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.     

Geological factors for hazardous debris flows in Hoser, central Taiwan

By means of an onsite investigation, the largest debris flow in Taiwan's history is analyzed in this paper. A heavy rainfall of 1,748 mm/day occurred during typhoon Herb in the Hoser area at the end of July 1996. Aerial photographic assessment and observations of geological and geomorphological features have contributed to our understanding of this massive destruction. Mechanisms of the hazardous debris flow are explored and discussed. Data revealed that the rock discontinuities were a major factor in the voluminous loose materials in the debris flows. The heavy and rapid rainfall instantly transported massive amounts of debris flow materials into the center, and then quickly funneled them to the lower parts of gullies. The heavy slurry became an effective cutting device to erode the side walls and move large quantities of the debris materials to the end of the gullies.     

GIS-based hazard mapping and zonation of debris flows in Xiaojiang Basin,southwestern China

Debris flow sites were identified at 140 locations in the Xiaojiang Basin in Yunnan province, southwestern China. Their spatial distribution and catchment characteristics are described in detail on the basis of previous research, air photo interpretation, field investigation and mapping using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Using a statistical approach, a quantitative model of hazards assessment and zonation was developed through synthesis analysis of basin areas, gradients, and the relative reliefs of these debris flow sites. In terms of debris flow hazard assessment, areas within the Xiaojiang Basin can be classified as severe, heavy and light hazard regions.     

澜沧江结义坡沟泥石流灾害评价

为查明坝址区是否存在泥石流地质灾害,分析其对建坝的影响,现场对结义坡泥石流沟进行了追踪调查,以充分认识沟谷的地形地貌条件、地质条件、植被发育情况以及泥石流的活动痕迹、冲淤特征等。并对泥石流沟谷、堆积扇等进行了有关的试验及量测工作。用国内外常用的计算稀性泥石流参数的公式对泥石流的流速、流量及冲击力等参数进行了计算,为正确评价泥石流地质灾害奠定基础。调查研究表明,结义坡沟泥石流活动正处于停歇期,但应注意加强集水区内水土保持工作,尤其是对结义坡沟入口段裸露坡体要引起重视。     

Landscape and sedimentary response to catastrophic debris avalanches, western Taranaki, New Zealand

Catastrophic volcanic debris avalanches reshape volcanic edifices with up to half of pre-collapse cone volumes being removed. Deposition from this debris avalanche deposit often fills and inundates the surrounding landscape and may permanently change the distribution of drainage networks. On the weakly-incised Mt. Taranaki ring-plain, volcanic debris avalanche deposits typically form a large, wedge shape (in plan view), over all flat-lying fans. Following volcanic debris avalanches a period of intense re-sedimentation commonly begins on ring-plain areas, particularly in wet or temperate climates. This is exacerbated by large areas of denuded landscape, ongoing instability in the scarp/source region, damming of river/stream systems, and in some cases inherent instability of the volcanic debris avalanche deposits. In addition, on Mt. Taranaki, the collapse of a segment of the cone by volcanic debris avalanche often generates long periods of renewed volcanism, generating large volumes of juvenile tephra onto unstable and unvegetated slopes, or construction of new domes with associated rock falls and block-and-ash flows. The distal ring-plain impact from these post-debris avalanche conditions and processes is primarily accumulation of long run-out debris flow and hyperconcentrated flow deposits with a variety of lithologies and sedimentary character. Common to these post-debris avalanche units is evidence for high-water-content flows that are typically non-cohesive. Hence sedimentary variations in these units are high in lateral and longitudinal exposure in relation to local topography. The post-collapse deposits flank large-scale fans and hence similar lithological and chronological sequences can form on widely disparate sectors of the ring plain. These deposits on Mt. Taranaki provide a record of landscape response and ring-plain evolution in three stages that divide the currently identified Warea Formation: 1) the deposition of broad fans of material adjacent to the debris avalanche unit; 2) channel formation and erosion of Stage 1 deposits, primarily at the contact between debris avalanche deposits and the Stage 1 deposits and the refilling of these channels; and 3) the development of broad tabular sheet flows on top of the debris avalanche, leaving sediments between debris avalanche mounds. After a volcanic debris avalanche, these processes represent an ever changing and evolving hazard-scape with hazard maps needing to be regularly updated to take account of which stage the sedimentary system is in.     

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.     

