Debris flow risk: global assessment and local risk reduction

Lead Research Organisation: Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Geog, Politics and Sociology

Abstract

Debris flows are a significant global hazard threatening people, the environment, and infrastructure. Under a warming climate, debris flows are expected to become more frequent with increased intensity and frequency of precipitation events. There is also a natural increase in risk with population growth and expansion into areas with high rainfall and landslide events. Debris flows are distributed globally; however, some regions are more susceptible than others, with the hazards often being repeat events. The risk in these areas can be focused on the debris flow fans. These features are morphologically distinctive and can be identified using geomorphic metrics derived from open-source global digital elevation models (DEMs); however, current research is often limited to known debris flow sites at a local level and is less studied in high mountain Asia, Africa and South America. This project aims to assess potential debris flow fans and catchments by characterising their features. Topographic metrics, including basin area, the Melton ratio, slope, channel length and total curvature, will be extracted from remote sensing data and tested to identify the best-performing parameters for identifying the debris flow-prone fans. This will identify key catchments where modelling will be completed to investigate debris flow runout patterns. Finally, exposure analysis with population and infrastructure data and vulnerability assessment will be completed to understand debris flow risk, where risk is a product of the hazard, exposure and vulnerability.

Publications

10 25 50

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
NE/S007512/1 30/09/2019 29/09/2028
2922340 Studentship NE/S007512/1 15/09/2024 15/03/2028 Melanie Bettles