Rainfall induced debris flows in pyroclastic deposits, Campania (southern Italy)

A combination of empirical and physically based hydrological models has been used to analyze historical data on rainfall and debris-flow occurrence in western Campania, to examine the correlation between rainfall and debris-flow events.

Rainfall data from major storms recorded in recent decades in western Campania were compiled, including daily series from several rain gauges located inside landslide areas, supplemented by hourly rainfall data from some of the principal storms.

A two-phase approach is proposed. During phase 1, soil moisture levels have been modelled as the hydrological balance between precipitation and evapotranspiration, on a daily scale, using the method of Thornthwaite [Geograph. Rev. 38 (1948) 55].

Phase 2 is related to the accumulation of surplus moisture from intense rainfall, leading to the development of positive pore pressures. These interactions take place on an hourly time scale by the “leaky barrel” (LB) model described by Wilson and Wiezoreck [Env. Eng. Geoscience, 1 (1995) 11]. In combination with hourly rainfall records, the LB model has been used to compare hydrological effects of different storms. The critical level of retained rain water has been fixed by the timing of debris-flow activity, related to recorded storm events.

New rainfall intensity–duration thresholds for debris-flow initiation in western Campania are proposed. These thresholds are related to individual rain gauge and assume a previously satisfied field capacity condition. The new thresholds are somewhat higher than those plotted by previous authors, but are thought to be more accurate and thus need less conservatism.     

A size classification for debris flows

A 10-fold classification for debris flow size is proposed based on total volume, peak discharge and area inundated by debris. Size classes can be used for regional overview studies where detailed site investigations are either unnecessary, too costly or where the highest hazard and risk creeks need to be identified for further study. They are also useful to compare the regional impact between affected areas and the effects of rainstorms, and they allow lay-people to obtain an understanding of debris flow magnitude and consequences. Finally, different size classes allow the estimation of travel times to points of interest based on empirically derived equations. It is proposed that agencies concerned with debris flows should establish a documentation of debris flow size according to this classification, which serves as a data base for hazard and risk planning.     

Temporal and spatial variations in water flow and sediment load in Narmada River Basin, India: natural and man-made factors

The Narmada River flows through the Deccan volcanics and transports water and sediments to the adjacent Arabian Sea. In a first-ever attempt, spatial and temporal (annual, seasonal, monthly and daily) variations in water discharge and sediment loads of Narmada River and its tributaries and the probable causes for these variations are discussed. The study has been carried out with data from twenty-two years of daily water discharge at nineteen locations and sediment concentrations data at fourteen locations in the entire Narmada River Basin. Water flow in the river is a major factor influencing sediment loads in the river. The monsoon season, which accounts for 85 to 95% of total annual rainfall in the basin, is the main source of water flow in the river. Almost 85 to 98% of annual sediment loads in the river are transported during the monsoon season (June to November). The average annual sediment flux to the Arabian Sea at Garudeshwar (farthest downstream location) is 34.29×10⁶ t year⁻¹ with a water discharge of 23.57 km³ year⁻¹. These numbers are the latest and revised estimates for Narmada River. Water flow in the river is influenced by rainfall, catchment area and groundwater inputs, whereas rainfall intensity, geology/soil characteristics of the catchment area and presence of reservoirs/dams play a major role in sediment discharge. The largest dam in the basin, namely Sardar Sarovar Dam, traps almost 60–80% of sediments carried by the river before it reaches the Arabian Sea.     

基于兰利法的泥石流临界雨量实验研究

分析了目前泥石流临界雨量确定常用方法存在的问题 ,以及泥石流临界雨量实验研究中实验降雨量确定的随意性和盲目性 ,提出以兰利 ( Langlie)法为指导进行实验 ,使实验降雨量的确定有了理论依据 ,减少了取得可靠实验结果所需实验次数 ,从而使泥石流临界雨量实验研究更趋完善和可行     

Sedimentary macro-structures and forming mechanism of debris flow

IIWr~IOWThesedimentarycharacteristicsofdebrisflowcanreflectthecompoSition,fluidtypeandsedimentaryprocess.ThescholarswhostudymoderndebrisfloWinChinagenerallyclassifydebrisflowbythemethodofviscositywithfloWpattern.SeveraltypicalschemesareshowninTable1,inwhichthemethodofunitweight(fluiddensityinunitvolumet/m3)isusedandfluidunitweightisthoughttobethedirectproPOSitiontotheviscosityofdebrisflow(Wu,1990).Ithasbeenprovedbyhydrcrmechacsthatnon-cohesivedebrisf1OwfollowsBagnoldgranular'flowmedel(B…     

Mechanism of collision model for bedload transport

The current study introduces a new particle–particle collision model as well as a classical particle–wall collision model to simulate the process of bedload transport. Large eddy simulation and two-way coupling Lagrangian point–particle models also are applied. Flow conditions for all simulations are done based on previous experiments and four comparison cases are studied. The bedload function result obtained using this model agrees with the previous studies, which proves that the model is reasonable and effective in dealing with bedload transport in turbulent flow. Otherwise, failure to consider the particle–particle collision, Basset force, or Saffman lift force in the model lead to underestimating the bedload transport rate.     

1948～2004年全球越赤道气流气候变化

利用1948年1月～2004年12月逐月NCEP/NCAR的全球1000 hPa、850 hPa、700 hPa、600 hPa、500 hPa、400 hPa、300 hPa、200 hPa、150 hPa、100 hPa的10层经向格点风,计算了全球越赤道气流和年变化,分析了全球850 hPa越赤道气流通道的时、空变化特征。指出在研究的时间段内,全球850 hPa越赤道气流有明显的长期趋势变化和年代际变化。近57年,6～8月的45～50°E、5～9月的105～115°E、5～9月和5～11月的130～140°E、2～4月的20～25°E的越赤道气流有明显的加强,6～8月的50～35°W的越赤道气流减弱。夏季索马里的越赤道气流,平均每10年增强0.25 m/s,而130～140°E,5～9月的越赤道气流,平均每10年增强0.32 m/s。奇异谱分析表明,850 hPa越赤道气流的年代际变化和趋势变化的方差贡献达到35%～45%。年际变化的方差贡献不超过30%,还指出夏季太平洋的越赤道气流的强度变化与南方涛动有明显关系,弱南方涛动时,有强的越赤道气流。而索马里急流强度与北大西洋涛动有弱的正相关。