Debris flows: behaviour and hazard assessment

Debris flows are water‐laden masses of soil and fragmented rock that rush down mountainsides, funnel into stream channels, entrain objects in their paths, and form lobate deposits when they spill onto valley floors. Because they have volumetric sediment concentrations that exceed 40 percent, maximum speeds that surpass 10 m/s, and sizes that can range up to ～10⁹ m³, debris flows can denude slopes, bury floodplains, and devastate people and property. Computational models can accurately represent the physics of debris‐flow initiation, motion and deposition by simulating evolution of flow mass and momentum while accounting for interactions of debris’ solid and fluid constituents. The use of physically based models for hazard forecasting can be limited by imprecise knowledge of initial and boundary conditions and material properties, however. Therefore, empirical methods continue to play an important role in debris‐flow hazard assessment.     

Rainfall-triggering response patterns of post-seismic debris flows in the Wenchuan earthquake area

Several giant debris flows occurred in southwestern China after the Wenchuan earthquake, causing serious casualties and economic losses. Debris flows were frequently triggered after the earthquake. A relatively accurate prediction of these post-seismic debris flows can help to reduce the consequent damages. Existing debris flow prediction is almost based on the study of the relationship between post-earthquake debris flows and rainfall. The relationship between the occurrence of post-seismic debris flows and characteristic rainfall patterns was studied in this paper. Fourteen rainfall events related to debris flows that occurred in four watersheds in the Wenchuan earthquake area were collected. By analyzing the rainfall data, characteristics of rainfall events that triggered debris flows after the earthquake were obtained. Both the critical maximum rainfall intensity and average rainfall intensity increased with the time. To describe the critical conditions for debris flow initiation, intensity–duration curves were constructed, which shows how the threshold for triggering debris flows increased each year. The time that the critical rainfall intensities of debris flow occurrences return to the value prior to the earthquake could not be estimated due to the absent rainfall data before the earthquake. Rainfall-triggering response patterns could be distinguished for rainfall-induced debris flows. The critical rainfall patterns related to debris flows could be divided on the basis of antecedent rainfall duration and intensity into three categories: (1) a rapid triggering response pattern, (2) an intermediate triggering response pattern, and (3) a slow triggering response pattern. The triggering response patterns are closely related to the initiation mechanisms of post-earthquake debris flows. The main difference in initiation mechanisms and difference in triggering patterns by rainfall is regulated by the infiltration process and determined by a number of parameters, such as hydro-mechanical soil characteristics, the thickness of the soil, and the slope gradient. In case of a rapid triggering response rainfall pattern, the hydraulic conductivity and initial moisture content are the main impact factors. Runoff erosion and rapid loading of solid material is the dominant process. In case of a rainfall pattern with a slow triggering response, the thickness and strength of the soil, high hydraulic conductivity, and rainfall intensity are the impact factors. Probably slope failure is the most dominant process initiating debris flows. In case of an intermediate triggering response pattern, both debris flow initiation mechanisms (runoff erosion and slope failure) can play a role.     

Recognition, classification and mechanical description of debris flows

Various types of flow or mass movement involving water and sediments occur on steep slopes in mountainous areas. Among them, debris flows are peculiar events during which a large volume of a highly concentrated viscous water-debris mixture flows through a stream channel. Throughout the world these phenomena cause considerable damage but remain poorly understood although a basic knowledge is already available concerning their recognition and propagation.

Firstly, a synthesis of the useful practical criteria of recognition is proposed. Debris flows must be seen as intermediate phenomena between hyperconcentrated flows (intense bed load transport) and landslides separated from them by sharp transitions of some characteristics (celerity, deposit nature and flow type). Two parameters, solid fraction and material type, thought to be appropriate for a sound and practical classification, are brought out, and the corresponding complete classification of flow and mass movements in mountain areas is presented. Two extreme debris flow types are thus distinguished: muddy debris flows and granular debris flows. A critical review of recent advances in debris flow dynamic is then proposed. It is pointed out that adequate work must be carried out in the field of non-Newtonian fluid mechanics. In particular, one fundamental rheological property of debris flow materials is the yield stress, which explains thick deposits on steep slopes and can be inferred from field measurements. Furthermore it can be used to estimate viscous dissipation within the bulk during flow. Relevant models predicting muddy debris flow dynamics are already available whereas further progress is needed concerning granular flows.     

