A GIS Process for Delimitating Areas Potentially Endangered by Debris Flow

A GIS rules-based approach is proposed for delimiting areas potentially endangered by debris flow for downstream guarded areas. Data were used to define rules for nine pilot areas in the Chen-You-Lan river watershed in Nantou County of Taiwan. A preliminary regressed relationship between debris volume and runout distance in the pilot areas is first formulated. The GIS processes for applying the rules are linked to delimit hazardous areas affected by debris within the first approximated debris fan. Rules applied to delimit potentially endangered areas incorporate geomorphological factors (gradient or curvature, aspect), direction of flow, fan angle of the debris and location of the overflow points. The delimited zone is then calibrated using the regression formula for debris volume against the affected area. The verification of the delineation of the areas using the adopted approach, with reference to micro-geomorphological results concerning pilot cases validates the proposed model. The model can be used to delineate potentially hazardous zones approximately associated with debris flow in rivers in Taiwan.