Variability of impact of earthquake on debris-flow triggering conditions: case study of Chen-Yu-Lan watershed,Taiwan

This study investigates the variations in the critical conditions for debris-flow occurrence before and after the Chi-Chi earthquake in the Chen-Yu-Lan watershed, Taiwan. Topographical and rainfall parameters such as the gully gradient, drainage area, rainfall intensity, cumulative rainfall, and rainfall duration in the Chen-Yu-Lan watershed were used to analyze the conditions of debris-flow occurrence over the past 25 years. A recovery equation was proposed on the basis of rainfall parameters and used to determine the variations in the critical line of rainfall that trigger debris flow after the earthquake and to evaluate the recovery period required for the rainfall threshold of debris-flow occurrence after the earthquake to return to that before the earthquake in the watershed. The critical line for the runoff parameter versus gully gradient in the watershed was also presented.     

Recognition of debris flow,debris flood and flood hazard through watershed morphometrics

Debris flows, debris floods and floods in mountainous areas are responsible for loss of life and damage to infrastructure, making it important to recognize these hazards in the early stage of planning land developments. Detailed terrain information is seldom available and basic watershed morphometrics must be used for hazard identification. An existing model uses watershed area and relief (the Melton ratio) to differentiate watersheds prone to flooding from those subject to debris flows and debris floods. However, the hazards related to debris flows and debris floods are not the same, requiring further differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that a model using watershed length combined with the Melton ratio can be used to differentiate debris-flow and debris-flood prone watersheds. This model was tested on 65 alluvial and colluvial fans in west central British Columbia, Canada, that were examined in the field. The model correctly identified 92% of the debris-flow, 83% of the debris-flood, and 88% of the flood watersheds. With adaptation for different regional conditions, the use of basic watershed morphometrics could assist land managers, scientists, and engineers with the identification of hydrogeomorphic hazards on fans elsewhere.     

基于流域单元的地质灾害易发性评价——以西藏昌都市为例

作为在山地地区易发的自然灾种,地质灾害每年都给中国造成严重的经济损失。为揭示阐明典型高山峡谷区地质灾害易发性影响因素,文章以昌都市为研究区例,基于区内孕灾环境的差异,对其进行流域划分,同时选取海拔、坡度、地形起伏度等10个指标构建地质灾害易发性评价指标体系,基于随机森林模型对各流域地质灾害易发性空间分布进行研究。结果表明：（1）昌都市地质灾害类型主要以小型灾害为主,大型灾害分布相对较少但危害巨大,险情等级较高,同时,区域内地质灾害的空间分布具有沿河流与道路呈条带状分布的特征;（2）总体来看,各流域地质灾害的影响因素大致相同,但仍具有一定的差异性,金沙江流域受海拔与道路影响较为突出,澜沧江流域受居民点密度影响较为突出,而怒江流域受道路因素影响较为突出;（3）各流域地质灾害易发性空间分布存在差异,金沙江流域低易发面积占比最大,澜沧江与怒江流域均为中易发面积占比最大;三大流域均以高易发所占比最小,但在全流域内均有分布,且主要分布于人类活动较为强烈、岩性较软等区域。     

Debris-flow hazards on tributary junction fans,Chitral, Hindu Kush Range,northern Pakistan

The Chitral district of northern Pakistan lies in the eastern Hindu Kush Range. The population in this high-relief mountainous terrain is restricted to tributary-junction fans in the Chitral valley. Proximity to steep valley slopes renders these fans prone to hydrogeomorphic hazards, including landslides, floods and debris flows.This paper focuses on debris-flow hazards on tributary-junction fans in Chitral. Using field observations, satellite-image analyses and a preliminary morphometry, the tributary-junction fans in the Chitral valley are classified into (1) discrete and (2) composite. The discrete fans are modern-day active landforms and include debris cones associated with ephemeral gullies, debris fans associated with ephemeral channels and alluvial fans formed by perennial streams. The composite fans are a collage of sediment deposits of widely different ages and formed by diverse alluvial-fan forming processes. These include fans formed predominantly during MIS-2/Holocene interglacial stages superimposed by modern-day alluvial and debris fans. Composite fans are turned into relict fans when entrenched by modern-day perennial streams. These deeply incised channels discharge their sediment load directly into the trunk river without significant spread on fan surface. In comparison, when associated with ephemeral streams, active debris fans develop directly at composite-fan surfaces. Major settlements in Chitral are located on composite fans, as they provide large tracts of leveled land with easy accesses to water from the tributary streams. These fan surfaces are relatively more stable, especially when they are entrenched by perennial streams (e.g., Chitral, Ayun, and Reshun). When associated with ephemeral streams (e.g., Snowghar) or a combination of ephemeral and perennial streams (e.g., Drosh), these fans are subject to frequent debris-flow hazards.Fans associated with ephemeral streams are prone to high-frequency (∼10 years return period) debris-flow hazards. By comparison, fans associated with perennial streams are impacted by debris-flow hazards during exceptionally large events with return periods of ∼30 years. This study has utility for quick debris-flow hazard assessment in high-relief mountainous regions, especially in arid- to semi-arid south-central Asia where hazard zonation maps are generally lacking.     

