Observations of avalanche–substrate interactions in the Iymek rock avalanche deposit: A possible causative mechanism

Abstract

Ubiquitous and complex avalanche–substrate interactions during rock avalanche emplacement have attracted widespread attention in recent years and are regarded as vital processes influencing mobility and damage potential through rapid changes in avalanche mechanical properties. However, the fundamental interaction mechanisms of avalanche mass on substrate and the resultant effect on mobility have yet to be elucidated for natural events. To better understand the mechanics of avalanche–substrate interactions, we present a detailed study on the spectacular synsedimentary deformation structures at the bottom of the gigantic Iymek rock avalanche deposit, including undulose structures, flame structures, mixed textures, clastic dikes, and cracked gravels. The cracked gravels demonstrate that the overriding avalanche mass exited high-energy shearing on the avalanche–substrate interface, where the stress in substrate far exceeded the overburden from the avalanche mass during the avalanche–substrate interaction. Along with high-energy shearing, two different interaction modes with the change of substrate materials are identified, i.e., the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI) characterized by undulose-to-flame structure transitions, and the Raleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) characterized by the formation of clastic dikes. The KHI is interpreted as a result of the growth of shear instabilities induced by high-energy shearing along the avalanche–substrate interface. The RTI is associated with local liquefaction of the water-bearing sandy substrate and was mainly induced by the high-frequency ground vibrations generated by high-energy shearing. Therefore, we propose that the overriding avalanche mass exited high-energy shearing on the substrate during the avalanche–substrate interaction, which motivated two predominant physical processes of the KHI and RTI along the avalanche–substrate interface. The shear-induced KHI is a potential mechanism of erosion and entrainment in rock avalanches and is responsible for promoting the incorporation of substrate materials into moving avalanche mass. These results not only yield profound insights into the interaction behaviours between rock avalanches and substrates but also provide a fundamental geological prototype to motivate further modelling work to elucidate rock avalanche dynamics.