Assessing the impact of mass movements on alpine trails and huts using EO data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Albrecht ◽  
Daniel Hölbling ◽  
Lorena Abad ◽  
Zahra Dabiri ◽  
Gerald Reischenböck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Mass Movements ◽  
Infrastructure Management ◽  
Austrian Alps ◽  
The Impact

<p>The alpine infrastructure of trails and huts is an essential asset for summer tourism in the Austrian Alps. Every year, around five million people use the trail network for hiking and other mountaineering activities. Mass movements such as shallow landslides, debris flows and rockfalls cause significant damages to the alpine infrastructure and may block access to certain mountain areas for weeks or even months. Such damages require repair and increased maintenance activity or even rerouting of trails. Climate change will exacerbate the problem as more frequent and severe mass movements can be expected. Therefore, the Alpine associations have to take natural hazards into account for their trail and hut management.</p><p>A promising opportunity for assessing the impact of natural hazards on alpine infrastructure arises through the new generation of Earth observation (EO) satellites of the European Copernicus programme. The high spatial and temporal resolution allows the detection of mass movements with an impact on trails and huts.</p><p>Therefore, we initiated the project <em>MontEO</em> (<em>The impact of mass movements on alpine trails and huts assessed by EO data</em>) to investigate the opportunities for EO-based mass movement mapping and hazard impact assessment for alpine infrastructure. We start with a user requirements analysis that describes the demand for consistent and appropriate information on mass movements for alpine infrastructure management. We perform interviews with the Alpine associations and other relevant stakeholders. They help us to identify significant mass movements, their impact on the alpine infrastructure, and the actions that trail keepers and hut facility managers take to deal with the impacts. Based on this, we assess the suitability of EO-derived mass movement information for alpine infrastructure management, and define requirements for its production and delivery.</p><p>Based on the user requirements, we develop a multi-scale approach and combine optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite data (e.g. Sentinel-1/2, Pléiades) to comprehensively map mass movements and to detect mass movement hotspots. Further, we integrate the EO-based mapping results with ancillary data for landslide susceptibility mapping, and for modelling and simulating rockfalls and debris flows. Finally, we analyse the network of trails and huts in relation to the obtained mass movement information and thereby assess their impact on alpine infrastructure, i.e. identify the trails and huts that are (potentially) affected by mass movements.</p><p>We demonstrate the concept and methods for three study areas in the Austrian Alps: Großarl and Kleinarl Valley in Salzburg, Karwendel in Tyrol, and the Salzkammergut in central  Austria. For these areas, we will create EO-based mass movement inventory maps, hotspot maps, and hazard impact maps. We validate our results in close collaboration with the users and analyse their usefulness for alpine infrastructure maintenance and management. The outcomes of <em>MontEO</em> will contribute to improved maintenance efficiency and will lead to a safer alpine infrastructure with an increased value for hikers, the tourism industry and the society.</p>

Qualitative analysis of the impact of mass movements on the alpine hiking infrastructure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Albrecht ◽  
Daniel Hölbling ◽  
Lorena Abad ◽  
Zahra Dabiri ◽  
Gabriela Scheierl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flows ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Mass Movements ◽  
Infrastructure Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Alpine Regions ◽  
Radar Satellite ◽  
The Impact

<p>The hiking infrastructure of trails and huts is a strong asset for summer tourism in the Austrian Alps. However, this infrastructure is prone to different types of mass movements, such as rainfall-induced shallow landslides, debris flows and rockfalls, that potentially block the access to mountain huts and hiking routes for weeks or even months. Thus, alpine infrastructure management has an increased need for information about mass movements that affect trails.</p><p>The project <em>MontEO</em> ("The impact of mass movements on alpine trails and huts assessed by Earth observation (EO) data") aims for a better understanding of the diverse impacts of mass movements on the alpine infrastructure and the related efforts for infrastructure management and maintenance, by mass movement mapping and susceptibility modelling. We performed a user requirements analysis that identified relevant stakeholders and pinpointed both user needs and requirements for information about mass movement impact on alpine infrastructure. Semi-structured interviews with trail keepers and other stakeholders revealed information about the relevance of the topic for the respective organisation, the role of the interviewed person within the organisation and the experiences and tasks that relate to mass movements.</p><p>Our preliminary results identified sections of alpine associations, tourism associations, and alpine farmers as the main stakeholders that assume responsibility for operating the trails. The interviews with trail keepers, alpine association officials and professional trail builders indicated that they consider information on mass movement particularly valuable for mid- to long-term planning of maintenance efforts and revisions, as well as for the construction of new and the re-location of existing trails. Damage due to mass movements is mainly relevant in high alpine regions and in locations where terrain and environmental conditions favour them. An example of how mass movements can affect infrastructure is a rockfall damaging safety ropes and feeding a scree that becomes a source for debris flows covering the existing path. Resulting maintenance efforts include the restoration of a debris-covered trail and the re-installation of safety ropes along the trail by a skilled builder with heavy equipment. If situated in a heavily affected region, the frequency of damage from mass movements may render the trail too costly to maintain. Either it needs to be relocated to a new route in less landslide-prone terrain or it has to be given up entirely.</p><p>Currently, we are in the process of mapping mass movements with optical and radar satellite data in four Austrian study areas. Combining the mass movement mapping and susceptibility modelling results with estimated efforts for trail maintenance will enable the detailed assessment of the mass movement impact for an entire area of responsibility of the section of an alpine association. If the validation with stakeholders proves that the impact assessment can be used in strategic trail management or the planning of maintenance activities, the <em>MontEO</em> project will result in a safer alpine infrastructure and an increased value for the tourism industry.</p>