藏区公路地质灾害及其稳定性遥感解译

川藏区公路位于青藏高原腹地,地势高亢,气候寒冷。区内断裂构造十分发育,多以压扭性断裂为主,一般具有逆冲和逆掩性质,沿线发育的主要地质灾害有滑坡、崩塌、泥石流。通过遥感解译分析,在此基础上运用彩红外航空像片,确定了滑坡、崩塌、泥石流的解译标志,解析了其稳定性以及对公路的危害程度,为藏区公路灾害整治工程提供了地质依据。     

Property insurance against debris-flow disasters based on risk assessment and the principal–agent theory

Dongchuan City is highly threatened by debris-flow disasters originating from Shengou gully, a typical debris-flow gully along Xiaojiang River in Yunnan Province (Kang et al. 2004). Shengou gully is studied, and a hazard assessment with numerical simulation is developed using ArcGIS 9.2 software. Debris-flow numerical simulation is an important method for predicting debris-flow inundation regions, zoning debris-flow risks, and helping in the design of debris-flow control works. Meanwhile, vulnerability measurement is essential for hazard and risk research. Based on the self-organized map neural network method, we combine the six vulnerability indicators to create an integrated debris-flow vulnerability map that depicts the vulnerability levels of Dongchuan City in Shengou Basin. Based on the risk assessment (including hazard assessment and vulnerability assessment), we adopt the principal–agent theory and use the risk degree of debris flows as an important index to build the insurance model and analyze the insurance premium of debris-flow disasters in Dongchuan City. This paper discusses the model and mechanism of property insurance in debris-flow risk regions and aims to provide technical support for insurance companies to participate in disaster prevention and reduction.     

Integrated use of GIS and remote sensing for monitoring landslides in transportation pavements: the case study of Paphos area in Cyprus

This study considers the impact of landslides on transportation pavements in rural road network of Cyprus using remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) techniques. Landslides are considered to be one of the most extreme natural hazards worldwide, causing both human losses and severe damages to the transportation network. Risk assessment for monitoring a road network is based on the combination of the probability of landslides occurrence and the extent and severity of the resultant consequences should the disasters (landslides) occur. Factors that can trigger landslide episodes include proximity to active faults, geological formations, fracture zones, degree and high curvature of slopes, water conditions, etc. In this study, the reliability and vulnerability of a rural network are examined. Initially, landslide locations were identified from the interpretation of satellite images. Different geomorphological factors such as aspect, slope, distance from the watershed, lithology, distance from lineaments, topographic curvature, land use and vegetation regime derived from satellite images were selected and incorporated in GIS environment in order to develop a decision support and continuous landslide monitoring system of the area. These parameters were then used in the final landslide hazard assessment model based on the analytic hierarchy process method. The results indicated good correlation between classified high-hazard areas and field-confirmed slope failures. The CA Markov model was also used to predict the landslide hazard zonation map for 2020 and the possible future hazards for transportation pavements. The proposed methodology can be used for areas with similar physiographic conditions all over the Eastern Mediterranean region.     

