rock masses, and v) geomechanical methods for evaluating rock masses. This research contributes to the body of scientific knowledge related to the Q-slope geomechanical method and its applicability across various climatic and geological contexts. It stands out by providing a geomechanical characterization of rock slopes, considering critical variables such as geographic location, climate, lithology, and failure types, statistically demonstrating an overall accuracy of 80% in implementing the Q-slope method in Andean countries. The findings emphasize the importance of stereography in the Q-slope method, particularly in scenarios where rock slopes exhibit complex structures, such as multi-faced slopes. These slopes present variations in the orientation of discontinuities along different exposed faces of a single cut, potentially leading to distortions or confusion when applying empirical classification methods for rock slopes. The thesis also investigates a less-studied variable: the effect of ice wedges on rock slopes, while deepening the understanding of photogrammetry and its applications in engineering and education, providing a holistic perspective on the topic. This approach allows for the collection of relevant data that is subsequently evaluated using empirical analysis methods, such as Q-slope. Finally, the research introduces improvements to the methodology proposed by Barton in 2015, streamlining the process of gathering geomechanical information in situations of rock slope instability by summarizing input parameters in various graphical formats. These enhancements facilitate an effective and precise application of the Q-slope methodology, particularly where construction techniques and ground stability are critical. In summary, this study advances scientific, technical, and pedagogical knowledge in the classification of rock slopes. It provides an updated overview of existing information and proposes enhancements to the processes and methods used for empirical stability evaluation. Furthermore, it establishes a solid foundation for future research, promoting the refinement and development of both existing and nov RESUMEN El estudio de procesos que generan inestabilidad de taludes y las metodologías que facilitan su clasificación son de suma importancia para mejorar la seguridad pública, prevenir desastres naturales y promover buenas prácticas en la ingeniería geotécnica. La presente investigación tiene como objetivo evaluar y comparar diversos métodos empíricos de análisis de estabilidad de taludes rocosos en diferentes contextos geológicos y ambientales, proponiendo alternativas que mejoren el estado del arte del área de estudio. La metodología propuesta se inicia evaluando y sintetizando la situación actual del conocimiento, para lo cual se aplicaron técnicas bibliográficas y bibliométricas, que permitieron identificar los métodos más prometedores para la investigación, así como el desarrollo de la producción científica relacionada con los métodos empíricos para análisis de estabilidad de taludes rocosos de los últimos 38 años. Los resultados del análisis de producción científica en el área del conocimiento demuestran que el área estudiada ha experimentado un crecimiento sostenido en la cantidad de publicaciones científicas de alto impacto desde 1984 hasta el 2022, con un notable aumento a partir de 2013. Esto sugiere que existe una tendencia creciente del dominio científico, anticipando al mismo tiempo el interés sobre los resultados publicados y un posible incremento sostenido de artículos científicos de alto impacto en el futuro. Al analizar las citas bibliográficas, se destaca la relevancia del método Q-slope, el cual, a pesar de ser el más reciente, cuenta con una cantidad de citas significativas en comparación con otras técnicas empíricas para la evaluación de estabilidad de pendientes rocosas. El estudio también ha identificado cinco...