scholarly journals Debris-flow volume quantile prediction from catchment morphometry

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Densmore ◽  
Tjalling de Haas
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Volume Estimation ◽  
Flow Volume ◽  
Catchment Characteristics ◽  
Elevation Data ◽  
Watershed Boundary ◽  
Catchment Morphometry ◽  
Frequency Curves

<p>Estimation of the volumes of potential future debris flows is key for hazard assessment and mitigation. Worldwide, however, there are few catchments for which detailed volume-frequency information is available. We (1) reconstruct volume-frequency curves for 10 debris-flow catchments in Saline Valley, California, USA, from a large number of well-preserved, unmodified surficial flow deposits, and (2) assess the correlations between lobe-volume quantiles and a set of morphometric catchment characteristics. We find statistically-significant correlations between lobe-volume quantiles, including median and maximum, and catchment relief, length (planimetric distance from the fan apex to the most distant point along the watershed boundary), perimeter, and Melton ratio (relief divided by the square root of catchment area). These findings show that it may be possible to roughly estimate debris-flow lobe-volume quantiles from basic catchment characteristics that can be obtained from globally-available elevation data. This may assist with design-volume estimation in debris-flow catchments where past flow volumes are otherwise unknown.</p>

scholarly journals Debris-flow volume quantile prediction from catchment morphometry

Geology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 791-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tjalling de Haas ◽  
Alexander L. Densmore
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Volume Estimation ◽  
Catchment Characteristics ◽  
Reconstructed Volume ◽  
Elevation Data ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Watershed Boundary ◽  
Catchment Morphometry ◽  
Frequency Curves

Abstract Estimation of the volumes of potential future debris flows is a key factor in hazard assessment and mitigation. Worldwide, however, there are few catchments for which detailed volume-frequency information is available. We (1) reconstructed volume-frequency curves for 10 debris-flow catchments in Saline Valley, California (USA), from a large number of well-preserved, unmodified surficial flow deposits, and (2) assessed the correlations between lobe-volume quantiles and a set of morphometric catchment characteristics. We found statistically significant correlations between lobe-volume quantiles, including median and maximum, and catchment relief, length (planimetric distance from the fan apex to the most distant point along the watershed boundary), perimeter, and Melton ratio (relief divided by the square root of catchment area). These findings show that it may be possible to roughly estimate debris-flow lobe-volume quantiles from basic catchment characteristics that can be obtained from globally available elevation data. This may assist in design-volume estimation for debris-flow catchments where past flow volumes are otherwise unknown.

Spatio-temporal patterns of debris-flow erosion and deposition in the Illgraben torrent

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tjalling de Haas ◽  
Wiebe Nijland ◽  
Brian McArdell
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Volume Estimation ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Flow Volume ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Erosion And Deposition ◽  
Deposition Patterns ◽  
Spatio Temporal

<p>Debris flows can grow greatly in size and hazardous potential by eroding bed material, but effective hazard assessment and mitigation is currently hampered by limited understanding of erosion and deposition dynamics. We have collected high-resolution pre- and post-flow topography with drone-based photogrammetry in the Illgraben channel in the Swiss Alps. We present erosion and deposition patterns as a result of six debris flows and intensive subcatchment activity over a 3.3 km long unconsolidated reach with check dams, and interpret these erosion and deposition patterns with in-situ flow measurements. We show that the spatio-temporal patterns of erosion and deposition in natural debris-flow torrents are highly variable and dynamic. We identify a memory effect where erosion is strong at locations of strong deposition during previous flows and vice versa. Large sediment inputs from subcatchments initially result in new channel erosion through the subcatchments deposits and at the same time upstream deposition as a result of backwater effects. It is generally believed that erosion increases with debris-flow magnitude, but we show that there is a limit to debris-flow bulking set by channel geometry. Large flows that overtop their channel deposit large amount of sediment in levees and on overbanks, leading to net deposition despite strong thalweg erosion, and thus a decrease in flow volume. These findings provide key guidelines for flow volume forecasting, emphasizing the importance of memory effects and the need to resolve both erosion and deposition for accurate flow volume estimation.</p>

Research on Motion Characteristics and Formation Mechanism of Debris Flow

2014 ◽  
Vol 711 ◽  
pp. 388-391
Author(s):  
Ji Wei Xu ◽  
Ming Dong Zhang ◽  
Mao Sheng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Formation Mechanism ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Small Catchment ◽  
Rainfall Characteristics ◽  
Motion Characteristics

On July 9 2013, debris flows occurred around Longchi town with large scale and wide harm, which was a great threat to people's life and property as well as reconstruction work. Debris flow ditch in the surrounding town was studied. This paper focused on loose materials, topography and rainfall characteristics, and explored the formation mechanism of debris flow in Longchi town. The result shows that: a small catchment area in valleys also have the risk of large range of accumulation of debris flow, the debris flow is caused by a lot of loose materials in mountains after earthquake and extreme rainfall. Research results contribute to a better understanding of trigger condition of debris flow after earthquake.

