The recurrence interval of post-fire debris-flow generating rainfall in the southwestern United States
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Abstract
In the southwestern United States, post-fire debris flows commonly initiate during short bursts of intense rainfall. To date, the frequency of the rainfall rates has not been quantified. Here, we combine an existing database of debris-flow occurrences and corresponding peak storm intensities with a geospatial library of rainfall recurrence interval (RI) information and climate type to determine the distribution of the estimated frequencies of the rainfall associated with 316 observed post-fire debris flows in the southwestern United States. Our results indicate that a majority (77%) of the observed debris flows were triggered by rainfall intensities with RI less than 2 years. Climatic and geographic differences in RI were evident in our analysis. Debris flows in most of the analyzed climates within California, Colorado, and New Mexico were primarily associated with 1-year or less RI intensities, whereas debris flows in arid portions of Arizona, Colorado, and Utah tended to be generated during storms greater than 2-year RI. Event consequence, as defined by the impact on downstream communities and infrastructure, was not directly related to RI, as very destructive debris flows were initiated at a wide range of RI intensities. Our results highlight that post-fire debris-flow initiation can be expected during common rainstorms in the southwestern United States, therefore emergency management plans and risk mitigation efforts must focus on both extreme and frequent rainstorms.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | The recurrence interval of post-fire debris-flow generating rainfall in the southwestern United States |
| Series title | Geomorphology |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107392 |
| Volume | 370 |
| Year Published | 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Geologic Hazards Science Center |
| Description | 107392, 10 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |