Dennis M Staley
Current research focuses on landslide hazards in Alaska, specifically on tsunamigenic landslides in Prince William Sound. Past research includes post-wildfire debris flow hazards in the western United States, the geomorphology of alluvial and debris-flow fans and talus deposits in arid and alpine environments, and the assessment of aquatic, riparian and wetland ecosystem health and function.
I am a Research Physical Scientist in the Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage, Alaska, where I currently lead a project related to landslide hazards in Prince William Sound. This project is currently aimed at improving our understanding of the tsunamigenic potential and corresponding risk associated with large rock slope failures in recently deglaciated fiords.
Prior to moving to Alaska in the fall of 2021, I worked at the Geologic Hazards Science Center in Golden, Colorado, where I studied post-fire debris flows. This research focused on advancing our understanding of the topographic, geologic, hydrologic, and meteorological conditions that influence the location, timing, and magnitude of post-fire debris flows for the purpose of improving hazard assessment and early warning.
Before starting my career at the U.S. Geological Survey, I was a Physical Scientist at the U.S. Forest Service in Golden, Colorado, where I focused on developing protocols for assessing the health and function of aquatic, riparian, and wetland ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains.
Professional Experience
2007 - Present: Research Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Golden CO and Anchorage AK
2001 - 2007: Physical Scientist, U.S. Forest Service, Golden CO
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis TN, 2006.
MSc. in Geography, University of Memphis, Memphis TN, 2000.
BA in Geography, State University of New York - College at Geneseo, Geneseo NY, 1998.
Affiliations and Memberships*
Fellow, Geological Society of America (2020)
E.B. Burwell Jr. Award, Geological Society of America Environmental and Engineering Geology Division (2019)
Honor Award for Superior Service, U.S. Department of Interior (2016)
Meritorious Service Award, Environmental and Engineering Geology Division of the Geological Society of America (2015)
Best Paper Award in Landslides, International Landslide Consortium (2013)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 58
Movement of sediment through a burned landscape: Sediment volume observations and model comparisons in the San Gabriel Mountains, California, USA Movement of sediment through a burned landscape: Sediment volume observations and model comparisons in the San Gabriel Mountains, California, USA
Post-wildfire changes to hydrologic and geomorphic systems can lead to widespread sediment redistribution. Understanding how sediment moves through a watershed is crucial for assessing hazards, developing debris flow inundation models, engineering sediment retention solutions, and quantifying the role that disturbances play in landscape evolution. In this study, we used terrestrial and...
Authors
Francis Rengers, Luke McGuire, Jason Kean, Dennis Staley, Mariana Dobre, Peter Robichaud, Tyson Swetnam
Postwildfire soil‐hydraulic recovery and the persistence of debris flow hazards Postwildfire soil‐hydraulic recovery and the persistence of debris flow hazards
Deadly and destructive debris flows often follow wildfire, but understanding of changes in the hazard potential with time since fire is poor. We develop a simulation‐based framework to quantify changes in the hydrologic triggering conditions for debris flows as postwildfire infiltration properties evolve through time. Our approach produces time‐varying rainfall intensity‐duration...
Authors
Matthew Thomas, Francis Rengers, Jason Kean, Luke McGuire, Dennis Staley, Katherine Barnhart, Brian A. Ebel
Forecasting the frequency and magnitude of postfire debris flows across southern California Forecasting the frequency and magnitude of postfire debris flows across southern California
Southern California has a long history of damaging debris flows after wildfire. Despite recurrent loss, forecasts of the frequency and magnitude of postfire debris flows are not available for the region like they are for earthquakes. Instead, debris flow hazards are typically assessed in a reactive manner after wildfires. Such assessments are crucial for evaluating debris flow risk by...
Authors
Jason Kean, Dennis Staley
Time since burning and rainfall characteristics impact post-fire debris flow initiation and magnitude Time since burning and rainfall characteristics impact post-fire debris flow initiation and magnitude
The extreme heat from wildfire alters soil properties and incinerates vegetation, leading to changes in infiltration capacity, ground cover, soil erodibility, and rainfall interception. These changes promote elevated rates of runoff and sediment transport that increase the likelihood of runoff-generated debris flows. Debris flows are most common in the year immediately following wildfire...
