A novel approach for quantifying similarities between different debris flow sites using field investigations and numerical modelling

Terra Nova, vol. 36, pp. 138–147

Abstract

Abstract Debris flows are geomorphological processes that affect the landscape evolution process of any region. In this study, an integrated methodology is proposed to identify the chance of further debris flows and quantify the similarities between debris flow locations, materials and rheology, using field and laboratory investigations and remote sensing data. The method was tested for four failure‐triggered debris flow sites in the Western Ghats of India, using dimensionless parametric similarity values ranging from 0 to 1. The maximum parametric similarity was observed as 0.84 when comparing the flow accumulation values of Sites 3 and 4, and the maximum overall site similarity was 0.68. The calibrated rheological parameters of one site were found to be satisfactory in modelling the shape of debris flow at all other sites. The findings can be used to identify similar hotspots in the region and to simulate debris flows for quantitative hazard assessment.

Authors 3

1. Minu Treesa Abraham Aachen Methods for Model–based Development in Computational Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University · Indian Institute of Technology Indore

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Civil Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Indore Indore India

   Methods for Model‐based Development in Computational Engineering RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany

   Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India

   Methods for Model-based Development in Computational Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Neelima D. Satyam

   Indian Institute of Technology Indore

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Civil Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Indore Indore India

   Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India

3. Biswajeet Pradhan corresponding

   University of Technology Sydney · National University of Malaysia

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre for Advanced Modelling and Geospatial Information Systems (CAMGIS), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Technology Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia

   Earth Observation Centre, Institute of Climate Change Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Bangi Malaysia

   Centre for Advanced Modelling and Geospatial Information Systems (CAMGIS), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

   Earth Observation Centre, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia