How did landslides affect construction of Gaillard Cut?

The construction of the Gaillard Cut was significantly hindered by the unstable nature of the surrounding soil and rock, which made it one of the most challenging sections of the Panama Canal project.12

Landslides affected the construction in several ways:

• Excavation Obstruction: Unpredictable earth and mudslides frequently poured millions of cubic yards of debris into the canal excavation, forcing workers to repeatedly remove massive amounts of material.12
• Floor Instability: The immense weight of the hillsides caused the floor of the excavation to rise precipitously at times, undoing progress made by workers.12
• Safety Hazards: The unstable terrain and the constant threat of slides, combined with the use of dynamite, resulted in the loss of numerous lives during the construction phase.2
• Persistent Challenges: Specific events, such as the well-known Cucaracha slide of 1907, continued to pour material into the cut for years, necessitating ongoing efforts to clear the channel.12

To mitigate these threats, engineers eventually cut back the hillsides and decreased their angles to improve stability.1