Authors
Luke McGuire, Francis Rengers, Nina Oakley, Jason Kean, Dennis Staley, Hui Tang, Marian de Orla-Barile, Ann Youberg
The recurrence interval of post-fire debris-flow generating rainfall in the southwestern United States The recurrence interval of post-fire debris-flow generating rainfall in the southwestern United States
In the southwestern United States, post-fire debris flows commonly initiate during short bursts of intense rainfall. To date, the frequency of the rainfall rates has not been quantified. Here, we combine an existing database of debris-flow occurrences and corresponding peak storm intensities with a geospatial library of rainfall recurrence interval (RI) information and climate type to...
Authors
Dennis Staley, Jason Kean, Francis Rengers
Landslides after wildfire: Initiation, magnitude, and mobility Landslides after wildfire: Initiation, magnitude, and mobility
In the semiarid Southwestern USA, wildfires are commonly followed by runoff-generated debris flows because wildfires remove vegetation and ground cover, which reduces soil infiltration capacity and increases soil erodibility. At a study site in Southern California, we initially observed runoff-generated debris flows in the first year following fire. However, at the same site three years...
Authors
Francis Rengers, Luke McGuire, Nina Oakley, Jason Kean, Dennis Staley, Hui Tang
Predicting the floods that follow the flames Predicting the floods that follow the flames
No abstract available.
Authors
Jonathan Gourley, Humberto Vergara, Ami Arthur, Robert Clark, Dennis Staley, John Fulton, Laura Hempel, David Goodrich, Katherine Rowden, Peter Robichaud
Conceptual framework for assessing disturbance impacts on debris-flow initiation thresholds across hydroclimatic settings Conceptual framework for assessing disturbance impacts on debris-flow initiation thresholds across hydroclimatic settings
The destructive and deadly nature of debris flows has motivated research into empirical rainfall thresholds to provide situational awareness, inform early warning systems, and reduce loss of life and property. Disturbances such as wildfire and land-cover change can influence the hydrological processes of infiltration and runoff generation; in steep terrain this typically lowers empirical
Authors
Benjamin Mirus, Dennis Staley, Jason Kean, Joel Smith, Rick Wooten, Luke McGuire, Brian A. Ebel
Thresholds for post-wildfire debris flows: Insights from the Pinal Fire, Arizona, USA Thresholds for post-wildfire debris flows: Insights from the Pinal Fire, Arizona, USA
Wildfire significantly alters the hydrologic properties of a burned area, leading to increases in overland flow, erosion, and the potential for runoff-generated debris flows. The initiation of debris flows in recently burned areas is well-characterized by rainfall intensity-duration (ID) thresholds. However, there is currently a paucity of data quantifying the rainfall intensities...
Authors
Carissa Raymond, Luke McGuire, Ann Youberg, Dennis Staley, Jason Kean
Developing and testing physically based triggering thresholds for runoff‐generated debris flows Developing and testing physically based triggering thresholds for runoff‐generated debris flows
Runoff in steep channels is capable of transitioning into debris flows with hazardous implications for downstream communities and infrastructure, particularly in alpine landscapes with minimal vegetation and areas recently disturbed by wildfire. Here, we derive thresholds for the initiation of runoff‐generated debris flows based on critical values of dimensionless discharge and Shields...
Authors
Hui Tang, Luke McGuire, Francis Rengers, Jason Kean, Dennis Staley, Joel Smith
An evaluation of debris-flow runout model accuracy and complexity in Montecito, CA: Towards a framework for regional inundation-hazard forecasting An evaluation of debris-flow runout model accuracy and complexity in Montecito, CA: Towards a framework for regional inundation-hazard forecasting
Numerous debris-flow inundation models have been applied retroactively to noteworthy events around the world. While such studies can be useful in identifying controlling factors, calibrating model parameters, and assessing future hazards in specific study areas, model parameters tailored to individual events can be difficult to apply regionally. The advancement of debris-flow modeling...