Tree rings and debris flows: Recent developments, future directions

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Bollschweiler ◽  
Markus Stoffel
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Spatial Positioning ◽  
The Impact

The sudden and unpredictable occurrence of debris flows poses major problems in many mountain areas in the world. For a realistic hazard assessment, knowledge of past events is of crucial importance. As archival data is generally fragmentary, additional information sources are needed for an appraisal of past and contemporary events as well as for the prediction of potential future events. Tree rings represent a very valuable natural archive on past debris-flow occurrence as they may record the impact of events in their tree-ring series. In the past few years, dendrogeomorphology has evolved from a pure dating tool to a broad range of applications. Besides the reconstruction of frequencies, tree rings allow — if coupled with spatial positioning methods — the determination of spread and reach of past events. Similarly, the wide field of applications includes the identification of magnitudes and triggers of debris-flow events. Besides demonstrating recent developments in the use of tree rings for debris-flow research, this contribution also provides a short overview on the application of tree rings for other mass-movement processes and highlights further possibilities of the method. Established techniques can be applied to related processes such as debris floods, flash floods or lahars. Data obtained can also be used to calibrate modeling approaches. The impact of past and future climatic changes on debris-flow occurrence is furthermore an important aspect where tree rings can be of help.

scholarly journals NDEI-BASED MAPPING OF LAND SURFACE CHANGES

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-3/W8 ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
V. A. Morales ◽  
J. R. Galvis ◽  
E. G. García ◽  
I. L. Salcedo
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Temporal Resolution ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Temporal Analysis ◽  
Mass Movements ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Surface Changes ◽  
Imagery Data

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Topography measurements of land surface elevation changes are essential for geomorphological studies and research on natural hazards. However, conventional topography and remote sensing methods pose several challenges. Fieldwork in remote areas could be insecure or be hard to conduct due to physical barriers. Remote sensing satellite images, in turn, may lack the temporal resolution for monitoring topography changes or be covered by clouds and shadows that reduce their usefulness. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) provide high-resolution imagery from remote areas and may give a greater insight into land surface changes. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of the Normalized Difference Elevation Index (NDEI), derived from UAV surveys, to map changes in topography in different environments, including a quarry zone of sand mines in Colombia, and in the North Pole Ice Cap. As the NDEI is a metric capable to reveal topography disturbances, it could be exploited for rapid assessments of mass movements occurrence. For this research, a fine temporal resolution dataset of monthly NDEI values were used to explore their utility as a mass wasting identification technique. NDEI was used to map changes in the land surface in a quarry zone affected by landslides and mudflows. NDEI values were obtained from the multi-temporal analysis of digital surface models generated from UAV images and processed using Structure from motion (SfM) techniques. Main components of the proposed method are: (i)UAVbased imagery data capture, (ii)data processing using SfM techniques, (iii)NDEI calculation, and (iv)mass movement identification. Results illustrate the feasibility of using UAV-based imagery data to increase the accuracy of land changes information and produce rapid assessments of mass movements occurrence. Results show that the NDEI approach may increase the accuracy of land surface changes assessment and mapping, as well as enable the design of new methodologies to identify natural hazards and risks.</p>

scholarly journals A Support Analysis Framework for mass movement damage assessment: applications to case studies in Calabria (Italy)

