Special Issue dedicated to Francisco Hervé: Global tectonic processes of the ancient southwestern Gondwana margin in South America and the Antarctic Peninsula
Edited by:
- Mauricio Calderón, PhD, Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile
- Paula Castillo, PhD, Universität Münster, Deutschland
- Robert Pankhurst, PhD ScD, United Kingdom
Submission status: Extended until September 30, 2025
Special Issue: Geoethics in Chile and Latin America - Contextual reflections for responsible geoscience
Edited by:
- Luisa Pinto, Universidad de Chile
- Hernán Bobadilla, Politecnico di Milano
- Tania Villaseñor, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Pablo Ramírez, Universidad de Chile
- Millarca Valenzuela, Universidad Católica del Norte
Submission status: Open between August 15, 2025, and March 31, 2026
Ocurrencia de aguas subterraneas a gran presion en el Tunel Comun Alfalfal: caracteristicas, solucion adoptada e interpretacion
Santiago Castro, Hugo Delucchi, Leif-Rune Gausereide, Jaime Caviedes, Lucio Velasco
Abstract
ABSTRACT. High pressure ground water influx into the Alfalfal Main Tunnel: characteristics, remedial action and interpretation. During excavations of the Alfalfal Hydroelectrical Project Main Tunnel a case of large ground water inflow occurred, with 150 l/s influx into the tunnel, with an unusually high measured pressure of 100 bars. There are no previous records of similar pressure under the same conditions in Chile.The Alfalfal Consulting Team designed a special method of excavation and support by sections, as well as a systematic cement-bentonite slurry injection system in order to solve the problem and continue with the normal tunnel excavation. The hydrogeological interpretation considers the existence of a water zone that coincides with one of the main fracture systems, with orientation NS-5°W and dipping ca 35°E. Its opening is favored by the rock stress situation, thus allowing the 1,000 m connection with the surface.