The Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), through the Faculty of Geosciences Engineering (FICT) and the Center for Research and Applied Projects in Geosciences (CIPAT), conducted a geophysical survey campaign in the Cruzpamba and Chalacay sectors of Azuay Province. The activity, carried out from July 2 to 11, 2026, in collaboration with CELEC E.P., CELEC SUR Business Unit, aimed to characterize subsurface conditions in areas with a history of instability through electrical resistivity measurements.
As part of the third year of implementation of the “Applied Research Project on Geological-Geotechnical Studies for the CELEC SUR Business Unit’s Unstable Areas Management Program,” technical staff from ESPOL and CELEC E.P. conducted geoelectric surveys using the Terrameter LS2 equipment at various locations; On behalf of FICT-ESPOL, the fieldwork was led by Robert Brito, M.Sc.
The collected data will be processed and interpreted alongside available geological information to enhance the characterization of the evaluated areas and provide technical criteria for their monitoring, as well as for the future definition of management or mitigation measures. The information obtained will enable the generation of subsurface profiles and the identification of possible saturation conditions, weathered or fractured zones, and other variations in soil characteristics.
Through this campaign, the Faculty of Geosciences Engineering (FICT) reaffirms its contribution to applied research by generating technical information for the study of unstable areas. In addition, it highlights its strategic partnerships with CELEC E.P. and CIPAT to strengthen efforts aimed at monitoring and managing areas with a history of instability.
Project Delegation
- Eng. Paul Carrión, Ph.D., agreement administrator.
- Eng. Fernando Morante, Ph.D., project director.
- Eng. Joselyne Solórzano, M.Sc., co-director of the project.
Team that participated in the campaign:
- Eng. Robert Brito, M.Sc., campaign leader.
- Eng. Luis Pacheco, member of the CIPAT delegation.
- Isai Guaicha, César García and Jesús Zambrano, students who participated as part of their pre-professional internships.
- Eng. Miguel Calderón, who provided technical support on behalf of CELEC EP.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. The initiative contributes to strengthening the technical management of infrastructure related to the energy sector.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. The project applies geophysical tools and scientific knowledge to support decision-making regarding critical infrastructure.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The characterization of unstable areas provides information for risk prevention and land-use planning.
