Rainfall duration and debris-flow initiated studies for real-time monitoring

A rainfall-induced debris flow warning is implemented employing real-time rain gauge data. The pre-warning for the time of landslide triggering derives the threshold or critical rainfall from historical events involving regional rainfall patterns and geological conditions. In cases of debris flow, the time taken cumulative runoff, to yield abundant water for debris triggering, is an important index that needs monitoring. In gathered historical cases, rainfall time history data from the nearest rain gauge stations to debris-flow sites connected to debris flow are used to define relationships between the rainfall intensity and duration. The effects by which the regional rainfall patterns (antecedent rainfall, duration, intensity, cumulative rainfall) and geological settings combine together to trigger a debris-flow are analyzed for real-time monitoring. The analyses focused on 61 historical hazard events with the timing of debris flow initiation and rainfall duration to burst debris-flow characteristics recorded. A combination of averaged rainfall intensity and duration is a more practical index for debris-flow monitoring than critical or threshold rainfall intensity. Because, the outburst timing of debris flows correlates closely to the peak hourly rainfall and the forecasting of peak hourly rainfall reached in a meteorological event could be a valuable index for real-time debris-flow warning.     

暴雨型泥石流预警模型初步研究

2010年8月13日四川都江堰市龙池地区暴发了特大规模的群发性暴雨型泥石流过程,给龙池地区的震后恢复重建带来了巨大的灾难,因此,研究该区泥石流发生机理和预警十分必要。本文在总结前人关于泥石流暴发与降雨条件研究成果基础上,发现泥石流物源含水量及地表径流流深等是导致流域内松散物源启动的主要原因。根据其前期降雨量和有效降雨强度等特征,建立了泥石流流域物源土体颗粒个别启动、局部启动和大量启动的判别式,建立了适合该区域暴雨泥石流预警模型,将可能诱发泥石流暴发的不同降雨条件划分为蓝、黄和红色3个危险等级,为该区泥石流监测预警提供了科学依据。     

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.     

泥石流灾害的物源控制与高性能减灾

传统的观点认为山区泥石流灾害的形成主要取决于降水,其产汇流运动的过程是可采用水文过程模拟的物理过程。基于目前泥石流灾害集中分布于地震带和干旱河谷的现象以及现有的泥石流形成与防治研究基础,我们发现在人类居住与活动的山区,其坡度和降水极易满足泥石流灾害的形成条件,因此物源控制着泥石流灾害的孕育、形成和演化,主宰了灾害性泥石流的过程。物源的动态变化改变了泥石流发育的难易程度,主导了泥石流的规模和频率变化。泥石流物源在内外动力作用下经历松散化或密实化两个不同的演化过程,不同密度的土体通过剪缩或剪胀形成不同规模、频率与性质的泥石流。此外物源也控制了泥石流的规模放大过程。实践证明基于物源控制理论的区域预测、分级多指标预警和工程调控技术是科学有效的。因此,灾害性泥石流是一个地质作用主导的地质过程,该过程的特征描述需要更多地考虑基于地质环境条件的经验模型,且高效能的灾害预测预警与调控需要基于物源控制的机理和过程而进行。     

Recent catastrophic debris flows in Luding county, SW China: geological hazards, rainfall analysis and dynamic characteristics

About 127 debris flow gullies have been identified, and debris flows have been an important type of geological hazards in Luding County, affecting cities, towns, rural areas, scenic spots and human’s engineering projects, such as mining and waterpower utilizing equipments. In this summary paper, recent two catastrophic debris flow events occurred on June 30, 2005, in Chuni town, in the central of the county, and on August 11, 2005, in Hailuogou scenic spot, in the southwest of the county, respectively, are reviewed. The debris flow events are introduced on the basis of field investigation and RS interpretation and the triggering factors for flow occurrence are identified. Furthermore, the rainfall related to flow occurrence including antecedent rainfall and intraday rainfall is analyzed, and a power-law function which can be used as a basic warning line is established based on both antecedent effective rainfall and intraday rainfall. Then dynamic parameters such as flow velocity and flow discharge are calculated, respectively. Through comparison and discussion, some conclusions are made including (1) The antecedent rainfall played an important role for debris flows which generated predominately based on the slope-instability due to the saturated loose sediments; (2) Despite slower flow velocity and smaller magnitude, the slope-type debris flows just like 2005-6-30 debris flows usually lead to serious damages for the difficulty to forecast and to prevent; (3) The mistaken recognition on debris flow hazards and lack of prevention consciousness strengthen the hazard and damage degree. This research is of certain significance for the prevention and mitigation of debris flow hazards and for the planning of the town building and tourism development in the future.     