帕隆藏布江特大型泥石流的成灾模式及防治对策——以扎木镇-古乡段为例

文章通过对雅鲁藏布江的Ⅰ级支流—帕隆藏布江扎木镇-古乡段辫状水系地貌的研究,认为其与两岸支谷发育的泥石流群有关。通过对位于该河段下游的古乡沟和上游的地质弄巴泥石流特征的重点剖析,发现了特大型泥石流发育的2个重要特征,即支谷上游冰蚀围谷中赋存大量巨厚古今冰碛物和支谷中游峡谷段大型崩塌滑坡坝溃决。提出了特大型泥石流的成灾模式,并以该成灾模式解释了2000年易贡巨型滑坡堵江事件。最后,提出了基于上述成灾模式的帕隆藏布江流域特大型泥石流灾害防治的原则和方法。     

基于GIS技术的地质灾害风险分析系统研究

地质灾害的社会经济属性决定了对其规律的研究应有别于传统的工程地质学研究 ,从社会属性方面来分析地质灾害具有更大的社会经济效益。地质灾害的危险性和受威胁对象的易损性是控制地质灾害风险评价的基本条件 ,对这两者的分析评价称作地质灾害危险性评价和社会经济易损性评价。GIS技术支持下的地质灾害风险分析代表着地质灾害研究领域的一个重要发展方向。经过多年研究 ,作者开发出了基于商业GIS软件的区域地质灾害风险分析系统 (RiskAnly)。本文介绍了该系统的设计思路、基本结构和工作过程 ,并利用此系统对我国全国范围的滑坡灾害进行了危险性分析、区域社会经济易损性分析和最终的风险评估。     

A debris-flow alarm system for the Alpine Illgraben catchment: design and performance

We describe the development, implementation, and first analyses of the performance of a debris-flow warning system for the Illgraben catchment and debris fan area. The Illgraben catchment (9.5 km²), located in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland, in the Rhone River valley, is characterized by frequent and voluminous sediment transport and debris-flow activity, and is one of the most active debris-flow catchments in the Alps. It is the site of an instrumented debris-flow observation station in operation since the year 2000. The residents in Susten (municipality Leuk), tourists, and other land users, are exposed to a significant hazard. The warning system consists of four modules: community organizational planning (hazard awareness and preparedness), event detection and alerting, geomorphic catchment observation, and applied research to facilitate the development of an early warning system based on weather forecasting. The system presently provides automated alert signals near the active channel prior to (5–15 min) the arrival of a debris flow or flash flood at the uppermost frequently used channel crossing. It is intended to provide data to support decision-making for warning and evacuation, especially when unusually large debris flows are expected to leave the channel near populated areas. First-year results of the detection and alert module in comparison with the data from the independent debris-flow observation station are generally favorable. Twenty automated alerts (alarms) were issued, which triggered flashing lights and sirens at all major footpaths crossing the channel bed, for three debris flows and 16 flood flows. Only one false alarm was issued. The major difficulty we encountered is related to the variability and complexity of the events (e.g., events consisting of multiple surges) and can be largely solved by increasing the duration of the alarm. All of the alarms for hazardous events were produced by storms with a rainfall duration and intensity larger than the threshold for debris-flow activity that was defined in an earlier study, supporting our intention to investigate the use of rainfall forecasts to increase the time available for warning and implementation of active countermeasures.     

中小流域山洪危险性区划

山洪危险性区域划分是一种行之有效的防洪减灾非工程措施,是防洪减灾体系中的重要组成部分.利用GIS技术和模糊数学方法建立山洪危险性评价模型;从山洪危险性定义出发,利用正交设计方法,考察降雨量和单位面积汇流时间等对山洪影响的敏感性,确定了合理的山洪危险性评价指标体系并结合层次分析法确定了评价指标权重.选择淮河上游息县流域进行了实证应用分析,对研究区域山洪危险性空间分布进行划分.研究结果表明:单位面积汇流时间短、地势起伏较大的地区是山洪危险性较大的区域,需要加强防治.      

Debris-flow risk analysis in south Gargano watersheds (Southern-Italy)

This article describes a methodology to analyse debris-flow risk in the torrential watersheds of the southern hillside of Gargano (Puglia—Italy). The approach integrates a stability model that identifies the areas of potential shallow landslides in different meteorological conditions with a two-dimensional flood routing model that allows hazard mapping and GIS interface. The results were combined with a susceptibility map that was defined by analyzing the vulnerability conditions and the exposure of the alluvial fan. The models were calibrated on the 1972, July catastrophic event for which the distribution of rainstorm intensity was available. The geo-mechanical properties of the debris were studied by field surveys and laboratory tests while the sediment source areas and the shape of the alluvial cone were obtained using photo-aerial interpretation. The risk conditions of the areas under consideration were also investigated in order to plan and guide measures aimed at limiting the damage such hazards may cause.     

