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Susceptibility and Triggers for Debris Flows: Emergence, Loading, Release and Entrainment

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Dating Torrential Processes on Fans and Cones

Part of the book series: Advances in Global Change Research ((AGLO,volume 47))

Abstract

Debris flows generally form when unconsolidated material becomes saturated and unstable, either on a hillslope or in a stream channel. The process is defined as a moving mass of loose mud, sand, soil, rock, water and air that travels down a slope under the influence of gravity. Flows can carry material ranging in size from clay to boulders, and may contain a large amount of woody debris. Volumes of material delivered by single events vary from less than 100 to more than 100,000m3. Generally three factors are necessary for a debris flow to develop: water, sufficient inclination, and abundant sediment supply.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Institute of Mountain Risk Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, A-1180, Vienna, Austria

    Roland Kaitna

  2. Laboratory of Dendrogeomorphology (dendrolab.ch), Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Berne, CH-3012, Berne, Switzerland

    Michelle Schneuwly-Bollschweiler & Markus Stoffel

  3. Chair for Climate and Climatic Impacts, Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1227, Carouge-Geneva, Switzerland

    Michelle Schneuwly-Bollschweiler & Markus Stoffel

  4. Austrian Service for Torrent and Avalanche Control, Geological Staff Office, Liebeneggstraße 11, A-5020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Thomas Sausgruber

  5. Austrian Service for Torrent and Avalanche Control, Regional Office Lungau, A-5580, Tamsweg, Austria

    Markus Moser

  6. Department IV/5-Torrent and Avalanche Control, Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, A-1190, Vienna, Austria

    Florian Rudolf-Miklau

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  1. Roland Kaitna
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  2. Michelle Schneuwly-Bollschweiler
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  6. Florian Rudolf-Miklau
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Correspondence to Roland Kaitna .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Berne, Laboratory of Dendrogeomorphology, Institute of Geological Sciences, Baltzerstrasse 1+3, Berne, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Michelle Schneuwly-Bollschweiler

  2. University of Berne, Laboratory of Dendrogeomorphology, Institute of Geological Sciences, Baltzerstrasse 1+3, Berne, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Markus Stoffel

  3. Forestry Environment &Water Management, IV/5 – Torrent & Avalanche Control, Federal Ministry for Agriculture,, Marxergasse 5, Vienna, 1030, Wien, Austria

    Florian Rudolf-Miklau

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Kaitna, R., Schneuwly-Bollschweiler, M., Sausgruber, T., Moser, M., Stoffel, M., Rudolf-Miklau, F. (2013). Susceptibility and Triggers for Debris Flows: Emergence, Loading, Release and Entrainment. In: Schneuwly-Bollschweiler, M., Stoffel, M., Rudolf-Miklau, F. (eds) Dating Torrential Processes on Fans and Cones. Advances in Global Change Research, vol 47. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4336-6_3

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