北京山区泥石流灾害预警方法研究

北京山区泥石流灾害较为频繁,总体以暴雨型沟谷泥石流为主,受地形、地貌、地质、降雨以及松散物类型等因素的影响比较明显。在调查分析北京山区泥石流灾害发育特征的基础上,从泥石流的形成和启动条件入手,对泥石流灾害的预警方法进行研究与探讨。     

四川泸定县泥石流灾害成因、特征与防治建议

泸定县地处川西高原与四川盆地的过渡地带,地质环境条件复杂,分布泥石流沟127条,发育密度054条10km-2。在遥感解译和地面调查基础上,论述了泸定县泥石流灾害成因、发生特征、危害和发展趋势,提出了相关防治建议。(1)成因表现为复杂的断裂构造导致流域内松散物源丰富,较大的相对高差提供了良好势能条件,而汛期集中强降雨则提供了动能条件,且雨量条件中当日雨量与前期有效降雨量之间具有幂函数关系; (2)发生特征表现出典型的空间群发性(包括2005-06-30群发性泥石流、2005-08-11群发性泥石流和2006-07-14群发性泥石流)与时间的夜发性; (3)危害方式主要包括淤埋、冲毁、侵蚀、堵河4种,泥石流已造成74人死亡; (4)发展趋势表现为泥石流沟多处于形成期和发展期(113条,占89%),发生的年际准周期由20a缩短至不足10a,且发生条(次)由4条(次)增加至44条次(2005年); (5)泸定县泥石流防治的突出问题表现为城镇泥石流问题、泥石流堵塞主河问题、风景区泥石流问题与冲沟泥石流问题,建议通过科学规划、风险防御体系构建、土木工程治理、监测预警等措施予以防御。     

汶川震区北川9.24暴雨泥石流特征研究

2008年9月24日汶川震区的北川县暴雨导致区域性泥石流发生,这次9.24暴雨泥石流灾害导致了42人死亡,对公路和其他基础设施造成严重损毁。本研究采用地面调查和遥感解译方法分析地震与暴雨共同作用下的泥石流特征,获取的气象数据用于分析泥石流起动的临界雨量条件。本文探讨了研究区泥石流起动和输移过程,并根据野外调查,分析了泥石流形成的降雨、岩石和断层作用,特别是强降雨过程与物源区对泥石流发生的作用。根据应急调查发现北川县境内暴雨诱发的泥石流72处,其分布受岩石类型、发震断层和河流等因素控制。根据对研究区震前和震后泥石流发生的临界雨量和雨强的初步分析,汶川地震后,该区域泥石流起动的前期累积雨量降低了14.8%～22.1%,小时雨强降低25.4 %～31.6%。震区泥石流起动方式主要有二种,一是由于暴雨过程形成的斜坡表层径流导致悬挂于斜坡上的滑坡体表面和前缘松散物质向下输移,进入沟道后转为泥石流过程;二是消防水管效应使沟道水流快速集中,并强烈冲刷沟床中松散固体物质,导致沟床物质起动并形成泥石流过程。调查和分析发现沟内堆积的滑坡坝对泥石流的阻塞明显,溃决后可导致瞬时洪峰流量特别大。研究结果表明了汶川震区已进入一个新的活跃期。因此,应该开展对汶川地震区的泥石流风险评估和监测、早期预警,采取有效的工程措施控制泥石流的发生和危害。     

Objective definition of rainfall intensity–duration thresholds for the initiation of post-fire debris flows in southern California