Deciphering the seismic and normal-force fluctuation signatures of debris flows: an experimental assessment of the effects of flow composition and dynamics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tjalling de Haas ◽  
Amanda Aaberg ◽  
Fabian Walter ◽  
Zhen Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Large Particle ◽  
Normal Force ◽  
Flow Volume ◽  
Flow Depth ◽  
Water Fraction ◽  
Force Fluctuations ◽  
Seismic Vibrations

<p>Debris flows are gravity-driven mass movements that are common natural hazards in mountain regions worldwide. Previous work has shown that measurements of ground vibrations are capable of detecting the timing, speed, and location of landslides and debris flows. A remaining question is whether or not additional flow properties, such as grain-size distribution, flow depth, and impact stress can be inferred reliably from seismic data. Here, we experimentally explore the relation of seismic vibrations and normal-force fluctuations with debris-flow composition and dynamics. We show that seismic vibrations and normal-force fluctuations induced by debris flows are strongly correlated, and that both are strongly affected by debris-flow composition. We find that the effects of the large-particle distribution on seismic vibrations and normal-force fluctuations are substantially more pronounced than the effects of water fraction, clay fraction, and flow volume, especially when normalized by flow depth. We further show that for flows with similar coarse-particle distributions seismic vibrations and normal-force fluctuations can be reasonably-well related to flow depth, even if total flow volume, water fraction, and the size distribution of fines varies. Our experimental results shed light on how changes in large-particle, clay, and water fractions affect the seismic and force-fluctuation signatures of debris flows, and provide important guidelines for their interpretation.</p>

Anticipating cascading risks at the imminent Hochvogel peak failure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Leinauer ◽  
Manfred Meindl ◽  
Benjamin Jacobs ◽  
Verena Stammberger ◽  
Michael Krautblatter
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Point Clouds ◽  
Volume Estimation ◽  
Rock Fall ◽  
Recent Case ◽  
Hazard Evaluation ◽  
Event Analysis ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Cascading Effects

<p>Climatic changes are exacerbating the risk of alpine mass movements for example through more frequent and extreme heavy precipitation events. To cope with this situation, the monitoring, anticipation, and early warning of rock slope failures based on process dynamics is a key strategy for alpine communities. However, only investigating the release area of an imminent event is insufficient, as the primary hazard can trigger or increase secondary hazards like debris flows or the damming of a river. Nevertheless, recent case studies dealing with successive hazards are rarely existent for the Calcareous Alps. In this study, we precisely investigate the cascading effects resulting from an imminent rock fall and perform a pre-event analysis instead of back-modelling of a past event.</p><p>The Hochvogel summit (2592 m a.s.l., Allgäu Alps, Germany/Austria) is divided by several pronounced clefts that separate multiple instable blocks. 3D-UAV point clouds reveal a potentially instable mass of 260,000 m³ in six main subunits. From our near real time monitoring system (Leinauer et al. 2020), we know that some cracks are opening at faster pace and react differently to heavy rainfall, making a successive failure of subunits likely. However, pre-deformations are not yet pronounced enough to decide on the exact expected volume whereas secondary effects are likely as the preparing rock fall mass will be deposited into highly debris-loaded channels. Therefore, we developed different rock fall scenarios from the gathered monitoring information, which we implemented into a RAMMS modelling of secondary debris flows. To obtain best- and worst-case results, each scenario is calculated with different erosion parameters in the runout channel. The models are calibrated with a well-documented debris flow event at Roßbichelgraben (10 km NW and similar lithology) and are supported by field investigations in the runout channel including electrical resistivity tomography profiles (ERT) for determination of the depth of erodible material as well as a drone survey for mapping the area and the generation of an elevation model.</p><p>Here we show a comprehensive scenario-based assessment for anticipating cascading risks at the Hochvogel from initial rock failure volume estimation to debris flow evolution and potential river damming. This recent case study from an alpine calcareous peak is an excellent and rare chance to gain insights into cascading risks modelling and an improved hazard evaluation.</p>

scholarly journals A New Method to Evaluate the Combined Performance of Check Dams and Afforestation on Debris Flows Mitigation in a Dry-hot Valley

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqun Lyu ◽  
Mengzhen Xu ◽  
Guanyu Zhou ◽  
Zhaoyin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Yunnan Province ◽  
New Method ◽  
Energy Conditions ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Flow Volume ◽  
Jiangjia Gully ◽  
Check Dams

Abstract Debris flows in waterways can transport large amounts of sediment downstream, which can cause serious damage and economic losses. The vegetation cover in the valley of the Xiaojiang River in Yunnan Province, China—classified as a dry-hot valley—was significantly reduced by logging in the 1950s. Soil erosion intensified and 107 gullies developed, which led to debris flows along the 86 km length of the river. Jiangjia Gully is a tributary of the Xiaojiang River. Historically, debris flows have occurred frequently, blocking the Xiaojiang River seven times between 1957 and 2000. Since 2000, the construction of check dams and afforestation have decreased the volume of debris flows in the three tributaries of Jiangjia Gully. However, different combinations of check dams and afforestation were adopted in the three tributaries of Jiangjia Gully, which has led to the different trends in debris flows behaviour. A new method was established to evaluate the mitigative effect of check dams and afforestation on debris flows. We found that the debris flow volume was proportional to the gravity energy of soil and rock on the gully bank and inversely proportional to the vegetation coverage in a dry-hot valley setting. The method revealed that under different gravity energy conditions, the implementation order of check dam construction and afforestation is important for debris flow mitigation.

Comparison of Methods and Procedures for Debris-Flow Volume Estimation

2014 ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Arattano ◽  
G. Bertoldi ◽  
M. Cavalli ◽  
F. Comiti ◽  
V. D’Agostino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Volume Estimation ◽  
Comparison Of Methods ◽  
Flow Volume

Similarities and contrasts between the subaerial and subaqueous deposits of subaerially triggered debris flows: An analogue experimental study

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 1128-1138
Author(s):  
Tjalling de Haas ◽  
Nikoleta Santa ◽  
Sjoukje I. de Lange ◽  
Shiva P. Pudasaini
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Water Body ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Flow Volume ◽  
Reservoir Water ◽  
Inundation Area ◽  
Water And Sediment ◽  
Empirical Relations ◽  
Impulse Waves

ABSTRACT Debris flows and lahars are dense masses of water and sediment which are common phenomena in mountainous and volcanic regions, respectively. Where these flows debouch into water bodies they can trigger impulse waves (tsunamis) and form subaqueous deposits. Such deposits are important indicators for areas at risk from debris flows, lahars, and tsunamis and form archives of past environmental conditions. Correctly interpreting this archive, however, depends on our understanding of the sedimentology and architecture of the deposits. While subaerial debris-flow deposits have been extensively studied, there is a comparative lack of understanding of the deposits of subaerial debris flows that debouch into a water body. We experimentally investigate the similarities and contrasts between subaerial and subaqueous debris-flow deposits for flows of various magnitudes and compositions initiated in a subaerial environment. We show that flows depositing on a subaqueous plane generally have a deposit area similar to flows forming in a subaerial setting. Deposits forming on a subaqueous plane, however, are typically shorter and wider with similar thickness, as a result of interactions between the flow and the reservoir water body. Both in subaerial and subaqueous environments the deposits form coarse-grained lateral levees and frontal snout margins. However, where the levees are able to laterally confine the subaerial flows leading to deposits with constant to tapering width, the subaqueous deposits widen with distance offshore because of flow fluidization. Moreover, the frontal snout is often very dispersed, a sharp frontal margin is absent, and many isolated particles are deposited in front of the main deposit margin as a result of interactions between the debris flow and the reservoir water body. These results largely agree with observations of subaqueous pyroclastic-flow deposits. The similarity in area of subaerial and subaqueous deposits suggests that we can apply empirical relations based on subaerial flows to estimate the inundation area and flow volume of subaerial–subaqueous flows.

scholarly journals A probabilistic approach to post-wildfire debris-flow volume modeling

Landslides ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1345-1360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian P. Donovan ◽  
Paul M. Santi
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Probabilistic Approach ◽  
Flow Volume ◽  
Volume Modeling
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