Influence of runoff on debris flow propagation at a catchment scale: a case study

Abstract

Debris flow mobility can vary during propagation due to changes in flow volume and bulk flow behavior resulting from the absorption of water from runoff. This study aims to investigate the effect of runoff on debris flow propagation by presenting an integrated model that considers the processes of rainfall, vegetation interception, soil infiltration, runoff generation, and debris flow propagation. Specifically, the study adopts an elevation-based empirical formula to evaluate the spatial distribution of rainfall and introduces a parameter for water absorption rate into the depth-averaged two-layer model that is used for describing the dynamics of runoff and debris flow. Through alternative simulations of the 2020 debris flow in the Meilong catchment, the study illustrates the significant effects of water absorption on debris flow propagation. The results indicate that as the water absorption rate of the debris mass increases, debris flow mobility also increases, since more mass and energy are transferred from runoff to debris flow. In addition, the spatial and temporal patterns of rainfall intensity can modify the propagation velocity of debris flow by influencing runoff dynamics.