Rainfall intensity–duration (ID) thresholds are commonly used to predict the temporal occurrence of debris flows and shallow landslides. Typically, thresholds are subjectively defined as the upper limit of peak rainstorm intensities that do not produce debris flows and landslides, or as the lower limit of peak rainstorm intensities that initiate debris flows and landslides. In addition, peak rainstorm intensities are often used to define thresholds, as data regarding the precise timing of debris flows and associated rainfall intensities are usually not available, and rainfall characteristics are often estimated from distant gauging locations. Here, we attempt to improve the performance of existing threshold-based predictions of post-fire debris-flow occurrence by utilizing data on the precise timing of debris flows relative to rainfall intensity, and develop an objective method to define the threshold intensities. We objectively defined the thresholds by maximizing the number of correct predictions of debris flow occurrence while minimizing the rate of both Type I (false positive) and Type II (false negative) errors. We identified that (1) there were statistically significant differences between peak storm and triggering intensities, (2) the objectively defined threshold model presents a better balance between predictive success, false alarms and failed alarms than previous subjectively defined thresholds, (3) thresholds based on measurements of rainfall intensity over shorter duration (≤60 min) are better predictors of post-fire debris-flow initiation than longer duration thresholds, and (4) the objectively defined thresholds were exceeded prior to the recorded time of debris flow at frequencies similar to or better than subjective thresholds. Our findings highlight the need to better constrain the timing and processes of initiation of landslides and debris flows for future threshold studies. In addition, the methods used to define rainfall thresholds in this study represent a computationally simple means of deriving critical values for other studies of nonlinear phenomena characterized by thresholds.     

Quartzite terrains, geologic controls, and basin denudation by debris flows: their role in long-term landscape evolution in the central Appalachians

A large storm in 1995 that impacted the central Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia triggered over a thousand debris flows, which deeply incised stream channels in zero-, first-, and second-order basins underlain primarily by granite, metabasalt, and quartzite. This event provided an opportunity to gain insight into geologic controls on debris-flow initiation and rates of basin denudation. Intensive investigations in quartzite terrain indicated that well-developed joints provide for rapid infiltration of rainwater and thus affected debris-flow initiation. Possible mechanisms of slope failure include (1) elevated rates of fracture recharge in steep valleys and/or (2) bedrock bedding planes. Fracture recharge may serve to substantially increase rock pore pressure during high intensity rainfall, especially when coupled with antecedent moisture. The quartzite bedrock tends to break into orthogonal blocks due to jointing. Statistical analysis shows the presence of a minimum of two joint populations that serve as bedrock controls on lateral erosion. Resistant bedding planes, parallel to slope, control vertical erosion below a finer-grained layer of saprolite. The combination of increased recharge and joint orientations in quartzite basins are likely the main factors resulting in the highest measured values of basin denudation from debris flows, relative to other lithologies, in the central Appalachians. Additionally, these joint and bedding planes produce a topographic signature at all scales and, therefore, are an important factor controlling long-term landscape evolution.     

Regional debris-flow distribution and preliminary risk assessment from severe storm events in the Appalachian Blue Ridge Province,USA

Storms of high-intensity rainfall, including hurricanes, occur about once every 3 years in small areas of the mountains of the eastern United States posing a high debris-flow hazard. Reported casualties and monetary losses are often an insufficient and inadequate means for comparing the impact from debris flows. A simple GIS technique was used to characterize the distribution and density of debris flows for making a preliminary assessment of risk of impact on roads. This technique was used for comparison of three major severe storms resulting in numerous debris flows: August 10–17, 1940, near Deep Gap, North Carolina; August 19–20, 1969, in Nelson County, Virginia; and June 27, 1995, in Madison County, Virginia. Based on the criteria of the number of debris flows and area covered by debris flows, the August 19–20, 1969, Nelson County, Virginia, event was the most severe of the three storms and posed the greatest risk of debris-flow impact on roads.     

