PANAMA CANALPANAMA CANALGAILLARD CUT (CULEBRA CUT)GAILLARD CUT (CULEBRA CUT)by by Maung MyatMaung MyatAGENDAAGENDABRIEF INTRODUCTION TO PANAMA BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO PANAMA CANALCANALGAILLARD CUTGAILLARD CUTPANAMAPANAMAThe Canal Zone. The Canal Zone.Geologic profile of the Canal. Atlantic Ocean is to the left.Geologic profile of the Canal. Atlantic Ocean is to the left.Culebra Formation (4) Culebra Formation (4) ––Dark well laminated beds of soft Dark well laminated beds of soft shalesshales, sandy , sandy limestone and calcareous sandstone.limestone and calcareous sandstone.Cucaracha Formation (5) Cucaracha Formation (5) ––Very fine grained clayey rock. Very fine grained clayey rock.GAILLARD CUT (CULEBRA)GAILLARD CUT (CULEBRA)Culebra Cut was the “special wonder” of the canal.Culebra Cut was the “special wonder” of the canal.Here, men and Here, men and machines labored to conquer the 8.75machines labored to conquer the 8.75--mile stretch extending mile stretch extending through the Continental Divide from Gamboa on the Chagres River through the Continental Divide from Gamboa on the Chagres River at the north to Pedro Miguel on the south.at the north to Pedro Miguel on the south.The lowest point in the The lowest point in the saddle between Gold Hill on the east and Contractors Hill on thesaddle between Gold Hill on the east and Contractors Hill on thewest was at elevation 333.5 feet above sea level. west was at elevation 333.5 feet above sea level. Three major slide areas 1) East Culebra, 2) West Culebra and 3) Three major slide areas 1) East Culebra, 2) West Culebra and 3) Cucaracha.Cucaracha.Four different types of slides 1) Gravity, 2) Structural, 3) DefFour different types of slides 1) Gravity, 2) Structural, 3) Deformation ormation and 4) Combination.and 4) Combination.Worst of the slides occurred in 1912 in front of the town of CulWorst of the slides occurred in 1912 in front of the town of Culebra, ebra, West bank of the cut. 75 acres broke away. 10,000,000 cy and West bank of the cut. 75 acres broke away. 10,000,000 cy and 7,000,000 cy from the East bank. Took 1/3 of a year dig out.7,000,000 cy from the East bank. Took 1/3 of a year dig out.View looking south toward the eastern bank of Gaillard Cut, oppoView looking south toward the eastern bank of Gaillard Cut, opposite site Contractors Hill, showing the terraced bank as it was in 1890. Contractors Hill, showing the terraced bank as it was in 1890. This was This was the condition the French left it in. Construction did not startthe condition the French left it in. Construction did not startback up back up until 1905.until 1905.Culebra cut in 1904 prior to start of American construction actiCulebra cut in 1904 prior to start of American construction activities. vities. Construction activities within this section started back up in 1Construction activities within this section started back up in 1905.905.View of a small slide in the west bank of the cut below Culebra View of a small slide in the west bank of the cut below Culebra Hill, Hill, October 16, 1909. A major slide in this area occurred in 1912 wOctober 16, 1909. A major slide in this area occurred in 1912 when 75 hen 75 acres slid into the cut, approximately 10,000,000 CY. acres slid into the cut, approximately 10,000,000 CY.View from Contractors Hill looking north, June, 1912.View from Contractors Hill looking north, June, 1912.This slide is classified as a “structural break” or “deformationThis slide is classified as a “structural break” or “deformation” ” slides.slides.InInthese,these,factors such as unstable geological rock formations, factors such as unstable geological rock formations, slope steepness and height and the effects of blasting combine tslope steepness and height and the effects of blasting combine to form a o form a slide.slide.At the Canal, excavation removed lateral support from the high At the Canal, excavation removed lateral support from the high banks created in the deepest portions of Culebra Cut.banks created in the deepest portions of Culebra Cut.Unable to sustain the weight above it, the slopes shearedUnable to sustain the weight above it, the slopes shearedIn 1913, the canal was filled with water. Due to continuedIn 1913, the canal was filled with water. Due to continuedlandslides, the canal wasn’t opened until August 1914.landslides, the canal wasn’t opened until August 1914.Dredging operations at Culebra Cut 1913Dredging operations at Culebra Cut 1913A fissure formed in connection with the breaking down of the facA fissure formed in connection with the breaking down of the face of e of Zion Hill, West Culebra slide area, August 8, 1915.Zion Hill, West Culebra slide area, August 8, 1915.West Culebra Slide. View looking south from the edge of the sliWest Culebra Slide. View looking south from the edge of the slide, de, August 8, 1915.August 8, 1915.StaffStaffPanama Canal Panama Canal ––PresentPresentGaillard Cut sectionGaillard Cut