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Predicting Volume and Runout of Single Gully Debris-Flow Using Hypsometric Integral Value in the Wenchuan Earthquake Area

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Earthquake-Induced Landslides

Abstract

Debris-flow volume and runout zone are estimated from empirical equations which are based on the most important morphometric characteristics of a catchment and have the limitation of requiring uncertain input parameters. In addition, due to extraordinary abundant loose solid materials and local short-time heavy rainfall by extreme climate in the Wenchuan earthquake area, large errors will occur if the existing empirical equations are directly used. In order to enhance the applicability of those empirical equations in this area, we use Strahler’s Hypsometric (area-altitude) analysis method to quantitatively describe the geomorphological conditions, develop models that quantitatively depict spatial distribution of mainly available loose sediment in debris-flow catchment and with integral values T, G 1 and G 2 as quantitative parameters of loose sediment’s spatial conditions. Grouping-occurring debris-flows triggered by the September 24, 2008 rainstorm in Beichuan County and the August 13, 2010 regional rainstorm in Qingping Town, Mianzhu County are selected. Applying multivariate regression analysis, Hypsometric integral value S is used in estimating debris-flow volume and runout distance models; and T, G 1 and G 2 are used as the coefficients of correction. The results showed that the hypsometric integral value S was suitable for the prediction of the debris-flow volume and runout zones in the Wenchuan earthquake area; the predicted results were more accurate when T, G 1 and G 2 are used. The introduction of S, T, G 1 and G 2 will enhance the applicability of existing empirical equations in Wenchuan earthquake area.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the National Science and Technology Support Plan Project (2011BAK12B03) and the National basic research and development project of China (2011CB409903).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Surface Process, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

    Huaizhen Zhang, Jianrong Fan & Qing Liu

  2. Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Conservancy, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China

    Huaizhen Zhang, Jianrong Fan & Qing Liu

  3. Institute of Remote Sensing Applications, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Huaizhen Zhang

  4. Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Huaizhen Zhang & Qing Liu

Authors
  1. Huaizhen Zhang
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  2. Jianrong Fan
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  3. Qing Liu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jianrong Fan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept. of Civil & Environ. Engineering, Gunma University, Tenjin 1-5-1, Kiryu, 376-8515, Gunma, Japan

    Keizo Ugai

  2. , Faculty of Education, Art and Science, Yamagata University, Kojirakawa 1-4-12, Yamagata, 990-8567, Japan

    Hiroshi Yagi

  3. , Dept. of Civil & Environ. Engineering, Gunma University, Tenjin 1-5-1, Kiryu, 376-8515, Gunma, Japan

    Akihiko Wakai

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Zhang, H., Fan, J., Liu, Q. (2013). Predicting Volume and Runout of Single Gully Debris-Flow Using Hypsometric Integral Value in the Wenchuan Earthquake Area. In: Ugai, K., Yagi, H., Wakai, A. (eds) Earthquake-Induced Landslides. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32238-9_31

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