北京山区泥石流预警阈值初步研究

泥石流预警阈值,是突发地质灾害防灾减灾的重要参考指标。本文结合北京山区泥石流灾害特点和已有降雨阈值研究成果,一方面在泥石流沟易发性、物源和危害人数进行分级的基础上,提出不同级别沟谷在不同前期降雨条件下,不同发灾概率的激发雨量,极大地方便了中短期预警实际工作;另一方面将泥石流流域降雨量、土壤含水率、次声、泥位4个参数,作为泥石流短临灾害预警关键物理参数,开展了泥石流专业监测设备预警阈值研究。最终,从技术层面上构建不同时间维度的泥石流监测预警阈值体系,为北京山区泥石流监测预警提供技术支持。     

基于水文过程的泥石流预报中前期有效降水量的确定方法

前期有效降水量是泥石流预报的一个关键因子,但是确定此关键因子的常用方法存在参数取值过于人为主观化的问题。为解决这一问题,提出利用模拟降雨截留、入渗和蒸散发等水文过程的方法确定泥石流预报中的前期有效降雨量,并利用基于流域水土耦合机制的泥石流预报系统预报四川省在2013年7月9日的泥石流灾害来检验该方法。结果表明:利用水文过程模拟方法确定的前期有效降水更适用于泥石流预报,泥石流预报的漏报率比常用的降雨衰减经验公式低21.1%,能更好地为泥石流防灾减灾服务。     

舟曲三眼峪泥石流监测预警方案设计

对泥石流的防治不仅要有工程治理措施,而且应配合相应的监测预警措施,以达到有效减缓地质灾害风险的目的.笔者以舟曲三眼峪泥石流为例,设计了针对泥石流触发因素的降雨监测方案;针对泥石流发生和变化过程的次声、泥位、红外线遮断、视频监测方案;针对泥石流物源的滑坡崩塌监测方案;以及针对泥石流防治工程拦挡坝的应力应变监测方案;在此基...     

A new monitoring station for debris flows in the European Alps: first observations in the Gadria basin

Debris-flow monitoring in instrumented areas is an invaluable way to gather field data that may improve the understanding of these hazardous phenomena. A new experimental site has been equipped in the Autonomous Province of Bozen-Bolzano (Eastern Alps, Italy) for both monitoring purposes and testing early warning systems. The study site (Gadria basin) is a 6.3 km² catchment subjected to frequent debris flows. The monitoring system in the Gadria basin consists of rain gauges, radar sensors, geophones, video cameras, piezometers and soil moisture probes. Transmission of data and alerts from the instruments exploits in part radio technology. The paper presents the data gathered during the first three years of activity, with two debris-flow events recorded at the station varying in magnitude and characteristics, and discusses the perspectives of debris-flow monitoring and related research.     

Debris flows in the Lushan earthquake area: formation characteristics,rainfall conditions,and evolutionary tendency

Debris flows often occur in the mountainous watersheds of earthquake-affected areas, and in the Lushan earthquake area of southwestern China, they have become a significant hazard. In this study, the influencing factors and spatial distribution of debris flows were analyzed through a review of their occurrence history. Debris flows are mainly distributed in the northwestern part of the study area, which hosts the greatest density of active faults. The debris flows are generally formed by the ‘progressive bulking’ effect in channels, and deep incision, lateral erosion, and blockage breaking are common processes that amplify the magnitude of such debris flows. Rainfall thresholds for different types of debris flow were proposed to explain the spatial differences between debris-flow regions, and the temporal variations of those thresholds highlighted how the rainfall conditions required for the occurrence of debris flows have changed. Natural vegetation recovery, reduction in the availability of solid material, and artificial debris-flow control projects play important roles in raising the threshold of the rainfall conditions required for triggering debris flows.

