Abstract
Debris-flow monitoring in instrumented areas is an invaluable way to gather field data that may improve the understanding of these hazardous phenomena. A new experimental site has been equipped in the Autonomous Province of Bozen-Bolzano (Eastern Alps, Italy) for both monitoring purposes and testing early warning systems. The study site (Gadria basin) is a 6.3 km2 catchment subjected to frequent debris flows. The monitoring system in the Gadria basin consists of rain gauges, radar sensors, geophones, video cameras, piezometers and soil moisture probes. Transmission of data and alerts from the instruments exploits in part radio technology. The paper presents the data gathered during the first three years of activity, with two debris-flow events recorded at the station varying in magnitude and characteristics, and discusses the perspectives of debris-flow monitoring and related research.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arattano M (2003) Monitoring the presence of the debris flow front and its velocity through ground vibration detectors. In: Rickenmann D, Chen CL (eds) 3rd international conference on debris-flow hazard mitigation: mechanics, prediction and assessment. Millpress, Rotterdam, pp 719–730
Arattano M, Franzi L (2004) Analysis of different water-sediment flow processes in a mountain torrent. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 4:783–791
Arattano M, Marchi L (2005) Measurements of debris flow velocity through cross-correlation of instrumentation data. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 5(1):137–142
Arattano M, Marchi L (2008) Systems and sensors for debris-flow monitoring and warning. Sensors 8(4):2436–2452
Arattano M, Franzi L, Marchi L (2006) Influence of rheology on debris flow simulation. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 6:519–528
Arattano M, Marchi L, Cavalli M (2012) Analysis of debris-flow recordings in an instrumented basin: confirmations and new findings. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 12(3):679–686
Bacchini M, Zannoni A (2003) Relations between rainfall and triggering of debris-flow: case study of Cancia (Dolomites, Northeastern Italy). Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 3(1–2):71–79
Badoux A, Graf C, Rhyner J, Kuntner R, McArdell BW (2009) A debris-flow alarm system for the Alpine Illgraben catchment: design and performance. Nat Hazards 49(3):517–539
Bargossi GM, Bove G, Cucato M, Gregnanin A, Morelli C, Moretti A, Poli S, Zanchetta S, Zanchi A (2010) Note illustrative della Carta Geologica d’Italia. Foglio 013—Merano. ISPRA, Servizio Geologico d’Italia
Berger C, McArdell BW, Schlunegger F (2011) Direct measurement of channel erosion by debris flows, Illgraben, Switzerland. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 116:F01002. doi:10.1029/2010JF001722
Brardinoni F, Church M, Simoni A, Macconi P (2012) Lithologic and glacially conditioned controls on regional debris-flow sediment dynamics. Geology 40(5):455–458
Caine N (1980) The rainfall intensity-duration control of shallow landslides and debris flows. Geogr Ann A 62:23–27
Cavalli M, Trevisani S, Comiti F, Marchi L (2013) Geomorphometric assessment of spatial sediment connectivity in small Alpine catchments. Geomorphology 188:31–41
Chang SY (2003) Evaluation of a system for detecting debris flows and warning road traffic at bridges susceptible to debris-flow hazard. In: Rickenmann D, Chen C (eds) 3rd international conference on Debris-flow hazards mitigation: mechanics, prediction, and assessment. Millpress, Rotterdam, pp 731–742
Coe JA, Kinner DA, Godt JW (2008) Initiation conditions for debris flows generated by runoff at Chalk Cliffs, central Colorado. Geomorphology 96(3–4):270–297
D’Agostino V (2010) Filtering-retention check dam design in mountain torrents. In: Conesa CC, Lenzi MA (eds) Check dams, morphological adjustments and erosion control in torrential streams. Nova Science, New York, pp 185–210
Fischer K (1965) Murkegel, Schwemmkegel und Kegelimse in den Alpentalern. Mitteilungen der Geographischer Gesellschaft in Munchen 56:127–159
Frei C, Schär C (1998) A precipitation climatology of the Alps from high-resolution rain-gauge observations. Int J Climatol 18(8):873–900
Guzzetti F, Stark CP, Salvati P (2005) Evaluation of flood and landslide risk to the population of Italy. Environ Manag 36(1):15–36
Guzzetti F, Peruccacci S, Rossi M, Stark CP (2008) The rainfall intensity-duration control of shallow landslides and debris flows: an update. Landslides 5(1):3–17
Habler G, Thöni M, Grasemann B (2009) Cretaceous metamorphism in the Austroalpine Matsch Unit (Eastern Alps): the interrelation between deformation and chemical equilibration processes. Mineral Petrol 97(3–4):149–171