Comparison of debris-flow volume and activity under different formation conditions

Debris flows frequently occurred in Wenchuan earthquake region from 2008 to 2010, resulting in great damage to localities and being a prolonged threat to reconstruction. Forty three events' data including debris-flow volume, sediment volume and watershed area are analyzed and compared with other debris-flow events in Eastern Italian Alps, burned areas in USA and in Taiwan. The analysis reveals that there is a strong empirical relationship between debris-flow volume and loose materials volume in the earthquake region. In addition, the relationship between debris-flow volume and watershed area in the earthquake region has a wider variation range than that in other three regions while the debris volume also appears to be larger than that in the other three regions, which implies the volume of debris flows with strong influence of earthquakes is larger than that with no such influence and it is hard to predict the post-quake volume only by the watershed area. The comparison of the maximal debris-flow erosion modulus in the Wenchuan region and in Taiwan indicates that debris flows will be very active in a short time after strong earthquake.     

GIS在地震灾害调查中的应用

本文首先讨论了地理信息系统在灾害研究中应用的现状和特点，然后着重介绍了日本孤神地震后震害地理信息系统建立的过程及其功能。     

Development of an empirical model for rainfall-induced hillside vulnerability assessment: a case study on Chen-Yu-Lan watershed,Nantou, Taiwan

In Taiwan, the hillside is about 70 % of total area. These areas also have steep topography and geological vulnerability. When an event of torrential rain comes during a typhoon, the landslide disasters usually occur at these areas due to the long duration and high intensity of rainfall. Therefore, a design which considers the potential landslide has become an important issue in Taiwan. In this study, a temporal characteristic of landslide fragility curve (LFC) was developed, based on the geomorphological and vegetation factors using landslides at the Chen-Yu-Lan watershed in Taiwan, during Typhoon Sinlaku (September 2008) and Typhoon Morakot (August 2009). This study addressed an effective landslide hazard assessment process, linking together the post-landslide damage and post-rainfall data for LFC model. The Kriging method was used to interpolate the rainfall indices (R ₀, R, I) for numerical analysis. Remote sensing data from SPOT images were applied to analyze the landslide ratio and vegetation conditions. The 40-m digital elevation model was used for slope variation analysis in the watershed, and the maximum likelihood estimate was conducted to determine the mean and standard deviation parameters of the proposed empirical LFC model. This empirical model can express the probability of exceeding a damage state for a certain classification (or conditions) of landslides by considering a specific hazard index for a given event. Finally, the vulnerability functions can be used to assess the loss from landslides, and, in the future, to manage the risk of debris flow in the watershed.     

泥石流致灾因子敏感性分析——以四川都江堰龙溪河流域为例

泥石流是我国山区常见的地质灾害,为了定量研究泥石流灾害致灾因子的敏感性并确定各个致灾因子的权重大小,本文通过野外调查、数理统计法和层次分析法对龙溪河流域泥石流灾害的主要致灾因子进行定性规律分析和定量权重计算。结果表明:（1）泥石流灾害的发生与致灾因子的敏感性区间主要定性表现为:流域面积小于1 km2以内、高差在200~400 m范围内、距断层距离为0~2 km、山坡坡度30°~50°、岩性为砂岩、纵比降在400‰~600‰等,其泥石流发生与致灾因子具有相关性,且相关性较好;（2）选取了泥石流灾害致灾因子中的历史因子、地形因子、地质因子和降雨因子等4个一级因子以及流域面积、高程、相对高差、纵坡比、地层岩性等14个二级因子建立层次分析模型和计算判断矩阵,定量计算权重值得出降雨,流域面积,地层岩性,纵比降等四个因子对泥石流发生的敏感性最强。这一结论具有普遍性,可对该区域泥石流的易发性,危险性,风险性评价提供一定的数据参考意义。     