Authors
Erin Bessette-Kirton, Jason Kean, Jeffrey Coe, Francis Rengers, Dennis Staley
Looking through the window of disturbance at post-wildfire debris-flow hazards Looking through the window of disturbance at post-wildfire debris-flow hazards
The extreme heat from wildfire alters soil properties and incinerates vegetation, leading to changes in infiltration capacity, ground cover, soil erodibility, and rainfall interception. These changes promote increases in runoff and sediment transport that increase the likelihood of runoff-generated debris flows. Over a period of several years, referred to as the window of disturbance...
Authors
Luke McGuire, Francis Rengers, Jason Kean, Dennis Staley, Hui Tang, Ann Youberg
Filter Total Items: 17
Post-wildfire debris-flow monitoring data, Las Lomas, 2016 Fish Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2016 to February 2017 Post-wildfire debris-flow monitoring data, Las Lomas, 2016 Fish Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2016 to February 2017
This data release includes time-series data from a monitoring site located in a small (0.12 km2) drainage basin in the Las Lomas watershed in Los Angeles County, CA, USA. The site was established after the 2016 Fish Fire and recorded a series debris flows in the first winter after the fire. The station is located along the channel at the outlet of the study area (34 9'18.50"N, 117 56'41...
Debris-flow inundation and damage data from the 9 January 2018 Montecito Debris-Flow Event Debris-flow inundation and damage data from the 9 January 2018 Montecito Debris-Flow Event
On 9 January 2018, intense rain above Montecito, California triggered a series of debris flows from steep catchments in the Santa Ynez Mountains. These catchments were burned three weeks earlier by the 1140 km2 Thomas Fire. After exiting the mountain front, the debris flows traveled over 3 km down a series of alluvial fans, killing 23 people and damaging over 400 homes. To understand the...
Hillslope hydrologic monitoring data following the 2009 Station Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2015 to June 2017 Hillslope hydrologic monitoring data following the 2009 Station Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2015 to June 2017
This data release includes time-series data from two monitoring stations in drainage basins burned in the 2009 Station Fire, Los Angeles County, California. Both stations are located near the upper boundary of their respective watershed and were installed to study the effects of vegetation recovery on hillslope hydrology and debris-flow occurrence. The data include 1-minute time series...
Data used to characterize the historical distribution of wildfire severity in the western United States in support of pre-fire assessment of debris-flow hazards Data used to characterize the historical distribution of wildfire severity in the western United States in support of pre-fire assessment of debris-flow hazards
Following wildfire, mountainous areas of the western United States are susceptible to enhanced runoff and erosion and an increased vulnerability to debris flow during intense rainfall. Convective storms that can generate debris flows in recently burned areas may occur during or immediately after the wildfire, leaving insufficient time for development and implementation of risk mitigation
Post-wildfire debris-flow monitoring data, Arroyo Seco, 2009 Station Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2009 to March 2010. Post-wildfire debris-flow monitoring data, Arroyo Seco, 2009 Station Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2009 to March 2010.
This data release includes time-series data from a monitoring site located in a small drainage basin in the Arroyo Seco watershed in Los Angeles County, CA, USA (N3788964 E389956, UTM Zone 11, NAD83). The site was established after the 2009 Station Fire and recorded a series debris flows in the first winter after the fire. The data include three types of time-series: (1) 1-minute time...
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 58
Movement of sediment through a burned landscape: Sediment volume observations and model comparisons in the San Gabriel Mountains, California, USA Movement of sediment through a burned landscape: Sediment volume observations and model comparisons in the San Gabriel Mountains, California, USA
Post-wildfire changes to hydrologic and geomorphic systems can lead to widespread sediment redistribution. Understanding how sediment moves through a watershed is crucial for assessing hazards, developing debris flow inundation models, engineering sediment retention solutions, and quantifying the role that disturbances play in landscape evolution. In this study, we used terrestrial and...
Authors
Francis Rengers, Luke McGuire, Jason Kean, Dennis Staley, Mariana Dobre, Peter Robichaud, Tyson Swetnam
Postwildfire soil‐hydraulic recovery and the persistence of debris flow hazards Postwildfire soil‐hydraulic recovery and the persistence of debris flow hazards
Deadly and destructive debris flows often follow wildfire, but understanding of changes in the hazard potential with time since fire is poor. We develop a simulation‐based framework to quantify changes in the hydrologic triggering conditions for debris flows as postwildfire infiltration properties evolve through time. Our approach produces time‐varying rainfall intensity‐duration...