Hilker N, Badoux A, Hegg C (2009) The Swiss flood and landslide damage database 1972–2007. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 9(3):913–925
Hu K, Hu C, Li Y, Cui P (2011) Characteristics and mechanism of debris-flow surges at Jiangjia Ravine. In: Genevois R, Hamilton DL, Prestininzi A (eds) 5th international conference on debris-flow hazards mitigation: mechanics, prediction and assessment. Casa Editrice Università La Sapienza, Roma, pp 211–217
Huang C, Yin H, Chen C, Yeh CH, Wang CL (2007) Ground vibrations produced by rock motions and debris flows. J Geophys Res 112:F02014
Hungr O, Morgan GC, Van Dine DF, Lister RD (1987) Debris flow defenses in British Columbia. In: Costa JE, Wieczorek GF (eds) Debris flows/avalanches: process, recognition, and mitigation. Geological Society of America, Reviews in Engineering Geology 7:201–222
Hungr O, Evans SG, Bovis MJ, Hutchinson JN (2001) A review of the classification of landslides in the flow type. Environ Eng Geosci 7(3):221–228
Hungr O, McDougall S, Bovis M (2005) Entrainment of material by debris flows. In: Jakob M, Hungr O (eds) Debris-flow hazards and related phenomena. Springer, Berlin, pp 135–158
Hürlimann M, Rickenmann D, Graf C (2003) Field and monitoring data of debris-flow events in the Swiss Alps. Can Geotech J 40(1):161–175
Hürlimann M, Abancó C, Moya J, Raïmat C, Luis-Fonseca R (2011) Debris-flow monitoring stations in the Eastern Pyrenees. Description of instrumentation, first experiences and preliminary results. In: Genevois R, Hamilton DL, Prestininzi A (eds) 5th international conference on debris-flow hazards mitigation: mechanics, prediction and assessment. Casa Editrice Università La Sapienza, Roma, pp 553–562
Jarman D, Agliardi F, Crosta GB (2011) Megafans and outsize fans from catastrophic slope failures in Alpine glacial troughs: the Malser Haide and the Val Venosta cluster, Italy. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 351:253–277
Kogelnig A, Hübl J, Suriñach E, Vilajosana I, McArdell B (2014) Infrasound produced by debris flow: propagation and frequency content evolution. Nat Hazards 70(3):1713–1733. doi:10.1007/s11069-011-9741-8
LaHusen R (1996) Detecting debris flows using ground vibrations. USGS Fact Sheet 236-96, USGS (ed)
Lollino G, Arattano M, Cuccureddu M (2002) The use of the automatic inclinometric system for landslide early warning: the case of Cabella Ligure (North-Western Italy). Phys Chem Earth 27(36):1545–1550. doi:10.1016/S1474-7065(02)00175-4
Lollino G, Arattano M, Allasia P, Giordan D (2006) Time response of a landslide to meteorological events. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 6(2):179–184
Mao L, Cavalli M, Comiti F, Marchi L, Lenzi MA, Arattano M (2009) Sediment transfer processes in two Alpine catchments of contrasting morphological settings. J Hydrol 364(1–2):88–98
Marchi L, Arattano M, Deganutti AM (2002) Ten years of debris-flow monitoring in the Moscardo Torrent (Italian Alps). Geomorphology 46(1–2):1–17
McArdell BW, Badoux A (2007) Influence of rainfall on the initiation of debris flows at the Illgraben catchment, canton of Valais, Switzerland. Geophys Res Abstr 9:08804
McArdell BW, Bartelt P, Kowalski J (2007) Field observations of basal forces and fluid pore pressure in a debris flow. Geophys Res Lett 34(7):L07406
McCoy SW, Kean JW, Coe JA, Staley DM, Wasklewicz TA, Tucker GE (2010) Evolution of a natural debris flow: in situ measurements of flow dynamics, video imagery, and terrestrial laser scanning. Geology 38:735–738. doi:10.1130/G30928.1
Navratil O, Liébault F, Bellot H, Theule J, Travaglini E, Ravanat X, Ousset F, Laigle D, Segel V, Fiquet M (2012) High-frequency monitoring of debris flows in the French Alps. In: Proceedings of 12th interpraevent congress, Grenoble, 281–291
Navratil O, Liébault F, Bellot H, Travaglini E, Theule J, Chambon G, Laigle D (2013) High-frequency monitoring of debris-flow propagation along the Réal Torrent, Southern French Prealps. Geomorphology 201:157–171
Okuda S, Suwa H, Okunishi K, Yokoyama K, Nakano M (1980) Observations on the motion of a debris flow and its geomorphological effects. Z für Geomorphol Suppl 35:142–163
Parajka J, Kohnova S, Balint G, Barbuc M, Borga M, Claps P, Cheval S, Dumitrescu A, Gaume E, Hlavcova K, Merz R, Pfaundler M, Stancalie G, Szolgay J, Bloschl G (2010) Seasonal characteristics of flood regimes across the Alpine–Carpathian range. J Hydrol 394(1–2):78–89
Penna D, Borga M, Norbiato D, Dalla Fontana G (2009) Hillslope scale soil moisture variability in a steep alpine terrain. J Hydrol 364:311–327
