An empirical approach for evaluation of the potential of debris flow occurrence in mountainous areas

Debris flows can occur relatively suddenly and quickly in mountainous areas, resulting in major structural damage and loss of life. The establishment of a model to evaluate the occurrence probability of debris flows in mountainous areas is therefore of great value. The influence factors of debris flows are very complex; they can basically be divided into background factors and triggering factors. Background factors include the mechanical characteristics of geo-materials, topography and landscape, and soil vegetation; and triggering factors include hydrological and rainfall conditions, and human activities. By assessing the dynamic characteristics of debris flows in mountainous areas, some important influence factors are selected here for analysis of their impacts on the occurrence probability of debris flow. A mathematical model for evaluation of the occurrence probability of debris flows is presented and combined with probability analysis. Matlab software is used for the numerical implementation of the forecasting model, and the influences of rainfall, lithology and terrain conditions on the occurrence probability of debris flows are analyzed. Finally, the presented model is applied to forecast the occurrence probability of debris flows in the mountainous area around Qingping Town; the simulation results show that many loose landslide deposits and heavy rainfall are the key factors likely to trigger debris flows in this region.     

沟床起动型泥石流的10 min降雨预报模型

针对沟床起动型泥石流的诱发因素为高强度短历时的降雨,提出10 min降雨强度是这类泥石流暴发的关键。在1 h预报模型的基础上,基于云南蒋家沟的多年泥石流观测资料,修正了1 h预报模型的降雨参数,并得到了10 min降雨预报模型。10 min降雨预报模型在中国西部的其他流域,如云南浑水沟、贵州望谟县打易区域泥石流沟、四川三滩沟、四川雅安陆王沟和干溪沟、甘肃柳湾沟、甘肃马槽沟等流域的验证中,取得了较好的结果。10 min降雨预报模型是部分建立在泥石流的形成机理上的模型,并不是完全的统计模型,因此该模型也可以用于其他地区的沟床起动类型泥石流预报。     

Rainfall-triggering response patterns of post-seismic debris flows in the Wenchuan earthquake area

Several giant debris flows occurred in southwestern China after the Wenchuan earthquake, causing serious casualties and economic losses. Debris flows were frequently triggered after the earthquake. A relatively accurate prediction of these post-seismic debris flows can help to reduce the consequent damages. Existing debris flow prediction is almost based on the study of the relationship between post-earthquake debris flows and rainfall. The relationship between the occurrence of post-seismic debris flows and characteristic rainfall patterns was studied in this paper. Fourteen rainfall events related to debris flows that occurred in four watersheds in the Wenchuan earthquake area were collected. By analyzing the rainfall data, characteristics of rainfall events that triggered debris flows after the earthquake were obtained. Both the critical maximum rainfall intensity and average rainfall intensity increased with the time. To describe the critical conditions for debris flow initiation, intensity–duration curves were constructed, which shows how the threshold for triggering debris flows increased each year. The time that the critical rainfall intensities of debris flow occurrences return to the value prior to the earthquake could not be estimated due to the absent rainfall data before the earthquake. Rainfall-triggering response patterns could be distinguished for rainfall-induced debris flows. The critical rainfall patterns related to debris flows could be divided on the basis of antecedent rainfall duration and intensity into three categories: (1) a rapid triggering response pattern, (2) an intermediate triggering response pattern, and (3) a slow triggering response pattern. The triggering response patterns are closely related to the initiation mechanisms of post-earthquake debris flows. The main difference in initiation mechanisms and difference in triggering patterns by rainfall is regulated by the infiltration process and determined by a number of parameters, such as hydro-mechanical soil characteristics, the thickness of the soil, and the slope gradient. In case of a rapid triggering response rainfall pattern, the hydraulic conductivity and initial moisture content are the main impact factors. Runoff erosion and rapid loading of solid material is the dominant process. In case of a rainfall pattern with a slow triggering response, the thickness and strength of the soil, high hydraulic conductivity, and rainfall intensity are the impact factors. Probably slope failure is the most dominant process initiating debris flows. In case of an intermediate triggering response pattern, both debris flow initiation mechanisms (runoff erosion and slope failure) can play a role.     