Authors
Matthew Thomas, Francis Rengers, Jason Kean, Luke McGuire, Dennis Staley, Katherine Barnhart, Brian A. Ebel
Forecasting the frequency and magnitude of postfire debris flows across southern California Forecasting the frequency and magnitude of postfire debris flows across southern California
Southern California has a long history of damaging debris flows after wildfire. Despite recurrent loss, forecasts of the frequency and magnitude of postfire debris flows are not available for the region like they are for earthquakes. Instead, debris flow hazards are typically assessed in a reactive manner after wildfires. Such assessments are crucial for evaluating debris flow risk by...
Authors
Jason Kean, Dennis Staley
Time since burning and rainfall characteristics impact post-fire debris flow initiation and magnitude Time since burning and rainfall characteristics impact post-fire debris flow initiation and magnitude
The extreme heat from wildfire alters soil properties and incinerates vegetation, leading to changes in infiltration capacity, ground cover, soil erodibility, and rainfall interception. These changes promote elevated rates of runoff and sediment transport that increase the likelihood of runoff-generated debris flows. Debris flows are most common in the year immediately following wildfire...
Authors
Luke McGuire, Francis Rengers, Nina Oakley, Jason Kean, Dennis Staley, Hui Tang, Marian de Orla-Barile, Ann Youberg
The recurrence interval of post-fire debris-flow generating rainfall in the southwestern United States The recurrence interval of post-fire debris-flow generating rainfall in the southwestern United States
In the southwestern United States, post-fire debris flows commonly initiate during short bursts of intense rainfall. To date, the frequency of the rainfall rates has not been quantified. Here, we combine an existing database of debris-flow occurrences and corresponding peak storm intensities with a geospatial library of rainfall recurrence interval (RI) information and climate type to...
Authors
Dennis Staley, Jason Kean, Francis Rengers
Landslides after wildfire: Initiation, magnitude, and mobility Landslides after wildfire: Initiation, magnitude, and mobility
In the semiarid Southwestern USA, wildfires are commonly followed by runoff-generated debris flows because wildfires remove vegetation and ground cover, which reduces soil infiltration capacity and increases soil erodibility. At a study site in Southern California, we initially observed runoff-generated debris flows in the first year following fire. However, at the same site three years...
Authors
Francis Rengers, Luke McGuire, Nina Oakley, Jason Kean, Dennis Staley, Hui Tang
Predicting the floods that follow the flames Predicting the floods that follow the flames
No abstract available.
Authors
Jonathan Gourley, Humberto Vergara, Ami Arthur, Robert Clark, Dennis Staley, John Fulton, Laura Hempel, David Goodrich, Katherine Rowden, Peter Robichaud
Conceptual framework for assessing disturbance impacts on debris-flow initiation thresholds across hydroclimatic settings Conceptual framework for assessing disturbance impacts on debris-flow initiation thresholds across hydroclimatic settings
The destructive and deadly nature of debris flows has motivated research into empirical rainfall thresholds to provide situational awareness, inform early warning systems, and reduce loss of life and property. Disturbances such as wildfire and land-cover change can influence the hydrological processes of infiltration and runoff generation; in steep terrain this typically lowers empirical
Authors
Benjamin Mirus, Dennis Staley, Jason Kean, Joel Smith, Rick Wooten, Luke McGuire, Brian A. Ebel
Thresholds for post-wildfire debris flows: Insights from the Pinal Fire, Arizona, USA Thresholds for post-wildfire debris flows: Insights from the Pinal Fire, Arizona, USA
Wildfire significantly alters the hydrologic properties of a burned area, leading to increases in overland flow, erosion, and the potential for runoff-generated debris flows. The initiation of debris flows in recently burned areas is well-characterized by rainfall intensity-duration (ID) thresholds. However, there is currently a paucity of data quantifying the rainfall intensities...
Authors
Carissa Raymond, Luke McGuire, Ann Youberg, Dennis Staley, Jason Kean
Developing and testing physically based triggering thresholds for runoff‐generated debris flows Developing and testing physically based triggering thresholds for runoff‐generated debris flows
Runoff in steep channels is capable of transitioning into debris flows with hazardous implications for downstream communities and infrastructure, particularly in alpine landscapes with minimal vegetation and areas recently disturbed by wildfire. Here, we derive thresholds for the initiation of runoff‐generated debris flows based on critical values of dimensionless discharge and Shields...