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Petrucci ◽  
G. Gullà
Keyword(s):  
Mass Movement ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Mass Movements ◽  
Analysis Framework ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Damage Indices ◽  
A Value ◽  
The Cost ◽  
L2 Medium ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The analysis of data describing damage caused by mass movements in Calabria (Italy) allowed the organisation of the Support Analysis Framework (SAF), a spreadsheet that converts damage descriptions into numerical indices expressing direct, indirect, and intangible damage. The SAF assesses damage indices of past mass movements and the potential outcomes of dormant phenomena re-activations. It is based on the effects on damaged elements and is independent of both physical and geometric phenomenon characteristics. SAF sections that assess direct damage encompass several lines, each describing an element characterised by a value fixed on a relative arbitrary scale. The levels of loss are classified as: L4: complete; L3: high; L2: medium; or L1: low. For a generic line l, the SAF multiplies the value of a damaged element by its level of loss, obtaining dl, the contribution of the line to the damage. Indirect damage is appraised by two sections accounting for: (a) actions aiming to overcome emergency situations and (b) actions aiming to restore pre-movement conditions. The level of loss depends on the number of people involved (a) or the cost of actions (b). For intangible damage, the level of loss depends on the number of people involved. We examined three phenomena, assessing damage using the SAF and SAFL, customised versions of SAF based on the elements actually present in the analysed municipalities that consider the values of elements in the community framework. We show that in less populated, inland, and affluent municipalities, the impact of mass movements is greater than in coastal areas. The SAF can be useful to sort groups of phenomena according to their probable future damage, supplying results significant either for insurance companies or for local authorities involved in both disaster management and planning of defensive measures.

scholarly journals QUESTIONS OF COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF ACTUAL NATURAL HAZARDS OF TERRITORY OF KABARDINO — BALKARIAN REPUBLIC (FOR EXAMPLE, POOLS R. CHEGEM)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Е.В. Кюль
Keyword(s):  
Natural Hazards ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Comprehensive Assessment ◽  
Snow Avalanches ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
The Impact

В статье дается всесторонняя оценка воздействия опасных природных процессов на линейные хозяйственные объекты в бассейне реки Чегем в Кабардино-Балкарии. Степень влияния опасных процессов (снежных лавин, селей, оползней и обвалов) считается в пределах выделенных геоморфологических районов (хребты и депрессии). Для каждой из областей (3) показывается распределение по площади, в том числе в области линейных хозяйственных объектов, в пределах которых образуются сели, оползни, лавины The article gives a comprehensive assessment of the impact of dangerous natural processes in linear economic projects in a river basin Chegem in Kabardino-Balkaria. The degree of influence of the main processes snow avalanches, debris flows, landslides, collapses and landslides — is considered within the allocated geomorphological areas (ridges and depressions). For each of the areas (3) shows the distribution over the area, including in the area of linear objects of topography, within which the formation of mudflows, landslides, avalanches

scholarly journals Geomorphological mapping and geophysical profiling for the evaluation of natural hazards in an alpine catchment

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Seijmonsbergen ◽  
L. W. S. de Graaff
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Sediment Traps ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Failure Plane ◽  
Gypsum Karst ◽  
Geomorphological Mapping ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Liechtenstein has faced an increasing number of natural hazards over recent decades: debris flows, slides, snow avalanches and floods repeatedly endanger the local infrastructure. Geomorphological field mapping and geo-electrical profiling was used to assess hazards near Malbun, a village potentially endangered by landslides, and especially debris flows. The area is located on the tectonic contacts of four different nappe slices. The bedrock consists of anhydrite and gypsum, dolomite, shale, marl, and limestone. The spatial distribution and occurrence of debris flows and slides is evaluated through a combination of geomorphological expert knowledge, and detailed visualization in a geographical information system. In a geo-database a symbol-based 1:3000 scale geomorphological map has been digitized and rectified into polygons. The polygons include information on the main geomorphological environment, the Quaternary material distribution and of geomorphological processes, which are stored in attribute tables. The spatial distribution of these attributes is then combined with geophysical information and displacement rates interpolated from benchmark measurements. On one of the landslides two geo-electrical profiles show that the distance to a potential failure plane varies between 10-20 m and that the topography of the failure plane is influenced by subterranean gypsum karst features. The displacement measurements show that this landslide actively disintegrates into minor slides and is not, therefore, a risk to the village of Malbun. The hazard zonation indicates that debris flows can pose a risk if no countermeasures are taken. Gypsum karst may locally accelerate the landslide activity. In contrast, the impact of debris flows is diminished because collapse dolines may act as sediment traps for the debris flow materials. This research illustrates how geomorphological expert knowledge can be integrated in a GIS for the evaluation of natural hazards on a detailed scale.

