Changing debris flow activity after sudden sediment input: a case study from the Swiss Alps

Geology Today ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 216-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Baer ◽  
Christian Huggel ◽  
Brian W. McArdell ◽  
Florian Frank
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Sediment Input ◽  
Flow Activity

The geomorphic impact of large landslides: A case-study of the actively moving Alpine Gardens Landslide, Fox Glacier Valley, West Coast, New Zealand.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia de Vilder ◽  
Chris Massey ◽  
Garth Archibald ◽  
Regine Morgenstern
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Sediment Flux ◽  
Valley Floor ◽  
Aerial Imagery ◽  
Glacier Valley ◽  
Flow Activity

<p>Large landslides can result in significant geomorphic impacts to fluvial systems, via increased sediment input and subsequent changes to channel behaviour. We present a case-study of the actively moving  ̴65 M m³ Alpine Gardens Landslide in the Fox Glacier Valley, West Coast, New Zealand, to analyse the ongoing geomorphic impacts within the valley floor. Debris flows, sourced from the toe of the landslide, travel down Mill’s Creek and deposit sediment on the debris fan at its confluence with the Fox River. This debris flow activity and associated changes in sediment flux and fluvial behaviour have resulted in re-occurring damage to, and current closure of roads and tracks within the Fox Glacier Valley floor, impacting access to the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, the Fox Glacier, associated tourism, and the Fox Glacier township economy.</p><p>Initial movement of the Alpine Gardens landslide was detected in 2015, with aerial imagery analysis between March 2017 and June 2018 indicating that the landslide may be accelerating. This acceleration may potentially result in increased debris flow activity within the landslide complex and sediment flux into the Fox River. To monitor and understand the controls on movement rate, we installed a continuous GPS monitoring station along with rainfall gauges on the landslide in February 2019. On average, the landslide moves at a rate of 0.12 m/day ± 0.13 m/day, however this rate of movement of the landslide is closely correlated to and fluctuates with rainfall. Significant accelerations of 0.5 m/day have occurred after heavy rainfall, with these rainfall events also resulting in large debris flows.</p><p>We document and investigate the geomorphic impact of the Alpine Gardens landslide on the Mill’s Creek debris fan and Fox Glacier Valley floor via terrestrial laser scanning, airborne LiDAR, UAV surveys and aerial imagery. From this, we derive a time-series of nine surface change models to document the sediment flux within the Alpine Gardens Landslide and Mill’s Creek debris fan complex. Our initial results reveal that between March 2017 and June 2019, approximately 14.7 M m³ was eroded from the landslide, of which 3.7 M m³ was deposited directly on the debris fan. A further 9.6 M m³ has been transported downstream into the fluvial system. Upstream aggradation has also occurred, with 1.1 M m³ deposited in the river valley immediately upstream of the debris fan between June 2018 and June 2019. Continued monitoring of the Alpine Gardens Landslide and volumetric changes of the landslide complex allows us to understand the controls on the movement and sediment flux within the landslide and the geomorphic impact of large actively moving landslides on the valley floor, particularly within alpine and glacial environments. </p>

scholarly journals Unraveling the patterns of late Holocene debris-flow activity on a cone in the Swiss Alps: Chronology, environment and implications for the future

2008 ◽  
Vol 60 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 222-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Stoffel ◽  
Delphine Conus ◽  
Michael A. Grichting ◽  
Igor Lièvre ◽  
Gilles Maître
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Late Holocene ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
The Future ◽  
Flow Activity

scholarly journals Modeling and Classification of Alluvial Fans with DEMs and Machine Learning Methods: A Case Study of Slovenian Torrential Fans

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1711
Author(s):  
Matej Babič ◽  
Dušan Petrovič ◽  
Jošt Sodnik ◽  
Božo Soldo ◽  
Marko Komac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Alluvial Fans ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Elevation Model ◽  
Flow Activity ◽  
Geomorphometric Parameters

Alluvial (torrential) fans, especially those created from debris-flow activity, often endanger built environments and human life. It is well known that these kinds of territories where human activities are favored are characterized by increasing instability and related hydrological risk; therefore, treating the problem of its assessment and management is becoming strongly relevant. The aim of this study was to analyze and model the geomorphological aspects and the physical processes of alluvial fans in relation to the environmental characteristics of the territory for classification and prediction purposes. The main geomorphometric parameters capable of describing complex properties, such as relative fan position depending on the neighborhood, which can affect their formation or shape, or properties delineating specific parts of fans, were identified and evaluated through digital elevation model (DEM) data. Five machine learning (ML) methods, including a hybrid Euler graph ML method, were compared to analyze the geomorphometric parameters and physical characteristics of alluvial fans. The results obtained in 14 case studies of Slovenian torrential fans, validated with data of the empirical model proposed by Bertrand et al. (2013), confirm the validity of the developed method and the possibility to identify alluvial fans that can be considered as debris-flow prone.

scholarly journals Possible impacts of climate change on debris-flow activity in the Swiss Alps

2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 141-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Stoffel ◽  
Thomas Mendlik ◽  
Michelle Schneuwly-Bollschweiler ◽  
Andreas Gobiet
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Flow Activity ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Debris-flow activity along a torrent in the Swiss Alps: Minimum frequency of events and implications for forest dynamics

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annina Sorg ◽  
Harald Bugmann ◽  
Michelle Bollschweiler ◽  
Markus Stoffel
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Forest Dynamics ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Minimum Frequency ◽  
Flow Activity

scholarly journals Spatio-temporal variability in debris-flow activity: a tree-ring study at Geisstriftbach (Swiss Alps) extending back to AD 1736

2010 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Stoffel ◽  
Michelle Bollschweiler ◽  
Susanne Widmer ◽  
Annina Sorg
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Flow Activity

scholarly journals Dynamics in debris-flow activity on a forested cone — A case study using different dendroecological approaches

CATENA ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Bollschweiler ◽  
Markus Stoffel ◽  
Dominique M. Schneuwly
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Flow Activity
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