Authors
Hui Tang, Luke McGuire, Francis Rengers, Jason Kean, Dennis Staley, Joel Smith
An evaluation of debris-flow runout model accuracy and complexity in Montecito, CA: Towards a framework for regional inundation-hazard forecasting An evaluation of debris-flow runout model accuracy and complexity in Montecito, CA: Towards a framework for regional inundation-hazard forecasting
Numerous debris-flow inundation models have been applied retroactively to noteworthy events around the world. While such studies can be useful in identifying controlling factors, calibrating model parameters, and assessing future hazards in specific study areas, model parameters tailored to individual events can be difficult to apply regionally. The advancement of debris-flow modeling...
Authors
Erin Bessette-Kirton, Jason Kean, Jeffrey Coe, Francis Rengers, Dennis Staley
Looking through the window of disturbance at post-wildfire debris-flow hazards Looking through the window of disturbance at post-wildfire debris-flow hazards
The extreme heat from wildfire alters soil properties and incinerates vegetation, leading to changes in infiltration capacity, ground cover, soil erodibility, and rainfall interception. These changes promote increases in runoff and sediment transport that increase the likelihood of runoff-generated debris flows. Over a period of several years, referred to as the window of disturbance...
Authors
Luke McGuire, Francis Rengers, Jason Kean, Dennis Staley, Hui Tang, Ann Youberg
Filter Total Items: 17
Post-wildfire debris-flow monitoring data, Las Lomas, 2016 Fish Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2016 to February 2017 Post-wildfire debris-flow monitoring data, Las Lomas, 2016 Fish Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2016 to February 2017
This data release includes time-series data from a monitoring site located in a small (0.12 km2) drainage basin in the Las Lomas watershed in Los Angeles County, CA, USA. The site was established after the 2016 Fish Fire and recorded a series debris flows in the first winter after the fire. The station is located along the channel at the outlet of the study area (34 9'18.50"N, 117 56'41...
Debris-flow inundation and damage data from the 9 January 2018 Montecito Debris-Flow Event Debris-flow inundation and damage data from the 9 January 2018 Montecito Debris-Flow Event
On 9 January 2018, intense rain above Montecito, California triggered a series of debris flows from steep catchments in the Santa Ynez Mountains. These catchments were burned three weeks earlier by the 1140 km2 Thomas Fire. After exiting the mountain front, the debris flows traveled over 3 km down a series of alluvial fans, killing 23 people and damaging over 400 homes. To understand the...
Hillslope hydrologic monitoring data following the 2009 Station Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2015 to June 2017 Hillslope hydrologic monitoring data following the 2009 Station Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2015 to June 2017
This data release includes time-series data from two monitoring stations in drainage basins burned in the 2009 Station Fire, Los Angeles County, California. Both stations are located near the upper boundary of their respective watershed and were installed to study the effects of vegetation recovery on hillslope hydrology and debris-flow occurrence. The data include 1-minute time series...
Data used to characterize the historical distribution of wildfire severity in the western United States in support of pre-fire assessment of debris-flow hazards Data used to characterize the historical distribution of wildfire severity in the western United States in support of pre-fire assessment of debris-flow hazards
Following wildfire, mountainous areas of the western United States are susceptible to enhanced runoff and erosion and an increased vulnerability to debris flow during intense rainfall. Convective storms that can generate debris flows in recently burned areas may occur during or immediately after the wildfire, leaving insufficient time for development and implementation of risk mitigation
Post-wildfire debris-flow monitoring data, Arroyo Seco, 2009 Station Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2009 to March 2010. Post-wildfire debris-flow monitoring data, Arroyo Seco, 2009 Station Fire, Los Angeles County, California, November 2009 to March 2010.
This data release includes time-series data from a monitoring site located in a small drainage basin in the Arroyo Seco watershed in Los Angeles County, CA, USA (N3788964 E389956, UTM Zone 11, NAD83). The site was established after the 2009 Station Fire and recorded a series debris flows in the first winter after the fire. The data include three types of time-series: (1) 1-minute time...
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government