Debris Flow Propagation Research Articles

Long‐Runout‐Landslide‐Induced Debris Flow: The Role of Fine Sediment Deposition Processes in Debris Flow Propagation

AbstractLandslide‐induced debris flows can travel long distances. Many field studies, laboratory experiments, and theoretical studies have been conducted to clarify the mechanisms of long‐runout landslides. However, information concerning landslide‐induced debris flows is still inadequate despite several explanations proposed. Thus, we collected various forms of data, including video images and light detection and ranging data, for a landslide‐induced debris flow that occurred on 28 July 2015, in Fukaminato River, Japan, and clarified the debris flow behavior from initiation to deposition. We showed that the water content of the debris flow should only be approximately 30% immediately after landslides occurred at the site. However, a fluid phase‐dominated flow flowed over 1.2 km, expanding the damaged area. We inferred that the fine sediments behaved as part of the interstitial fluid in the debris flow and that, during debris flow deposition, some fine sediments were stored in the interstitial space of the riverbed and did not contribute to forming the skeleton of deposits. We conducted a numerical simulation to test the processes of fluid phase‐dominated flow propagation, focusing on the flow and deposition of fine sediments. Our simulation results suggest that fine sediments' flow and depositional processes significantly influence both the initiation of fluid phase‐dominated debris flow and the travel distance of landslide‐induced debris flow.

An Integrated Hydrodynamic Model for Run-Off Generated Debris Flows with Novel Formulation of Bed Erosion and Deposition

An Integrated Hydrodynamic Model for Run-Off Generated Debris Flows with Novel Formulation of Bed Erosion and Deposition

Multi‐Model Comparison of Computed Debris Flow Runout for the 9 January 2018 Montecito, California Post‐Wildfire Event

AbstractHazard assessment for post‐wildfire debris flows, which are common in the steep terrain of the western United States, has focused on the susceptibility of upstream basins to generate debris flows. However, reducing public exposure to this hazard also requires an assessment of hazards in downstream areas that might be inundated during debris flow runout. Debris flow runout models are widely available, but their application to hazard assessment for post‐wildfire debris flows has not been extensively tested. Necessary inputs to these models include the total volume of the mobilized flow, flow properties (either inherent material properties or calibration coefficients), and site topography. Estimates of volume are possible in post‐event (“back calculation”) studies, yet before an event, volume is an uncertain quantity. We simulated debris flow runout for the well‐constrained 9 January 2018 Montecito event using three models (RAMMS, FLO2D, and D‐Claw) to determine the relative importance of volume and flow properties. We broke the impacted area into three domains, and for each model‐domain combination, we performed a numerical sampling study in which volume and flow properties varied within a wide, but plausible range. We assessed model performance based on inundation patterns and peak flow depths. We found all models could simulate the event with comparable results. Simulation performance was most sensitive to flow volume and less sensitive to flow properties. Our results emphasize the importance of reducing uncertainty in pre‐event estimates of flow volume for hazard assessment.

Simulating the effect of check dam collapse in a debris-flow channel

Sequences of erosion control/consolidation check dams are the most widespread channel countermeasure in the European Alps. Some of them were built in the past based on ancient technologies. Nowadays they may not be fully adequate to mitigate the debris-flow/flood events that are becoming more frequent and intense. Consequently, there is the remote possibility that they could fail with disastrous consequences as observed in some cases. A reliable methodology to reproduce the effect of check dam collapse has not yet proposed. Therefore the aim of this study is to define a procedure to simulate the effect of check dam collapse in a debris-flow event.In this study we analysed the catastrophic debris flow occurred in the Rotian channel (Italian Alps) during which a series of check dams collapsed magnifying the event and causing severe damages.With the aid of field data we reconstructed the event and used the simulation tool r.avaflow to reproduce the debris flow. We then defined three scenarios to simulate the event: (A) debris-flow propagation over an erodible channel; (B) propagation on a rigid channel bed combined with the release of impulsive masses to isolate the analysis of the effect of check dam collapse; (C) a combination of the previous scenarios. The simulation performance was assessed analysing the pre- and post-event LiDAR surveys.Results showed that the C scenario accurately reproduced the observed debris-flow erosion pattern. In particular, we found out that most of the entrained debris volume derived from bed erosion rather than the sediment retained by check dams. The adopted method, which composes the contribution of bed erosion and check dam collapse, could be of particular relevance for residual risk estimation when mitigation structures are old and may fail with potential disastrous consequences.