Flood occurrence hazard forecasting based on geographical information system

The application of Geographical Information system (GIS) in modeling flood and its prediction in catchments offers considerable potential. Several examples illustrate simple GIS techniques to produce flood hazard indices or its zonation using hydrologic-type models. Existing flood models can also be loosely coupled to a GIS, such as the HMS (Hydrological Modeling System) model. Forethermore, models can be fully integrated into a GIS by embedded coupling, such as the SCS (Soil Conservation Service) model. Installation of flood forecasting systems in watersheds with incomplete hydrometric data may reduce the flood-induced damages. In this study Geographical Information system used to up to date the watershed data and estimation of SCS model parameters which is sensible to considered the real time flood forecasting in Kasilian catchment of Mazandaran province. The main aim of this paper is to investigate the possibility of the linkage between GIS with a comprehensive hydrologic model, especially HMS. The use of GIS could produce a suitable agreement between observed results (extracted rainfall and runoff data of 1992, 1995 and 1996 from the related stations) with the calculated results of the hydrological model. The obtained results from rainfall-runoff process simulations of the model in this research showed that submergibility of the main watershed, Kasillian, does not depend on the outlet discharge rate of each one of its watershed independently. But it is related to how those two outlet hydrographs from main river watershed are combined. The model is capable of showing the flood characteristics temporally and spatially in each cross section of the channel network.     

Landslide hazard mapping using logistic regression model in Mackenzie Valley,Canada

A logistic regression model is developed within the framework of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to map landslide hazards in a mountainous environment. A case study is conducted in the mountainous southern Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories, Canada. To determine the factors influencing landslides, data layers of geology, surface materials, land cover, and topography were analyzed by logistic regression analysis, and the results are used for landslide hazard mapping. In this study, bedrock, surface materials, slope, and difference between surface aspect and dip direction of the sedimentary rock were found to be the most important factors affecting landslide occurrence. The influence on landslides by interactions among geologic and geomorphic conditions is also analyzed, and used to develop a logistic regression model for landslide hazard mapping. The comparison of the results from the model including the interaction terms and the model not including the interaction terms indicate that interactions among the variables were found to be significant for predicting future landslide probability and locating high hazard areas. The results from this study demonstrate that the use of a logistic regression model within a GIS framework is useful and suitable for landslide hazard mapping in large mountainous geographic areas such as the southern Mackenzie Valley.     

Application of logistic regression model for slope instability prediction in Cuyahoga River Watershed,Ohio, USA

High incidences of slope movement are observed throughout Cuyahoga River watershed in northeast Ohio, USA. The major type of slope failure involves rotational movement in steep stream walls where erosion of the banks creates over-steepened slopes. The occurrence of landslides in the area depends on a complex interaction of natural as well as human induced factors, including: rock and soil strength, slope geometry, permeability, precipitation, presence of old landslides, proximity to streams and flood-prone areas, land use patterns, excavation of lower slopes and/or increasing the load on upper slopes, alteration of surface and subsurface drainage. These factors were used to evaluate the landslide-induced hazard in Cuyahoga River watershed using logistic regression analysis, and a landslide susceptibility map was produced in ArcGIS. The map classified land into four categories of landslide susceptibility: low, moderate, high, and very high. The susceptibility map was validated using known landslide locations within the watershed area. The landslide susceptibility map produced by the logistic regression model can be efficiently used to monitor potential landslide-related problems, and, in turn, can help to reduce hazards associated with landslides.     

A similarity-based quantitative model for assessing regional debris-flow hazard

Debris flows belong to sudden disasters which are difficult to forecast. Thus, a detailed and coherent hazard assessment seems a necessary step to prevent or relieve such disasters and mitigate the risk effectively. Previous researchers have proposed several methods, such as regression analysis, fuzzy mathematics, and artificial neural networks for debris-flow hazard assessment. However, these methods need further improvements to eliminate the high relativity existing in their results. The current study reported a similarity-based debris-flow hazard assessment model to determine hazard levels of debris flow in regions, with steps like determining hazard-level-type regions, selecting environmental factors and calculating the similarities between the assessment-pending regions and assessed hazard-level-type ones. This methodology was then employed to assess the regional debris hazard of Yunnan Province in China as a case study and was verified via comparison with field surveys. As the results indicate, the proposed similarity-based debris-flow risk assessment model is simple and efficient and can improve the comparability and reliability of the assessment to some degree.