浅层滑坡诱发沟谷泥石流的地形和降雨条件

2011年贵州省望谟县打易镇的大范围浅层滑坡诱发的沟谷泥石流提供了研究这类泥石流地形和降雨条件的机会。在地质条件一致和小区域内的降雨条件基本一致的情况下,地形条件就是这些泥石流暴发与否的唯一决定因素。对比一些重要的地形因素与泥石流暴发的关系,得出了由流域面积、沟床纵比降和25°~45°山坡坡度面积比组成的泥石流综合地形因子T。在地形因子T的基础上,研究获得了由前期降雨量、1 h降雨强度、年平均降雨量等组成的降雨因子R。由地形因子T和降雨因子R获得的临界条件P可以判断该区域的泥石流暴发。由于研究工作部分基于泥石流的形成机理,研究成果还可用于其他区域的泥石流形成预测,为泥石流的预测预报提供了一个较好的方法。     

沟床起动型泥石流预报研究

贵州省望谟县2011年6月6日暴发了特大山洪泥石流,其中暴雨中心所在的打易镇多处暴发泥石流。短历时强降雨激发了沟床起动类型的泥石流。本文通过对贵州望谟河流域群发泥石流的调查,得出该流域的66条沟中,22条沟无沟床起动类型泥石流暴发,25条沟暴发沟床起动类型泥石流,还有19条沟无法确定是否有沟床起动类型泥石流暴发。在前期工作基础上,提出了地质条件和降水条件因子的改进方法;并在前期工作的3大条件（地形条件、地质条件和降水条件）之间的关系基础上,由贵州望谟群发泥石流数据得出改进沟床起动类型泥石流的临界值,提出了泥石流的预报模型。本文模型在我国西南地区的泥石流验证中非常成功,为泥石流的预报提供了一个新方法。预报模型中的地形因子和地质因子还可以判断泥石流流域的暴发频率,为正确地判断泥石流流域的特征打下了基础。预报模型也可以估算泥石流的暴发规模,为定量地预测泥石流危害范围提供了依据。     

A prediction model for debris flows triggered by a runoff-induced mechanism

Many debris flows were triggered within and also outside the Dayi area of the Guizhou Province, China, during a rainstorm in 2011. High-intensity short-duration rainfall was the main triggering factor for these gully-type debris flows which are probably triggered by a runoff-induced mechanism. A revised prediction model was introduced for this kind of gully-type debris flows with factors related to topography, geology, and hydrology (rainfall) and applied to the Wangmo River catchment. Regarding the geological factor, the “soft lithology” and “loose sediments” in the channel were added to the list of the average firmness coefficient for the lithology. Also, the chemical weathering was taken into account for the revised geological factor. Concerning the hydrological factor, a coefficient of variation of rainfall was introduced for the normalization of the rainfall factor. The prediction model for debris flows proposed in this paper delivered three classes of the probability of debris flow occurrence. The model was successfully validated in debris flow gullies with the same initiation mechanism in other areas of southwest China. The generic character of the model is explained by the fact that its factors are partly based on the initiation mechanisms and not only on the statistical analyses of a unique variety of local factors. The research provides a new way to predict the occurrence of debris flows initiated by a runoff-induced mechanism.     