Debris flow event on Osorno volcano, Chile, during summer 2017: new interpretations for chain processes in the southern Andes

Abstract. Debris flow generation in volcanic zones in the southern Andes has not been widely studied, despite the enormous economic and infrastructure damage that these events can generate. The present work contributes to the understanding of these dynamics based on a study of the 2017 Petrohué debris flow event from two complementary points of view. First, a comprehensive field survey allowed us to determine that a rockfall initiated the debris flow due to an intense rainfall event. The rockfall lithology corresponds to lava blocks and autobrecciated lavas, predominantly over 1500 m a.s.l. Second, the process was numerically modelled and constrained by in situ data collection and geomorphological mapping. The event was studied by back analysis using the height of flow measured on Route CH-255 with errors of 5 %. Debris flow volume has a high sensitivity with the initial water content in the block fall zone, ranging from 4.7×105 up to 5.5×105 m3, depending on the digital elevation model (DEM) used. Therefore, debris flow showed that the zone is controlled by the initial water content available previous to the block fall. Moreover, our field data suggest that future debris flows events can take place, removing material from the volcanic edifice. We conclude that similar events could occur in the future and that it is necessary to increase the mapping of zones with autobrecciated lava close to the volcano summit. The study contributes to the understanding of debris flows in the southern Andes since the Osorno volcano shares similar features with other stratovolcanoes in the region.

Numerical study on hydrodynamic load and vibration of pipeline exerted by submarine debris flow

Submarine debris flow, as one of the natural phenomena of marine disasters, often occurs in different sea areas, which has a strong impact on marine structure due to its large specific gravity and high velocity. Submarine pipeline is an important submarine structure which is extremely vulnerable to the marine environment, especially under the submarine debris flow. Many studies have been conducted on the interaction between the debris flow and the pipeline. Based on previous studies, the effects of the debris flows under the water-air interface on the pipeline with degree of freedom are investigated in this study where the debris flow volume, density, slide slope angle, the spring stiffness coefficient, pipeline location and tandem pipeline are considered. According to the computational fluid dynamics theory, a numerical tank is established using the Immersed Boundary (IB) method, in which the three-phase media (air, water and debris flow) are embedded. The results demonstrate that when the debris flow occurs, the water-air free surface is affected by the debris flow propagation, generating a surface wave. When the debris flow passes through the pipeline, with the increase of debris flow density and volume, the force on the pipeline increases, but the vibration frequency of pipeline decreases. Meanwhile, the vibrating pipeline will cause strong turbulence to the debris flow. In addition, the force and the vibration frequency of the pipeline are closely related to the flow pattern of debris flow reaching the pipeline. When the debris flow passes through the tandem pipeline, the closer the distance between the two pipelines is, the more significant the mutual influence between two pipelines is, because the negative pressure area formed behind the upstream pipeline can affect the downstream pipeline to a certain extent.

Numerical Investigation of Surge Waves Generated by Submarine Debris Flows

Submarine debris flows and their generated waves are common disasters in Nature that may destroy offshore infrastructure and cause fatalities. As the propagation of submarine debris flows is complex, involving granular material sliding and wave generation, it is difficult to simulate the process using conventional numerical models. In this study, a numerical model based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) algorithm is proposed to simulate the propagation of submarine debris flow and predict its generated waves. This model contains the Bingham fluid model for granular material, the Newtonian fluid model for the ambient water, and a multiphase granular flow algorithm. Moreover, a boundary treatment technique is applied to consider the repulsive force from the solid boundary. Underwater rigid block slide and underwater sand flow were simulated as numerical examples to verify the proposed SPH model. The computed wave profiles were compared with the observed results recorded in references. The good agreement between the numerical results and experimental data indicates the stability and accuracy of the proposed SPH model.

A Numerical Study on Impacts of Sediment Erosion/Deposition on Debris Flow Propagation

Debris flows tend to erode sediment from or deposit sediment on the bed, which changes their volume and, thus, in turn, affects their rheological properties. However, previous modeling studies on debris flows mostly ignore sediment erosion/deposition. Here, three models are presented: a debris model without bed deformation, which is similar to traditional models in that it does not consider sediment erosion/deposition but uses the Herschel–Bulkley formulation to describe the non-Newtonian nature; a debris model with bed deformation, which is better improved than the traditional model in that it considers sediment erosion/deposition; and a turbidity current model, which is further simplified from the debris model with bed deformation by ignoring the non-Newtonian nature. These models, formulated in the same modeling framework, are solved by a shock-capturing finite volume method. These models were firstly validated against three laboratory experiments, which indicated that the debris models with and without bed deformation with reasonably well-specified parameters can give satisfactory agreements with the measurements, whereas the turbidity current model overestimated the experimental result due to its lack of yield stress and dynamic viscosity. Moreover, a hypothetical field application was used to explain the difference between a turbidity current and debris flows with and without bed deformation. It was shown that debris flows and turbidity currents are capable of impacting the bed significantly. However, turbidity currents have thinner tails, less shear stress, and form horizontal deposits on the bed, while debris flows have a thicker tail, high shear stress, and form vertical deposits on the bed. Finally, sensitivity analyses were carried out to study the impact of sediment size, bed slope, concentration, and porosity on the deformation of the bed after debris flow where they all showed a positive correlation.

Postwildfire Soil‐Hydraulic Recovery and the Persistence of Debris Flow Hazards

AbstractDeadly and destructive debris flows often follow wildfire, but understanding of changes in the hazard potential with time since fire is poor. We develop a simulation‐based framework to quantify changes in the hydrologic triggering conditions for debris flows as postwildfire infiltration properties evolve through time. Our approach produces time‐varying rainfall intensity‐duration thresholds for runoff‐ and infiltration‐generated debris flows with physics‐based hydrologic simulations that are parameterized with widely available hydroclimatic, vegetation reflectance, and soil texture data. When we apply our thresholding protocol to a test case in the San Gabriel Mountains (California, USA), the results are consistent with existing regional empirical thresholds and rainstorms that caused runoff‐ and infiltration‐generated debris flows soon after and three years following a wildfire, respectively. We find that the hydrologic triggering mechanisms for the two observed debris flow types are coupled with the effects of fire on the soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. Specifically, the rainfall intensity needed to generate debris flows via runoff increases with time following wildfire while the rainfall duration needed to produce debris flows via subsurface pore‐water pressures decreases. We also find that variations in soil moisture, rainfall climatology, median grain size, and root reinforcement could impact the median annual probability of postwildfire debris flows. We conclude that a simulation‐based method for calculating rainfall thresholds is a tractable approach to improve situational awareness of debris flow hazard in the years following wildfire. Further development of our framework will be important to quantify postwildfire hazard levels in variable climates, vegetation types, and fire regimes.

Numerical Investigation on the Kinetic Characteristics of the Yigong Debris Flow in Tibet, China

To analyze the kinetic characteristics of a debris flow that occurred on 9 April 2000 in Tibet, China, a meshfree numerical method named smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is introduced, and two-dimensional and three-dimensional models are established in this work. Based on the numerical simulation, the motion process of this debris flow is reproduced, and the kinetic characteristics are analyzed combining with the field investigation data. In the kinetic analysis, the flow velocity, runout distance, deposition, and energy features are discussed. Simulation results show that the debris flow mass undergoes an acceleration stage after failure, then the kinetic energy gradually dissipates due to the friction and collision during debris flow propagation. Finally, the debris flow mass blocks the Yigong river and forms a huge dam and an extensive barrier lake. The peak velocity is calculated to be about 100 m/s, and the runout distance is approximately 8000 m. The simulation results basically match the data measured in field, thus verifying the good performance of the presented SPH model. This approach can predict hazardous areas and estimate the hazard intensity of catastrophic debris flow.

