Debris Flows and Landslides

Abstract

A landslide is a mass movement occurring on steep slopes under the action of gravity. Debris flow is a distinct type of mass movement commonly triggered by intense rainfall and/or melting snow on steep hill slopes. It differs from landslide in its “flowing” feature. Flow means relative movement in numerous layers of the medium, whereas a slide occurs only along one or several interfaces or beds. The main causes of landslides and avalanches are earthquakes and rainstorms. Disaster chains are initiated by landslides and avalanches. Great landslides resulted in barrier lakes. The stability of a landslide dam depends on the development degree of the step-pool system in the spillway channel on the landslide dam and the highest stream power of flow. Preserved landslide dams may develop into a knickpoint and become a key factor for river pattern establishment and river stability.