Debris-flow mobilization from landslides

Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Field observations, laboratory experiments, and theoretical analyses indicate that landslides mobilize to form debris flows by three processes: (a) widespread Coulomb failure within a sloping soil, rock, or sediment mass, (b) partial or complete liquefaction of the mass by high pore-fluid pressures, and (c) conversion of landslide translational energy to internal vibrational energy (i.e. granular temperature). These processes can operate independently, but in many circumstances they appear to operate simultaneously and synergistically. Early work on debris-flow mobilization described a similar interplay of processes but relied on mechanical models in which debris behavior was assumed to be fixed and governed by a Bingham or Bagnold rheology. In contrast, this review emphasizes models in which debris behavior evolves in response to changing pore pressures and granular temperatures. One-dimensional infinite-slope models provide insight by quantifying how pore pressures and granular temperatures can influence the transition from Coulomb failure to liquefaction. Analyses of multidimensional experiments reveal complications ignored in one-dimensional models and demonstrate that debris-flow mobilization may occur by at least two distinct modes in the field.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Debris-flow mobilization from landslides
Series title Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
DOI 10.1146/annurev.earth.25.1.85
Volume 25
Year Published 1997
Language English
Publisher Annual Reviews
Contributing office(s) Volcano Science Center
Description 54 p.
First page 85
Last page 138
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details