汶川震区暴雨泥石流激发雨量特征

利用搜集的汶川震区典型泥石流暴发前后的降雨过程资料,分析了泥石流的激发雨量过程,获得了汶川震区的泥石流激发雨量特征,以期为泥石流的预测预报提供依据。结果表明,汶川地震区的泥石流激发雨型可分为快速激发型、中速激发型和慢速激发型3类,其差异主要体现在降雨的持续时间和强度方面。不同激发雨型下的泥石流形成过程的差别主要体现在松散土体饱和过程。雨型的差异(降雨的持续时间和强度)使得土体饱和产生超渗产流的时间出现差异,进而使得泥石流暴发的时间存在差异。激发雨强跟激发雨型存在一定的关系,激发雨强最大者为中速激发雨型,其次是慢速激发雨型,最小者为快速激发雨型。与地震之前相比,地震后的泥石流暴发时的累积雨量和临界雨量都有所降低。     

Recent catastrophic debris flows in Luding county, SW China: geological hazards, rainfall analysis and dynamic characteristics

About 127 debris flow gullies have been identified, and debris flows have been an important type of geological hazards in Luding County, affecting cities, towns, rural areas, scenic spots and human’s engineering projects, such as mining and waterpower utilizing equipments. In this summary paper, recent two catastrophic debris flow events occurred on June 30, 2005, in Chuni town, in the central of the county, and on August 11, 2005, in Hailuogou scenic spot, in the southwest of the county, respectively, are reviewed. The debris flow events are introduced on the basis of field investigation and RS interpretation and the triggering factors for flow occurrence are identified. Furthermore, the rainfall related to flow occurrence including antecedent rainfall and intraday rainfall is analyzed, and a power-law function which can be used as a basic warning line is established based on both antecedent effective rainfall and intraday rainfall. Then dynamic parameters such as flow velocity and flow discharge are calculated, respectively. Through comparison and discussion, some conclusions are made including (1) The antecedent rainfall played an important role for debris flows which generated predominately based on the slope-instability due to the saturated loose sediments; (2) Despite slower flow velocity and smaller magnitude, the slope-type debris flows just like 2005-6-30 debris flows usually lead to serious damages for the difficulty to forecast and to prevent; (3) The mistaken recognition on debris flow hazards and lack of prevention consciousness strengthen the hazard and damage degree. This research is of certain significance for the prevention and mitigation of debris flow hazards and for the planning of the town building and tourism development in the future.     

甘肃省白龙江流域降雨型潜在泥石流危险性预报模型

【研究目的】泥石流灾害是白龙江流域分布广泛并常引起群死群伤的重大地质灾害,准确评价泥石流活动规模及其危险度,是泥石流危险性预警预报的前提,合理构建危险性预报模型是泥石流防灾减灾的关键。【研究方法】本文以研究区历史泥石流案例和对应降雨资料为基础数据,采用统计分析方法,通过分析形成泥石流关键地质环境条件及其相互关系,构建了白龙江流域潜在泥石流危险度定量评价模型,提出了两类泥石流危险级别临界判别模式。【研究结果】结果表明：（1）以泥石流活动规模、沟床平均比降、流域切割密度、不稳定沟床比例为判断因子的泥石流危险度动态定量计算模型,能快速准确预测未来不同工程情景和降雨频率工况下泥石流危险度;（2）影响降雨型泥石流发生的地形条件由流域面积、10°~40°斜坡坡度面积比、沟床平均纵比降等组成,降雨条件主要由泥石流爆发前的24 h累积降雨量、触发泥石流1 h降雨量或10 min降雨量等组成;（3）依据30条典型泥石流沟危险度计算结果,获得泥石流危险性临界判别值,提出了降雨型潜在泥石流危险性1 h预报模型（Ⅰ类）和10 min预报模型（Ⅱ类）,其中Ⅰ类模型高危险度以上泥石流预测精度大于87.5%,Ⅱ类模型中等危险度以上泥石流预测精度大于80%,而两类预报模型验证准确率为83.3%。【结论】研究成果为泥石流精准预警预报提供了技术支撑,对建立中小尺度泥石流实时化预警系统具有一定参考意义。创新点：通过确定与泥石流相对应关键地质环境因子,构建了泥石流危险度动态定量评价模型,依据泥石流危险性1 h和10 min临界判别模式可准确实现潜在泥石流预警预报。     

