A robust quantitative method to distinguish runoff-generated debris flows from floods
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Debris flows and floods generated by rainfall runoff occur in rocky mountainous landscapes and burned steeplands. Flow type is commonly identified post-event through interpretation of depositional structures, but these may be poorly preserved or misinterpreted. Prior research indicates that discharge magnitude is commonly amplified in debris flows relative to floods due to volumetric bulking and increased frictional resistance. Here, we use this flow amplification to develop a metric (Q*) to separate debris flows from floods based on the ratio of observed peak discharge to the theoretical maximum water discharge from rainfall runoff. We compile 642 observations of floods and debris flows and demonstrate that Q* distinguishes flow type to ∼92% accuracy. Q* allows for accurate identification of debris flows through simple channel cross-section surveys rather than through qualitative interpretation of deposits, and therefore should increase the performance of models and engineered structures that require accurate flow-type observations.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | A robust quantitative method to distinguish runoff-generated debris flows from floods |
| Series title | Geophysical Research Letters |
| DOI | 10.1029/2024GL109768 |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 15 |
| Year Published | 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Contributing office(s) | Geologic Hazards Science Center - Landslides / Earthquake Geology |
| Description | e2024GL109768, 11 p. |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |