Densmore Alexander L.
Debris-Flow erosion and deposition dynamics
Project Number: CH-4842
Research Areas:
Disciplines:
Keywords:
Illgraben, debris flow, terrestrial laser scanning, change detection, uncertainty, reduced-complexity model, rock avalanches
Abstract:
Debris flows are a major natural hazard in mountains world wide, because of their destructive potential. Prediction of occurrence, magnitude and travel distance is still a scientific challenge, and thus research into the mechanics of debris flows is still needed. Poor understanding of the processes of erosion and deposition are partly responsible for the difficulties in predicting debrisflow magnitude and travel distance. Even less is known about the long-term evolution of debrisflow fans because the sequential effects of debris-flow erosion and deposition in thousands of flows are poorly documented and hence models to simulate debris-flow fans do not exist. Here I address the specific issues of the dynamics of erosion and deposition in single flows and over multiple flows on debris-flow fans by terrain analysis, channel monitoring and fan evolution modeling.
I documented erosion and deposition dynamics of debris flows at fan scale using the Illgraben debris-flow fan, Switzerland, as an example. Debris flow activity over the past three millenia in the Illgraben catchment in south-western Switzerland was documented by geomorphic mapping, radiocarbon dating of wood and cosmogenic exposure dating of deposits. In this specific case I also documented the disturbance induced by two rock avalanches in the catchment resulting in distinct patterns of deposition on the fan surface. Implications of human intervention and the significance of autogenic forcing of the fan system are also discussed.
Quantification and understanding of erosion and deposition dynamics in debris flows at channel scale hinges on the ability to detect surface change. But change detection is a fundamental task in geomorphology in general. Terrestrial laser scanners are increasingly used for monitoring down to centimeter scale of surface change resulting from a variety of geomorphic processes, as they allow the rapid generation of high resolution digital elevation models. In this thesis procedures were developed to measure surface change in complex topography such as a debris-flow channel. From this data high-resolution digital elevation models were generated. But data from laser scanning contains ambiguous elevation information originating from point cloud matching, surface roughness and erroneous measurments. This affects the ability to detect change, and results in spatially variable uncertainties. I hence developed techniques to visualize and quantify these uncertainties for the specific application of change detection. I demonstrated that use of data filters (e.g. minimum height filter) on laser scanner data introduces systematic bias in change detection. Measurement of debris-flow erosion and deposition in single events was performed at Illgraben, where multiple debris flows are recorded every year. I applied terrestrial laser scanning and flow hydrograph analysis to quantify erosion and deposition in a series of debris flows. Flow depth was identified as an important control on the pattern and magnitude of erosion, whereas deposition is governed more by the geometry of flow margins. The relationship between flow depth and erosion is visible both at the reach scale and at the scale of the entire fan. Maximum flow depth is a function of debris flow front discharge and pre-flow channel cross section geometry, and this dual control gives rise to complex interactions with implications for long-term channel stability, the use of fan stratigraphy for reconstruction of past debris flow regimes, and the predictability of debris flow hazards.
Debris-flow fan evolution on time scales of decades up to ten thousands of years is poorly understood because the cumulative effects of erosion and deposition in subsequent events are rarely well documented and suitable numerical models are lacking. Enhancing this understanding is crucial to assess the role of autogenic (internal) and allogenic (external) forcing mechanisms on building debris-flow fans over long time scales. On short time scales understanding fan evolution is important for debris-flow hazard assessment. I propose a 2D reduced-complexity model to assess debris-flow fan evolution. The model is built on a broad range of qualitative and empirical observations on debris-flow behaviour as well as on monitoring data acquired at Illgraben as part of this thesis. I have formulated a framework of rules that govern debris-flow behaviour, and that allows efficient implementation in a numerical simulation. The model is shown to replicate the general behaviour of alluvial fans in nature and in flume experiments. In three applications it is demonstrated how fan evolution modeling may improve understanding of inundation patterns, surface age distribution and surface morphology.
Leading questions:
How can the dynamics of debris-flow erosion and deposition be documented at the scale of an alluvial fan; what can be learned from the pattern of deposits and channels on a debris-flow fan with regard to the evolution of the fan?How can debris-flow erosion and deposition be measured in sufficient spatial and temporal resolution to allow for a meaningful analysis of the underlying processes? What are the optimal field procedures to measure geomorphic change in debris-flow channels?Can a robust proxy for the prediction of erosion and deposition in debris flows be established?Can this proxy be used to formulate a model for debris-flow fan evolution? How can observations on the behaviour of single flows be implemented to simulate thousands of debris flows?What are the implications for fan evolution under the assumptions of the proposed model? How can the interaction of individual flows with the fan environment be understood as the result of repeated erosion and deposition in thousands of flows?
URL: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/3395/2/thesis_schuerch_20111208.pdf?DDD14+
Publications:
Schuerch. Peter. 2011 Debris-flow erosion and deposition dynamics. Durham theses, Durham University.
pdf Thesis
Last update: 7/18/17
Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
Update the data of project: CH-4842
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