Rainfall duration and debris-flow initiated studies for real-time monitoring

A rainfall-induced debris flow warning is implemented employing real-time rain gauge data. The pre-warning for the time of landslide triggering derives the threshold or critical rainfall from historical events involving regional rainfall patterns and geological conditions. In cases of debris flow, the time taken cumulative runoff, to yield abundant water for debris triggering, is an important index that needs monitoring. In gathered historical cases, rainfall time history data from the nearest rain gauge stations to debris-flow sites connected to debris flow are used to define relationships between the rainfall intensity and duration. The effects by which the regional rainfall patterns (antecedent rainfall, duration, intensity, cumulative rainfall) and geological settings combine together to trigger a debris-flow are analyzed for real-time monitoring. The analyses focused on 61 historical hazard events with the timing of debris flow initiation and rainfall duration to burst debris-flow characteristics recorded. A combination of averaged rainfall intensity and duration is a more practical index for debris-flow monitoring than critical or threshold rainfall intensity. Because, the outburst timing of debris flows correlates closely to the peak hourly rainfall and the forecasting of peak hourly rainfall reached in a meteorological event could be a valuable index for real-time debris-flow warning.     

暴雨型泥石流预警模型初步研究

2010年8月13日四川都江堰市龙池地区暴发了特大规模的群发性暴雨型泥石流过程,给龙池地区的震后恢复重建带来了巨大的灾难,因此,研究该区泥石流发生机理和预警十分必要。本文在总结前人关于泥石流暴发与降雨条件研究成果基础上,发现泥石流物源含水量及地表径流流深等是导致流域内松散物源启动的主要原因。根据其前期降雨量和有效降雨强度等特征,建立了泥石流流域物源土体颗粒个别启动、局部启动和大量启动的判别式,建立了适合该区域暴雨泥石流预警模型,将可能诱发泥石流暴发的不同降雨条件划分为蓝、黄和红色3个危险等级,为该区泥石流监测预警提供了科学依据。     

坡面泥石流降雨预报模型

中国东部地区的地质灾害多以坡面泥石流的形式发生,预测预报坡面泥石流的发生对于开展防灾减灾具有重要意义。地形、地质和降雨三大条件是影响坡面泥石流发生的主要条件。通过选择同样地质条件和基本相同降雨条件的区域,研究影响坡面泥石流发生的地形条件,并得出可以用于坡面泥石流预报的坡面泥石流地形条件。结果表明:地形条件由坡面坡度因子、泥石流上部因子、泥石流侧面因子和临空面因子组成;较大的地形条件T对应较大的泥石流发生可能性;降雨条件由泥石流发生前的降雨量与1 h降雨量组成;得出了由地形条件T和降雨条件R组成的坡面泥石流预报条件P,P值越大,坡面泥石流发生的可能性越大。预报条件P可以预报坡面泥石流的发生。     

Improving debris flow monitoring in Taiwan by using high-resolution rainfall products from QPESUMS

Debris flow is commonly initiated by torrential rain and its triggering is correlated to the hydrological, geological, and geomorphic conditions on site. In spite of the important effects of geology and topography, rainfall characteristic is the main external triggering factor to debris flow and is a predominant parameter for real-time monitoring. Due to the scarcity of sufficient spatial ground-based rainfall data in hill areas, quantitative precipitation estimation using remote-sensing techniques such as radar and satellite is needed for debris flow pre-warning. The QPESUMS (Quantitative Precipitation Estimation and Segregation Using Multiple Sensors) system was acquired to retrieve spatial rainfall data during the rainfall period from June 30 to July 6 in 2004 when Typhoon Mindulle and southwesterly flow struck Taiwan. The retrieved data were used for setting up the debris flow monitoring algorithm. With the aid of multiple platforms of meteorological observations, a rainfall threshold isohyet in a pilot area was mapped for debris flow monitoring. The rainfall monitoring algorithm based on QPESUMS provides more detailed information than the limited number of ground-based rainfall stations for interpreting the spatial distributions of rainfall events, and therefore is more suitable for debris-flow monitoring.     