Debris-Flow and Debris-Flood Susceptibility Mapping for Geohazard Risk Prioritization

ABSTRACT Regional-scale assessments for debris-flow and debris-flood propagation and avulsion on fans can be challenging. Geomorphological mapping based on aerial or satellite imagery requires substantial field verification effort. Surface evidence of past events may be obfuscated by development or obscured by repeat erosion or debris inundation, and trenching may be required to record the sedimentary architecture and date past events. This paper evaluates a methodology for debris-flow and debris-flood susceptibility mapping at regional scale based on a combination of digital elevation model (DEM) metrics to identify potential debris source zones and flow propagation modeling using the Flow-R code that is calibrated through comparison to mapped alluvial fans. The DEM metrics enable semi-automated identification and preliminary, process-based classification of streams prone to debris flow and debris flood. Flow-R is a susceptibility mapping tool that models potential flow inundation based on a combination of spreading and runout algorithms considering DEM topography and empirical propagation parameters. The methodology is first evaluated at locations where debris-flow and debris-flood hazards have been previously assessed based on field mapping and detailed numerical modeling. It is then applied over a 125,000 km2 area in southern British Columbia, Canada. The motivation for the application of this methodology is that it represents an objective and repeatable approach to susceptibility mapping, which can be integrated in a debris-flow and debris-flood risk prioritization framework at regional scale to support risk management decisions.

Deposition pattern of stony and muddy debris flow at the confluence area

Debris flow fan affects the river profile and landscape evolution. The propagation of multiple debris flows along a river can cause inundation and breaching risk, which can be exemplified by the Min River after the Wenchuan earthquake, Sichuan province, China. In this work, large flume tests were conducted to examine the interactions between debris flows and water current with the fan geometry, momentum, runout distance, deposited width, the relative water level upstream and dominated stress. The results reveal that stony flow commonly travels at a high speed and forms a long rectangle shape fan, while the muddy flow generally travels at a low speed and forms a fan-shaped depositional area. The stony flow can block a river even when the momentum is close to the water current; the muddy flow can block a river when the momentum is lower than that of water current. In case of complete river damming, the relative water level upstream indicates that the inundation risk from the muddy flow damming river would be higher than the inundation risk of stony flow. The diversion ratio of muddy flow decreases as damming ratio. Comparison of dimensionless numbers reveals that stony flow is dominated by grain collision stress combined with turbulent mixing stress, while the muddy flow is dominated by viscous shear stress over friction stress. The fan geometry, damming ratio, diversion ratio, and the dominated stress all together indicate that stony flow strongly interacts with water current while the muddy flow does not. The results can be helpful for understanding the physical interactions between water current and various debris flows, and debris flow dynamics at the channel confluence area.

A quantitative approach for debris flow inception and propagation analysis in the lead up to risk management

This paper presents a quantitative analysis of debris flows in weathered gneiss through a methodology to identify key aspects in the lead up to risk management. The proposed methodology considers both the triggering and propagation stages of landslide using two physically based models “Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-Based Regional Slope-Stability Analysis” (TRIGRS) and “Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics” (SPH), respectively. The TRIGRS analyses provided information about the location and initial volume of potential landslides. The SPH model, adopting the initial triggering volumes as input data, allowed the back analysis of the propagation stage in terms of both main pathway and depositional area. Both models can be easily implemented over large areas for risk assessment and are able to provide interesting information for the design of risk mitigation structures. Clearly, the rigorous implementation of these models requires the use of geotechnical data obtained from in situ and laboratory tests. When these data are not available, literature data obtained for similar soils for genesis and stress history with those studied can be used. The applicability of the methodology has been tested on two debris flows which occurred in 2001 and 2005 in the province of Reggio Calabria causing extensive damage involving various lifelines. The model results have been validated with the real events, in terms of both triggering/inception areas and debris fans using two dimensionless indices (Itrig and Idep). The indices compared, respectively, the real triggering/inception area with the simulated one and the real depositional area with the numerical one. For analysed phenomena, the values of Itrig were higher than 90% while Idep assumes values higher than 70% which support the applicability of the proposed methodology.

Machine Learning Improves Debris Flow Warning

AbstractAutomatic identification of debris flow signals in continuous seismic records remains a challenge. To tackle this problem, we use machine learning, which can be applied to continuous real‐time data. We show that a machine learning model based on the random forest algorithm recognizes different stages of debris flow formation and propagation at the Illgraben torrent, Switzerland, with an accuracy exceeding 90 %. In contrast to typical debris flow detection requiring instrumentation installed in the torrent, our approach provides a significant gain in warning times of tens of minutes to hours. For real‐time data from 2020, our detector raises alarms for all 13 independently confirmed Illgraben events, giving no false alarms. We suggest that our seismic machine‐learning detector is a critical step toward the next generation of debris‐flow warning, which increases warning times using simpler instrumentation compared to existing operational systems.

Water and Sediment Supply Requirements for Post-Wildfire Debris Flows in the Western United States

ABSTRACT This work explores two hypotheses related to runoff-related post-wildfire debris flows: 1) their initiation is limited by rainstorm intensity rather than cumulative rainfall depths and 2) they are not sediment supply limited. The first hypothesis suggests that it is common to generate more than enough rainfall to account for the volume of water in the debris flow, but to actually produce a debris flow, the water must be delivered with sufficient intensity. This is demonstrated by data from 44 debris flows from eight burned areas in California, Colorado, and Utah. Assuming a debris flow comprises 30 percent water and 70 percent solids, these events were generated during rainstorms that produced an average of 17 times as much water as necessary to develop a debris flow. Even accounting for infiltration, the rainstorms still generated an overabundance of water. Intensity dependence is also shown by numerous cases in which the exact timing of debris flows can be pinpointed and is contemporaneous with high-intensity bursts of rainfall. The hypothesis is also supported by rainfall intensity-duration thresholds where high-volume storms without high-intensity bursts do not generate debris flows. The second hypothesis of sediment-supply independence for the initiation of debris flows is supported by a significant increase in flow volume occurring directly after wildfire, compared to flows in unburned terrain. Also, repeated flows within short time intervals are only possible with an abundance of channel sediment, dry ravel, and bank failure material that can be mobilized. Field observations confirm these sediment sources, even directly after a debris-flow.

Influence of biopolymers on the rheological properties of seafloor sediments and the runout behavior of submarine debris flows

Submarine debris flows are mass movement processes on the seafloor, and are geohazards for seafloor infrastructure such as pipelines, communication cables, and submarine structures. Understanding the generation and run-out behavior of submarine debris flows is thus critical for assessing the risk of such geohazards. The rheological properties of seafloor sediments are governed by factors including sediment composition, grain size, water content, and physico-chemical conditions. In addition, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) generated by microorganisms can affect rheological properties in natural systems. Here we show that a small quantity of EPS (~ 0.1 wt%) can potentially increase slope stability and decrease the mobility of submarine debris flows by increasing the internal cohesion of seafloor sediment. Our experiments demonstrated that the flow behavior of sediment suspensions mixed with an analogue material of EPS (xanthan gum) can be described by a Herschel–Bulkley model, with the rheological parameters being modified progressively, but not monotonously, with increasing EPS content. Numerical modeling of debris flows demonstrated that the run-out distance markedly decreases if even 0.1 wt% of EPS is added. The addition of EPS can also enhance the resistivity of sediment to fluidization triggered by cyclic loading, by means of formation of an EPS network that binds sediment particles. These findings suggest that the presence of EPS in natural environments reduces the likelihood of submarine geohazards.

A depth integrated, coupled, two-phase model for debris flow propagation

Debris flows are a type of fast landslides where a mixture of soil and water propagates along narrow channels. The main characteristics are (1) important relative displacements between the solid and fluid phases, and (2) development of pore-water pressures in excess to hydrostatic. The ratios between vertical and horizontal displacements of the flow, from the triggering point to the deposition, indicate that friction angles are much smaller than those measured in laboratories. Debris flows are modeled as two phases flow, but implementing pore-water pressure is an important issue. The purpose of this paper is to improve the existing two phases debris flow models by implementing pore-water pressures in excess to hydrostatic. It is found that pore pressure evolution depends on consolidation, changes in the flow depth, and changes and gradients of porosity. The proposed depth integrated mathematical model is discretized using two sets of SPH nodes (solid and fluid), with a set of finite difference meshes associated with each solid material SPH point. The paper presents two examples from where it is possible to gain insight into the differences between the models (with and without excess pore water pressure).

