Rainfall–runoff–inundation analysis of the 2010 Pakistan flood in the Kabul River basin

Abstract

Pakistan has suffered a devastating flood disaster in 2010. In the Kabul River basin (92 605 km²), large-scale riverine and flash floods caused destructive damage with more than 1100 casualties. This study analysed rainfall–runoff and inundation in the Kabul River basin with a newly developed model that simulates the processes of rainfall–runoff and inundation simultaneously based on two-dimensional diffusion wave equations. The simulation results showed a good agreement with an inundation map produced based on MODIS for large-scale riverine flooding. In addition, the simulation identified flash flood-affected areas, which were confirmed to be severely damaged based on a housing damage distribution map. Since the model is designed to be used even immediately after a disaster, it can be a useful tool for analysing large-scale flooding and to provide supplemental information to agencies for relief operations.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz

Citation Sayama, T., Ozawa, G., Kawakami, T., Nabesaka, S. and Fukami, K., 2012. Rainfall–runoff–inundation analysis of the 2010 Pakistan flood in the Kabul River basin. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (2), 298–312.     

Magma discharge variations during the 2011 eruptions of Shinmoe-dake volcano, Japan, revealed by geodetic and satellite observations

We present precise geodetic and satellite observation-based estimations of the erupted volume and discharge rate of magma during the 2011 eruptions of Kirishima-Shinmoe-dake volcano, Japan. During these events, the type and intensity of eruption drastically changed within a week, with three major sub-Plinian eruptions on January 26 and 27, and a continuous lava extrusion from January 29 to 31. In response to each eruptive event, borehole-type tiltmeters detected deflation of a magma chamber caused by migration of magma to the surface. These measurements enabled us to estimate the geodetic volume change in the magma chamber caused by each eruptive event. Erupted volumes and discharge rates were constrained during lava extrusion using synthetic aperture radar satellite imaging of lava accumulation inside the summit crater. Combining the geodetic volume change and the volume of lava extrusion enabled the determination of the erupted volume and discharge rate during each sub-Plinian event. These precise estimates provide important information about magma storage conditions in magma chambers and eruption column dynamics, and indicate that the Shinmoe-dake eruptions occurred in a critical state between explosive and effusive eruption.     

影响日本佐渡岛农民实施野生动物友好型耕作的因素探究(英文)

野生动物友好型耕作(Wildlife-friendly Farming,WFF)实践是一种维持农田生态恢复的良好方式。本研究的目的在于探讨影响日本佐渡岛农民实施WFF的因素和提出影响这种实践传播的政策。对佐渡岛上把大米销售给日本农业合作社(Japan Agricultural Cooperatives,JA)的5010个农户进行了问卷调查,总共收到2231农户反馈问卷(反馈率45%)。通过与未经认证农民的态度和属性对比,我们确定了影响农民实施WFF的关键因素。与未经认证的农民相比,已认证的农民:(1)对生物多样性和WFF的经济效益表现出更高的兴趣;(2)拥有更多的已认证农民朋友;(3)感受到了来自消费者的更多的压力和期望;(4)当实施WFF时,不受恶劣劳动力或农田条件的限制。为了在佐渡岛进一步宣传WFF,我们建议把WFF实践对稻田生物多样性的有效性信息应用到公共教育中,并在非认证农民和已认证农民之间、农民与消费者之间创建交流的机会。     

Effects of acidified seawater on calcification,photosynthetic efficiencies and the recovery processes from strong light exposure in the coral Stylophora pistillata

The aim of this study was to investigate whether coral photosynthetic efficiencies and recovery processes are affected by CO₂‐driven ocean acidification in symbiont photosynthesis and coral calcification. We investigated the effects of five CO₂ partial pressure (pCO₂) levels in adjusted seawater ranging from 300 μatm (pre‐industrial) to 800 μatm (near‐future) and strong and weak light intensity on maximum photosynthetic efficiency and calcification of a branching coral, Stylophora pistillata, as this species has often been used in rearing experiments to investigate the effects of acidified seawater on calcification and photosynthetic algae of corals. We found that, the photosynthetic efficiencies and recovery patterns under different light conditions did not differ among pCO₂ treatments. Furthermore, calcification of S. pistillata was not affected by acidified seawater under weak or strong light conditions. Our results indicate that the photosynthetic efficiency and calcification of S. pistillata are insensitive to changes in ocean acidity.     