An integrated model to assess critical rainfall thresholds for run-out distances of debris flows

A dramatic increase in debris flows occurred in the years after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in SW China due to the deposition of loose co-seismic landslide material. This paper proposes a preliminary integrated model, which describes the relationship between rain input and debris flow run-out in order to establish critical rain thresholds for mobilizing enough debris volume to reach the basin outlet. The model integrates in a simple way rainfall, surface runoff, and concentrated erosion of the loose material deposited in channels, propagation, and deposition of flow material. The model could be calibrated on total volumes of debris flow materials deposited at the outlet of the Shuida catchment during two successive rain events which occurred in August 2011. The calibrated model was used to construct critical rainfall intensity-duration graphs defining thresholds for a run-out distance until the outlet of the catchment. Model simulations show that threshold values increase after successive rain events due to a decrease in erodible material. The constructed rainfall intensity-duration threshold graphs for the Shuida catchment based on the current situation appeared to have basically the same exponential value as a threshold graph for debris flow occurrences, constructed for the Wenjia catchment on the basis of 5 observed triggering rain events. This may indicate that the triggering mechanism by intensive run-off erosion in channels in this catchment is the same. The model did not account for a supply of extra loose material by landslips transforming into debris flow or reaching the channels for transportation by run-off. In August 2012, two severe rain events were measured in the Shuida catchment, which did not produce debris flows. This could be confirmed by the threshold diagram constructed by the model.     

Shallow landslides triggered by rainfalls: modeling of some case histories in the Reggiano Apennine (Emilia Romagna Region, Northern Italy)

On April 10–11, 2005, the Emilia Romagna Apennine was affected by an intense rainfall event that triggered dozens of soil slips in the Province of Reggio Emilia. These shallow landslides occurred mainly on slopes of cultivated lands, often blocking roads, causing damages to crops and economic loss. Based on the analysis of an inventory of aerial photographs, it was possible to locate 45 sites where soil slips have occurred. In this paper, the area of study is described from a geological and climatic point of view. The authors analyze both the predisposing factors, related to the morphology of the territory, and the phenomena triggering factors, related to the rain trend. Once the geometrical features and characteristics of the soil slopes were available, a physically based triggering model, recently developed by the authors, was locally applied at each site. The model, which is based on the limit equilibrium method and on the hypothesis of infinite slope, is briefly described. It assumes a partial saturation condition of the soil and provides the safety factor of each slope as a function of time-variable rainfall intensity. The choice of the input parameters of the model is explained in detail. It is underlined, in particular, how the only parameter that has been determined through a procedure of back analysis, i.e., the discharge capability, is comparable to the typical permeability values obtained through field measurements by other authors, for similar kinds of soils and conditions. In this article, the results of the application of our model to the study areas, within a three-year time frame, are presented. Furthermore, on the basis of the analysis carried out, some observations on the operating mode of the model are carried out and its ability to predict a phenomenon triggering is evaluated.     

基于遗传规划的泥石流多因子融合预测方法

泥石流是一种多发的地质灾害,常对人民生命财产安全带来极大的威胁,其暴发不仅与降雨有关,还与众多地质环境因子相关。本文以流域面积、松散物质比率、沟床平均坡度为地质因子,以最大小时雨强（T）和总降雨量（R）的乘积作为降雨指数,在获取的泥石流地质因子和降雨指数因子综合样本库的基础上,采用遗传规划法建立了泥石流临界降雨指数智能预测模型,克服了以往以雨量为单一指标的预警模型的弊端,模型验证结果显示,泥石流预测精度高、适应性强。     