西藏贡觉县泥石流灾害研究

西藏自治区贡觉县境内对居民存在影响的泥石流沟有3条，即者龙洼Ⅰ沟，者龙洼Ⅱ沟，克西林沟，均位于该县东南部的高山峡谷区。泥石流沟长度均超过2km，沟床平均纵坡降130‰，地表松散物质的厚度都在6．5m以上，其来源有所不同，克西林沟泥石流的固体物质来源于沟谷两侧的也古、拉巴滑坡堆积物；者龙洼Ⅰ、Ⅱ泥石流的固体物质来源主要为岩石风化物质及崩、坡积物。固体物质颗粒粒径分布范围很广，分布曲线均呈三峰型。说明该区泥石流中固体物质含量较高。贡觉县境内泥石流的诱发因素是降雨，为降雨型泥石流。文章根据非饱和土强度理论对贡觉县降雨型泥石流的成因机理进行了研究，提出降雨型泥石流的形成过程可以划分为2个阶段，第1个阶段为基质吸力引起的抗剪强度丧失阶段，与前期实效降雨量有关；第2个阶段为泥石流发生阶段，与短历时强降雨有关。运用上述理论方法，对降雨型泥石流的预测模型进行了探讨。建议用临界雨量线模型框架来建立贡觉县泥石流的预测模型，并依据者龙洼Ⅱ沟泥石流爆发前20d的降雨量数据进行拟合分析，结果表明：文中建议的2个临界雨量线模型框架均适于用建立贡觉县降雨型泥石流暴发的预报模型。     

甘肃舟曲特大泥石流灾害形成机制及减灾对策

2010年8月7日晚23：00左右,甘肃省甘南藏族自治州舟曲县罗家峪、三眼峪流域突然降强暴雨,在三眼峪支流和罗家峪上游形成洪流,降雨持续40min后,在两泥石流沟谷中形成特大泥石流灾害。由于其特有的峰尖谷深地形、坡体表面丰富的松散物质本质条件,在多雨季节降强暴雨诱发了本次泥石流的产生。本文从泥石流形成的潜在性、泥石流降雨诱发因素、城建开发不合理三方面分析了此次泥石流灾难的形成原因。作为泥石流频发区,可采取监测预报,加强管理以遏制人类活动,实施工程治理的综合方法减少和避免灾情的发生。     

Comprehensive hazard assessment and protection of debris flows along Jinsha River close to the Wudongde dam site in China

The occurrence of debris flows close to a hydropower dam not only threatens human lives and structures, but also affects the stability of the dam. Therefore, hazard assessment and protection of debris flows close to the dam are particular and important. In this paper, 3 S (Geographic Information System, Global Positioning System, and Remote Sensing) technologies are applied to determine the characteristics of debris flows. Characteristics that can affect debris flow assessment are classified and extracted. Based on the determined characteristics, the extension theory, which is used for solving incompatibility and contradiction problems, is applied to hazard assessment. In this paper, the idea of self-protection is proposed for debris flow gully protection. The prevention procedures are detailed, including filling of lower reaches and design of drainage works.     

Velocity and runout simulation of destructive debris flows and debris avalanches in pyroclastic deposits,Campania region,Italy

The Campanian Apennines are characterized by the presence of monocline ridges, mainly formed by limestone. During the periods of volcanic activity of the Somma-Vesuvius and Phlegrean Fields, the ridges were mantled with pyroclastic materials in varying thickness. The pyroclastics have been involved in destructive landslides both in historical time and in the recent past (1997, 1998, 1999). The landslides occur following intense and prolonged rainfalls. In some cases, landslides extended up to 4 km into the surrounding lowlands and reached towns, causing severe destruction and over 200 deaths. Generally, the landslides begin as small debris slides that develop into large, shallow debris avalanches or debris flows involving pyroclastic horizons and colluvial soils (0.5–2 m thick) on steep and vegetated slopes, often at the heads of gullies. During motion, the landslide materials eroded vegetation and soils from the slope, so that the moving material volume tended to increase. Then, proceeding towards and beyond the base of the slopes, the phenomena evolved into hyperconcentrated streamflow due to dilution by incorporating water. The results of motion analyses are described. An empirical rheological relationship was used including two principal terms that depend on the total normal stress and on the flow velocity. On this basis, the model has simulated the velocity and duration of debris avalanches and the distribution of the deposits. The selected areas were those of Sarno/Quindici and Cervinara, where a large amount of data is available both on the material properties and geomorphological setting. It was found that the majority of the cases at the two sites can be simulated successfully with only one specific pair of rheologic parameters. This provides the possibility for first-order predictions to be made of the motion of future landslides. Such predictions will be a valuable tool for outlining potential hazard areas and designing remedial measures.     