     

Design and performance of a novel multi-function debris flow mitigation system in Wenjia Gully,Sichuan

The post-earthquake debris flows in the Wenjia Gully led to the exposure of the shortcomings in the design of the original conventional debris flow mitigation system. A predicament for the Wenjia mitigation system is a large amount of loose material (est. 50 × 10⁶ m³) that has been deposited in the gully by the co-seismic landslide, providing abundant source material for debris flows under saturation. A novel design solution for the replacement mitigation system was proposed and constructed, and has exhibited excellent performance and resilience in subsequent debris flows. The design was governed by the three-phase philosophy of controlling water, sediment, and erosion. An Early Warning System (EWS) for debris flow that uses real-time field data was developed; it issues alerts based on the probabilistic and empirical correlations between rainfall and debris flows. This two-fold solution reduces energy of the debris flow by combining different mitigation measures while minimizing the impact through event forecasting and rapid public information sharing. Declines in the number and size of debris flows in the gully, with increased corresponding rainfall thresholds and mean rainfall intensity-duration (I-D) thresholds, indicate the high efficacy of the new mitigation system and a lowered debris flow susceptibility. This paper reports the design of the mitigation system and analyzes the characteristics of rainfall and debris flow events that occurred before and after implementation of the system; it evaluates the effectiveness of one of the most advanced debris flow mitigation systems in China.     

Debris flood risk assessment for Mosquito Creek, British Columbia, Canada

Mosquito Creek drains a 15.5 km² watershed on the North Shore Mountains north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and flows through the densely urbanized District and then City of North Vancouver. Previous studies determined that the creek is subject to debris floods (hyperconcentrated flows). The National Research Council of Canada is applying multi-hazard risk assessment procedures for various regions in B.C. and chose Mosquito Creek as one of its target areas. As part of its natural hazard management plan, the District of North Vancouver (DNV) requested an assessment of debris flood hazards and associated risk to life. Using a combination of empirical methods, dendrochronology and some judgment, BGC Engineering Inc. assessed debris flood hazard extent, velocity and depth for estimated 100-, 200-, 500- and 2,500-year debris flow return periods. Based on the results from the hazard assessment, risk for individuals and groups living within the hazard area, including residential homes and a fire hall, was estimated. Compared to risk tolerance criteria accepted on an interim basis by the DNV, we estimate that societal risk exceeds tolerable standards and that individual risk exceeds tolerable standards for 10 homes. The results from the risk to loss of life study have prompted DNV to implement a series of risk reduction measures including installation of a debris containment net and watershed restoration measures.     

Debris flows caused by failure of fill slopes: early detection,warning, and loss prevention

This paper describes early detection, warning, and loss prevention for debris flows originating as failures of fill slopes. Worldwide, fill slopes constructed on steep terrain for roads, hillside residential developments, timber harvest landings, etc., are an increasing source of debris-flow hazards. Some fill failures that generate debris flows are the final stage of incremental failures that provide warning signs of instability in the months or years before the debris flow. Mapping and analysis of minor features, such as cracks and small scarps, on paved or unpaved surfaces of fills can identify incipient and impending fill failures that are major debris-flow hazards. Potential debris-flow paths can be mapped and risk assessments conducted. Loss prevention or reduction can be achieved by (1) prioritized maintenance, (2) prioritized repair, (3) monitoring, (4) warnings for emergency officials and the public, and (5) risk avoidance or reduction in land-use planning, zoning, cooperation between jurisdictions, and project development.     

震后深切拉槽型泥石流成因模式、暴发特点与防治:以四川九寨沟牙扎沟为例

以四川九寨沟地区牙扎沟泥石流为研究对象,通过数次野外调查及历史资料的统计,详细研究该泥石流的暴发特点、临界雨量及暴发成因,在成因模式分析的基础上提出相应的防治方案。研究结果表明:泥石流具有隐蔽性、突发性、破坏性和输沙能力较强的暴发特点;汶川地震后泥石流暴发的临界雨量仅为2008年“5·12”汶川地震前的一半,2014年至今流域未发生泥石流,临界雨量有逐渐恢复的趋势;短历时强降雨、深切拉槽式物源补给和高陡的地貌条件是泥石流暴发的根本原因;泥石流的成因模式为“降雨渗流、岩土饱水、山洪冲击、沟道深切拉槽、溯源侵蚀、冲刷淘蚀、岸坡侧蚀坍塌、悬移滚动”。这种震后 “拉槽”式泥石流治理应在提高设防标准和优化治理结构形式的同时,以控制集中区物源启动为主、拦挡为辅的防治思路为指导。研究结果可为该地区类似泥石流的防治及预警提供借鉴。