Regionalization of rainfall thresholds: an aid to landslide hazard evaluation

 Rainfall, soil properties, and morphology are major factors controlling shallow landsliding. A series of meteorological events that triggered soil slips in northern Italy were studied to define rainfall thresholds and to evaluate a possible regionalization. Soil properties, triggering rainfall, and local lithological and morphometrical settings of different sites were used as input to an infiltration model. The approach allows the recognition of several triggering conditions in the Piedmont, Pre-Alpine and Alpine regions. This suggests the need for different rainfall thresholds with respect to those derived with other methods. Intensity versus rainfall duration relationships become particularly important when related to soil permeability and thickness, and demonstrate the role of antecedent precipitation. Events with exceptional water discharge from obstructed road culverts reveal the role played by anthropic structures in triggering such phenomena. Different approaches to slope stability analysis are shown, taking into account bedrock lithology, topography, seepage, and local saturation conditions. Received: 23 October 1997 · Accepted: 25 June 1997     

Factor of safety in a partially saturated slope inferred from hydro‐mechanical continuum modeling

Rainfall weakens an earth slope and triggers mass movement. Relevant triggering mechanisms are complex and include reduction of capillary pressure due to increased saturation and frictional drag on the sediment induced by fluid flow. Physics‐based continuum models utilizing modern computational tools are useful for understanding the mechanisms of deformation in partially saturated slopes; however, they do not provide a scalar indicator called ‘factor of safety’ that measures the potential of a given slope for mass movement. In the present work, we employ sequential calculations consisting of a physics‐based finite element model that couples solid deformation with fluid flow to quantify the stress and deformation fields in a steep hillside slope subjected to rainfall infiltration. This is followed by a limit‐equilibrium calculation based on the method of slices that evaluates the desired factor of safety. The field condition investigated is similar to the steep experimental catchment CB1 near Coos Bay, Oregon, which failed as a large debris flow from heavy rainfall. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Estimation of rainfall thresholds triggering shallow landslides for an operational warning system implementation

The Piemonte regional warning system service, managed by the Environmental Protection Agency of Piemonte (“ARPA Piemonte” as official Italian acronym), is based on an advanced meteo-hydrological automatic monitoring system, and it is integrated with forecasting activities of severe weather-related natural hazards. At present, a meteo-hydrological chain is operated to provide flood forecasting on the main river pattern. The development of a forecasting tool for shallow landslides triggered by heavy rainfall is presented. Due to the difficulties in modelling shallow landslides triggering in a large and complex area like the Piemonte region, an empirical model is developed on the basis of the correlation between rainfall and previous landslides in historical documents. The research focuses on establishing rainfall thresholds for landslides triggering, differentiating the critical rainfall values through a geological characterisation of the different territories. The period from 1990 to 2002 is considered. A total number of 160 landslides with hourly information and time of triggering are used to calibrate the system. As a first outcome, two different zones have been identified: (1) zones in alpine environments, principally characterised by a bedrock composed of metamorphic rocks, igneous rocks, dolostones or limestones that require high values of critical rainfall and (2) zones in hilly environments, principally characterised by sedimentary bedrock that require low values of critical rainfall. Verification has been performed on a total number of 429 landslides with known date of occurrence. The results show a good agreement with the model with no missed alarms and a very low number of false alarms, thus suggesting an effective operational implementation.     

四川雅安市雨城区降雨诱发滑坡研究

降雨是滑坡灾害的重要诱发因素之一。通过详细的地质灾害调查及地质灾害与降雨相关关系的研究,得出降雨对雅安雨城区地质灾害诱发作用的规律并进一步定量评价了诱发因素级别。研究发现,降雨量对滑坡的诱发因素可划分为4级,1d降雨量分级临界值分别为20mm、50mm和100mm,3d降雨量分级临界值分别为100mm、150mm和240mm。这一研究成果为雅安雨城区地质灾害预警预报提供了基础。