Rainfall-related debris flows in Carhuacocha Valley, Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru

Continuous heavy rainfall hit northern Peru in the second half of the 2008/2009 summer season. From the end of January to the beginning of March, the Cordillera Huayhuash experienced abnormally high precipitations that exceeded 270?mm. The antecedent rainfall, aggravated with a severe rainstorm of 20?mm on March 7 triggered a large debris flow in the upper Carhuacocha Valley early in the morning on March 8. The debris flow interrupted drainage from the upper part of the valley damming a lake in the narrow depression between the trough slope and the lateral moraine. As a result of the drainage interruption, water percolated through the moraine dam of Cangrajanca Lake where a secondary mass movement occurred in its inner slope. In September 2009, we mapped the debris flow and related landforms and estimated the total area and volume of both mass movements using geodetic measurements. About 104,000?m³ of sediments was moved from the trough slope towards the moraine from which 534,000?m³ flowed to Cangrajanca Lake subsequently. We analysed the rainfall conditions that triggered the debris flow using rainfall data from the nearby stations. We also compared the precipitation preceding the event with the rainfall thresholds for debris flow initiation.     

昆明东川城区后山泥石流特征及成因分析

东川区是云南省也是我国泥石流暴发最强烈的地区之一。其突出特点是沟谷数量多、密度大、活动频繁、破坏损失严重、防治困难,严重威胁东川城区人民生命财产安全。论文详细分析了城区后山5条泥石流沟的暴发成因和特征。其泥石流以稀性泥石流为主,重度1.5~2.0 kN/m3之间。该区泥石流之所以如此发育,主要是地质地理环境起控制作用。东川区地质构造发育、地震频繁、山体失稳、地形高差悬殊和雨量集中且暴雨强度大等,是导致本区泥石流频繁而猛烈的根本原因。而人类不合理的经济活动则对本区泥石流的发生发展起着重要的加剧、恶化作用。论文的分析不仅对决策机构制定防治措施具有借鉴意义,且对东川城区后山“五沟”泥石流的修复治理具有重要意义。     

Fluidization pipes in volcaniclastic mass flows, Volcan Hudson, Southern Chile

The presence of fluidization pipes within pyroclastic sediments has been proposed as a criterion for differentiating these volcaniclastic deposits from those of epiclastic mass flows. Observations of pipe structures within low-temperature epiclastic mudflows produced by the 1971 eruption of Volcan Hudson, Southern Chile, demonstrate that this assumption is invalid and that the presence of pipes may only be utilized to interpret the precise mechanics of the fluidization process itself.     

Deposition and diagenesis of debris flows in Upper Ordovician limestones, Hadeland, Norway

The Upper Ordovician rocks of Hadeland, Norway, form a sequence of thin bedded nodular limestones (wackestones) and shales, hosting five distinctive sedimentary breccia complexes. These breccias contain blocks of varying sizes and shapes in a wackestone and grainstone matrix. Blocks differ in lithology, and in their included biotas and cement sequences. The thin bedded limestones are interpreted as turbidites, deposited against a background of hemipelagic calcareous shales. The breccias occupy channels cut into this sequence. The lithologies and biotas of blocks in the breccias record deposition in differing sedimentary environments, whereas their cements are the results of contrasting diagenetic histories. Blocks were eroded from a diverse and mature carbonate platform, close to sea level, which probably lay 5–10 km east of Hadeland. The breccias are interpreted as debris flow deposits, transported as channellized flows. Following channel cutting events, perhaps triggered by sea level change, channels were characterized by deposition rather than erosion. Wackestones and grainstones associated with the breccias also reflect resedimentation, their less diverse biota suggesting local derivation on the slope. The reworking of calcarenaceous muds locally produced clean washed calcarenites (now grainstones). A fall in sea level resulted in emergence of the upper slope and erosion of the debris flow complex to form caverns and fissures. As sea level rose again crinoidal calcarenites, now grainstones, were deposited within these cavities. Cement sequences in blocks record early marine and burial conditions on the shelf, and also precipitation of new marine cements following downslope transport. Those cements in lithologies formed in situ document later shallowing, culminating in emergence. The localized dissolution of cements in both blocks and associated grainstones reflects the infiltration of ‘aggressive’meteoric waters through permeable channel deposits. A subsequent rise in sea level is recorded in the generation of an additional marine cement with final burial reflected in the deposition of blocky calcite. The debris flow deposits therefore maintained their distinctive character from deposition through diagenesis.     

岩屑测量在智利Henan D矿区地质勘查中的应用

在智利北部地区的地质找矿工作中,对安托法加斯塔Henan D矿区开展了岩屑粒度试验和1∶10 000岩屑地球化学测量。粒度试验表明,采集B+C层或C层-5~+40目岩屑样品能较好的反映地质特征;岩屑测量圈定了6处Cu-Au-Ag综合异常,通过槽探和钻探异常查证,发现了良好的找矿线索,该区具有找到铁氧铜金型铜矿的潜力。工作表明,在智利安托法加斯塔大区荒漠化景观区实施岩屑测量能够达到明确找矿目标、缩小找矿范围、确定找矿靶区的目的。