Relative displacement response spectra with pounding effect

To avoid unseating of a deck, an adequate seat width must be provided. The seat width is basically determined from maximum relative displacement between two bridge segments. Under a strong ground excitation, pounding between two decks may occur at a joint. The pounding will affect the response of two bridge segments. This research is conducted to investigate the effect of pounding on the relative displacement between two adjacent bridge segments. A simplified analytical model of two linear single‐degree‐of‐freedom systems is employed. To take into account the pounding, the laws of conservation of momentum and energy are applied. The analytical results are represented in the form of relative displacement response spectra with pounding effect. It is found that due to the pounding the relative displacement can be amplified, resulting in the requirement of a longer seat width to support a deck. The formulation of normalized relative displacement response spectra is presented together with an application example. It is found that the seat width determined from the relative displacement response spectra with pounding effect becomes close to the value specified in the Japanese design specifications for structures with large difference of natural periods. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Miocene pillowed sills in the Shimane Peninsula, SW Japan

Two Miocene basaltic andesite pillowed sills in the Shimane Peninsula, SW Japan, were intruded into wet marine sediments, plastically deforming them. The pillows are elongated, constricted, interconnected and relatively closely packed. Individual pillows have a poorly to moderately vesiculated, somewhat crystalline rind thinner than a few centimeters and a moderately to well vesiculated, more crystalline core; contraction cracks and spreading cracks are poorly developed. The pillows in the sills morphologically resemble pillow lava flows, and during sill intrusion, the magma bifurcated into pillow lobes in a manner similar to pillow lavas. Formation of pillows in sill probably occurs when the magma is intruded into wet sediments and protrudes fingers by the instability of the magma-sediment interface with little turbulence of magma flow.     

Theoretical and experimental dynamic behaviour of a curved model bridge structure

Correlations between analytical and experimental seismic responses of a curved model bridge structure, which was constructed to have the same features as a typical full-scale high curved highway bridge structure, are presented. Dynamic behaviour and seismic response of the experimental bridge model are examined with particular emphasis on the discontinuous behaviour of expansion joints. Modelling of Coulomb type friction with slippages and impacting at the expansion joints is described. Correlations of displacement response of the bridge model carried out for three seismic excitations are presented. Parameter studies conducted to assist in the interpretation of correlation results are presented and the characteristics of the dynamic behaviour of the bridge model are discussed.     

Horizontal displacements in Japan

Recent horizontal displacements in Japan are discussed by using the results of the first-order triangulation surveys. Large horizontal displacements are found in East Hokkaido, Tohoku, South Kanto, Tokai and Nankai districts (Fig.1). Crustal activity in these districts is also briefly discussed. The original triangulation survey in Japan neglected Laplace (azimuth) observations and consequently rotation and divergence around the assumed fixed point often appear as horizontal displacements. This is especially true in the central Japan where horizontal displacements result from cancelling the apparent rotation and divergence around the assumed fixed point (Fig.2).On the other hand, strain measurements avoid such shortcoming. Considering with the results of the first triangulation, the horizontal earth-strain can be calculated for every subsequent triangulation net. It is interesting that the velocity of the maximum shear strain is almost 2–3 · 10^/t7/year throughout Japan (Fig.3), even though the seismic activities show large regional discrepancies.     

Basic theory of three-dimensional landslide modeling based on the logical model of geologic structure

Dynamic visualization of landslide cross-sections is important for understanding the structure and mechanism of landslide formation. Moreover, the modeling of geologic information plays an effective role in geo-hazard assessment and their mitigation. In this study, we developed the basic theory of a three-dimensional landslide modeling and applied it to the Nigawa landslide of the Hyogo Prefecture in central Japan. The construction of this model is based on the boundary surfaces of slump blocks and geologic units, and the hierarchical relationships between these surfaces. An application algorithm was validated and the model proved efficient in depicting the nature of landslides in the Nigawa area.     

Deformation structures in shale bed indicate flow direction of overlying Miocene subaqueous pyroclastic flow

Thrusts, pinch-and-swell structures and undulations are present within a 2-m-thick layered shale bed of Miocene age that is overlain by a rhyolite subaqueous pyroclastic flow deposit 2–3 m thick. The deformation structures were caused by loading and lateral compression by the subaqueous pyroclastic flow, probably analogous to those observed in layered muds deformed by a sand mass advancing across them. Prominent thrusts strike east-west and dip south, and the crests of undulations strike east-west, indicating that the subaqeuous pyroclastic flow moved northward.