Designing conduit sabo dam series as a debris flow protection structure

A high potential area for landslides was identified upstream of the Air Beras River on Bukit Beriti Besar which was feared to generate debris flow through the Air Beras River. One of the preventive efforts that can be conducted for debris flow is the sabo dam. This study aims to design a series of conduit sabo dams and evaluate the structure stability according to SNI 2851:2015 and Technical Standards and Guidelines for Planning and Design of Sabo Structures (JICA, 2010). By using the design discharge of debris flow of 120 m3/s, the velocity of 5.06 m/s, and the inclination of the riverbed of around 6.16°, the spillway height of the Sabo Dam 1 was determined to be 3 m, while the spillway height of Sabo Dam 1 was 2 m. The Sabo Dam 1 has a height of 10 m and a width of 30 m with a total manageable volume of 49,600 m3 while the Sabo Dam 2 has a height of 10 m and a width of 45 m with a total manageable volume of 91,500 m3. The safety factors of the sabo dam in the debris flow condition were 2.14 for overturning, 1.50 for sliding, and 5.74 for bearing capacity. Based on the result, the conduit sabo dam series effectively controls the destructive power of debris flow.

Debris flow susceptibility and propagation assessment in West Koyulhisar, Turkey

Turkey is highly prone to landslides because of the geological and geographic location. The study area, which is located in a tectonically active region, has been significantly affected by mass movements. Flow type landslides are frequently observed due to this location. This study aims at determining the source area and propagation of debris flows in the study area. We used the heuristic method to extract source areas of debris flow, and then used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess the performance of the method, and finally calculated the Area under curve (AUC) values being 83.64% and 80.39% for the success rate and prediction rate, respectively. We calculated potential propagation area and runout distance with Flow-R software. In conclusion, the obtained results (susceptibility map, propagation and runout distance) are very important for decision-makers at the region located on an active fault zone, which is highly prone to natural disasters. The outputs of this study could be used in site selection studies, designing erosion prevention systems and protecting existing human-made structures.

Estimating volume of deep-seated landslides and mass transport in Basihlan river basin, Taiwan

Deep-seated landslides are often caused by severe rainfall, but the displaced potential landslide mass often does not slide downslope entirely in one time. Evaluation of the mobilized volume of the deep-seated landslide and the volume of the remaining potentially unstable landslide mass on the slope is vital for hazard mitigation. In this study, an integrated method was developed for evaluation of the potential landslide volume and mass transport of deep-seated landslides caused by Typhoon Morakot in Basihlan River Basin, Taiwan. A combination of various types of remote-sensing data, including aerial photographs, satellite images, and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, from before and after the event were used for locating landslides, and the deep-seated landslides were identified in the Basihlan River Basin, Liuoguey District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. A stability analysis and a profile analysis were conducted to determine the critical sliding surface of each deep-seated landslide, and the volumes (masses) of the landslides were estimated. The total volume of all the deep-seated landslides was approximately 6,017,000 m3 in the Basihlan River Basin. A topographic analysis was performed to evaluate the mass transport of the deep-seated landslides using LiDAR-derived digital terrain models (DTMs) before and after Typhoon Morakot. The mass transport of deep-seated landslides in the Basihlan River Basin was determined to be approximately 3,527,300 m3, which suggested the volume of the remaining potentially unstable landslide mass on slope of approximately 41.4%. The available field data suggested subsequent reactivations of the deep-seated landslides after Typhoon Morakot, including debris flow generation, which damaged the infrastructure. Thus, a large landslide volume remaining in the Basihlan River Basin can cause more landslides or debris flow hazards in the future. Estimation of the potential landslide volume and mass volume remaining on slopes is essential for both short- and long-term mitigation strategies.