Penna D, Brocca L, Borga M, Dalla Fontana G (2013) Soil moisture temporal stability at different depths on two alpine hillslopes during wet and dry periods. J Hydrol 477:55–71
Pierson TC (1986) Flow behavior of channelized debris flows, Mount St. Helens, Washington. In: Abrahms AD (ed) Hillslope processes. Allen & Unwin, Boston, pp 269–296
Ratschbacher L (1986) Kinematics of Austro-Alpine cover nappes: changing translation path due to transpression. Tectonophysics 125:335–356
Rickenmann D, Turowski JM, Fritschi B, Klaiber A, Ludwig A (2012) Bedload transport measurements at the Erlenbach stream with geophones and automated basket samplers. Earth Surf Proc Land 37(9):1000–1011
Solva H, Grasemann B, Thöni M, Thiede R, Habler G (2005) The Schneeberg normal fault zone: normal faulting associated with Cretaceous SE-directed extrusion in the Eastern Alps (Italy/Austria). Tectonophysics 401(3–4):143–166
Staley DM, Kean JW, Cannon SH, Schmidt KM, Laber JL (2013) Objective definition of rainfall intensity-duration thresholds for the initiation of post-fire debris flows in southern California. Landslides 10:547–563. doi:10.1007/10346-012-0341-9
Suwa H, Okano K, Kanno T (2011) Forty years of debris flow monitoring at Kamikamihorizawa Creek, Mount Yakedake, Japan. In: Genevois R, Hamilton DL, Prestininzi A (eds) 5th international conference on debris-flow hazards mitigation: mechanics, prediction and assessment. Casa Editrice Università La Sapienza, Roma, pp 605–613
Tecca PR, Galgaro A, Genevois R, Deganutti AM (2003) Development of a remotely controlled debris flow monitoring system in the Dolomites (Acquabona, Italy). Hydrol Process 17(9):1771–1784
Theule JI, Liébault F, Loye A, Laigle D, Jaboyedoff M (2012) Sediment budget monitoring of debris-flow and bedload transport in the Manival Torrent, SE France. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 12:731–749
Thöni M (1999) A review of geochronological data from the Eastern Alps. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 79(1):209–230
Wilson RC, Mark RK, Barbato G (1993) Operation of a real-time warning system for debris flows in the S. Francisco Bay Area, California. In: Hsieh Wen Shen, S. T. Su e Feng Wen (eds), Hydraulic engineering ‘93 vol 2, ASCE 1993 national conference on hydraulic engineering and international symposium on engineering hydrology. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, pp 1592–1597
Yin HY, Huang CJ, Chen CY, Fang YM, Lee BJ, Chou TY (2011) The present development of debris flow monitoring technology in Taiwan—a case study presentation. In: Genevois R, Hamilton DL, Prestininzi A (eds) 5th international conference on debris-flow hazards mitigation: mechanics, prediction and assessment. Casa Editrice Università La Sapienza, Roma, pp 623–631
Zhang S (1993) A comprehensive approach to the observation and prevention of debris flows in China. Nat Hazards 7(1):1–23
Acknowledgments
The monitoring work has been conducted through the participation of the Department of Civil Protection of the Autonomous Province of Bozen-Bolzano to the EU Interreg IV B South East Europe—Project Monitor II (2010–2012) and thanks to the funding by the research project “GESTO” granted by the Autonomous Province of Bozen-Bolzano. Since September 2012, the monitoring activities are partly funded by the European Territorial Cooperation Alpine Space Programme 2007–2013 “SEDALP” and since March 2013 also by the research project “KINOFLOW” (granted by the Autonomous Province of Bozen-Bolzano). Rudolf Pollinger, Head of the Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Autonomous Province of Bozen-Bolzano, is warmly thanked for supporting the installation of the monitoring station. Stefan Hellweger, from the same Department, helped with the installation and management of the server and of the video cameras. Giancarlo Dalla Fontana, Director of the “CIRGEO” center (Padova), and Simone Calligaro are thanked for the availability and deployment of the TLS, respectively. We thank Austro Control (Austria) and Francesco Marra (University of Padova) for making available the radar rainfall estimates based on weather radar observations from the antenna in Valluga. We thank Enrico Buzzi, Raffaele Foffa, Alberto Gobbi, Nicola Mantese and Omar Oliviero for their support in soil hydrology monitoring. Ylenia Gelmini, Francesco Bettella, Enrico Pozza and Emilio Perina are finally thanked for their help in field surveys.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Comiti, F., Marchi, L., Macconi, P. et al. A new monitoring station for debris flows in the European Alps: first observations in the Gadria basin. Nat Hazards 73, 1175–1198 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-014-1088-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-014-1088-5