Information on gravitational mass movements obtained from the spectrograms of their seismic signals generated

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Surinach ◽  
E. Leticia Flores-Márquez
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flows ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Seismic Signal ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Gravitational Mass ◽  
Mass Movements ◽  
Seismic Signals ◽  
Signal Onset ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Processing Techniques

&lt;p&gt;An understanding of the characteristics of a mass movement descending a slope enables us to obtain a better control through models and also to reduce its associated risks. The seismic signals generated by the mass movement are mainly caused by friction of the moving mass on the ground. Most of the studies of the seismic signals use the spectrograms as a complementary information of the signals. Our study seeks to expand the current applications of the spectrograms using the information contained in them. A spectrogram represents the evolution in time of the frequency content of a time series. It can also be read as a 3D representation of amplitude, frequency and time of the seismic signal. The spectrograms of the seismic signals generated by a mass movement that descend a slope and approach a seismic sensor can be divided into sections: SON (Signal ONset), SOV (Signal Over) and SEN (Signal End), depending on whether the gravitational mass movement is approaching the sensor, is on it or is moving away from it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The method presented here consist of analyzing the spectrogram as an image, applying image processing techniques as &amp;#8220;Hough Transform&amp;#8221;. This method allows us to obtain quantitative information from the spectrograms. Our aim is to obtain the parameters of the shape of the spectrograms, focused on SON section, to create indicators linked to the evolution of the mass movement, for example the speed. The method is applied to spectrograms of three types of gravitational mass movements: snow avalanches (7), lahars (4), and debris flows (1). The results indicate similarities in the shape of the spectrograms of the different types of mass movement, prevailing, however, the specific characteristics of each type.&lt;/p&gt;

Submarine landslides: advances and challenges

2002 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Locat ◽  
Homa J Lee
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Turbidity Currents ◽  
Mass Movements ◽  
Submarine Landslides ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Submarine Slides ◽  
Volcanic Islands ◽  
Movement Mechanics

Due to the recent development of well-integrated surveying techniques of the sea floor, significant improvements were achieved in mapping and describing the morphology and architecture of submarine mass movements. Except for the occurrence of turbidity currents, the aquatic environment (marine and fresh water) experiences the same type of mass failure as that found on land. Submarine mass movements, however, can have run-out distances in excess of 100 km, so their impact on any offshore activity needs to be integrated over a wide area. This great mobility of submarine mass movements is still not very well understood, particularly for cases like the far-reaching debris flows mapped on the Mississippi Fan and the large submarine rock avalanches found around many volcanic islands. A major challenge ahead is the integration of mass movement mechanics in an appropriate evaluation of the hazard so that proper risk assessment methodologies can be developed and implemented for various human activities offshore, including the development of natural resources and the establishment of reliable communication corridors.Key words: submarine slides, hazards, risk assessment, morphology, mobility, tsunami.

scholarly journals Landslides and debris flows of 19-21 July 1993 in the Agra Khola watershed of Central Nepal

2000 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. B. Thapa ◽  
M. R. Dhital
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flows ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Mass Movements ◽  
Cultivated Land ◽  
Residual Soils ◽  
Huge Amount ◽  
The North ◽  
Central Nepal ◽  
Landslides And Debris Flows ◽  
Granite Soil

High intensity rainfall of 19-21 July 1993 triggered off a large number of mass movements in the Agra Khola watershed of Central Nepal. It caused a heavy loss of human lives and property. Landslides were distributed mainly in the upper part of the watershed, especially in the vicinity of Chisapani, Chaubas, Dandabas, and Chhap. Main types of mass movement were rockslides, soils slides, and complex failures. About 51% of them were soil slides and 18% were rockslides. Among the rockslides, 4% were deep-seated rotational slides. Large deep-seated rockslides were common on the north-facing dip slopes, whereas shallow slides were observed on the counter dip slopes and in the area occupied by granite. Soil slides occurred on slopes covered by 1-6 m deep colluvium and/or residual soils. The highest percentage of landslides was found in the Kulikhani Formation and on slopes of 25°-45°. The material from landslides contributed to a huge amount of debris, which was deposited on cultivated land. The debris formed up to 5 m high terraces along the rivers. The upper reaches of the Agra Khola and Chalti Khola are the main hazardous areas.

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