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Differentiation of debris-flow and flash-flood deposits: implications for paleoflood investigations Differentiation of debris-flow and flash-flood deposits: implications for paleoflood investigations

Debris flows and flash floods are common geomorphic processes in the Colorado Rocky Mountain Front Range and foothills. Usually, debris flows and flash floods are associated with excess summer rainfall or snowmelt, in areas were unconsolidated surficial deposits are relatively thick and slopes are steep. In the Front Range and foothills, flash flooding is limited to areas below about...
Authors
Christopher F. Waythomas, Robert D. Jarrett

Mapping debris-flow hazard in Honolulu using a DEM Mapping debris-flow hazard in Honolulu using a DEM

A method for mapping hazard posed by debris flows has been developed and applied to an area near Honolulu, Hawaii. The method uses studies of past debris flows to characterize sites of initiation, volume at initiation, and volume-change behavior during flow. Digital simulations of debris flows based on these characteristics are then routed through a digital elevation model (DEM) to...
Authors
Stephen D. Ellen, Robert K. Mark

Landslides caused by the Klamath Falls, Oregon, earthquakes of September 20, 1993 Landslides caused by the Klamath Falls, Oregon, earthquakes of September 20, 1993

The Klamath Falls earthquakes caused landslides throughout an area of about 420 sq km and as far as about 29 km from the epicenter, a distribution that is typical for magnitude 6 earthquakes (see graphs on following pages). Most of the landslides were rock falls or shallow, highly disrupted rock slides from roadcuts, quarries, and steep bluff faces. Such landslides are also among the...
Authors
D. K. Keefer, R. L. Schuster

A rainfall intensity-duration threshold for landslides in a humid- tropical environment, Puerto Rico A rainfall intensity-duration threshold for landslides in a humid- tropical environment, Puerto Rico

Landslides are triggered by factors such as heavy rainfall, seismic activity, and construction on hillslopes. The leading cause of landslides in Puerto Rico is intense and/or prolonged rainfall. A rainfall threshold for rainfall-triggered landsliding is delimited by 256 storms that occurred between 1959 and 1991 in the central mountains of Puerto Rico, where mean annual rainfall is close...
Authors
M. C. Larsen, A. Simon

Assessment and prediction of debris-flow hazards Assessment and prediction of debris-flow hazards

Study of debris-flow geomorphology and initiation mechanism has led to better understanding of debris-flow processes. This paper reviews how this understanding is used in current techniques for assessment and prediction of debris-flow hazards.
Authors
Gerald F. Wieczorek

Water fact sheet, history of landslides and debris flows at Mount Rainier Water fact sheet, history of landslides and debris flows at Mount Rainier

Many landslides and debris flows have originated from Mount Rainier since the retreat of glaciers from Puget Sound about 10,000 years ago. The recurrent instability is due to several factors--height of the steep-sided volcanic cone, frequent volcanic activity, continuous weakening of rock by steam and hot, chemical-laden water, and exposure of unstable areas as the mountains glaciers...
Authors
K. M. Scott, J.W. Vallance

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Hugo in eastern Puerto Rico, September 1989 Landslides triggered by Hurricane Hugo in eastern Puerto Rico, September 1989

On the morning of September 18, 1989, a category-four hurricane struck eastern Puerto Rico with a sustained wind speed in excess of 46 m/s. The 24-h rainfall accumulation from the hurricane ranged from 100 to 339 mm. Average rainfall intensities ranging from 34 to 39 mm/h were calculated for 4 and 6 h periods, respectively, at a rain gage equipped with satellite telemetry, and at an...
Authors
Matthew C. Larsen, Angel J. Torres-Sanchez
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