Is debris flow a mass movement?

Debris flow is a distinct type of mass movement commonly triggered by intense rainfall and/or melting snow on steep hill slopes. It differs from landslide in its “flowing” feature.

What is a debris flow landslide?

Debris flows are fast-moving landslides that are particularly dangerous to life and property because they move quickly, destroy objects in their paths, and often strike without warning. They occur in a wide variety of environments throughout the world, including all 50 states and U.S. Territories.

What is a mass movement of soil rock or debris down a slope?

A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are a type of “mass wasting,” which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.

How do debris flows tend to move?

Debris flows tend to move in pulses, or discrete surges, as friction or other barriers are overcome during the flow. Sometimes earlier pulses or previous debris flow deposits form levees which confine the flow until they are breached by later, larger flows.

What type of mass movement is flow?

d) Flows: A flow is a spatially continuous movement in which shear surfaces are short lived, closely spaced and usually not preserved after the event. The distribution of velocities in the displacing mass resembles that in a viscous fluid.

What is the types of mass movement?

Types of mass movement Steep and unstable slopes are more likely to have a mass movement than gentle and stable slopes. A fall or topple happens when rocks and other sediments fall through the air and land at the bottom of a slope. Flows are a mixture of water, rock and sediment. They move very quickly.

What is the difference between a landslide and a debris flow?

Loading. What is the difference between a debris flow and a landslide? In a landslide, masses of rock, earth, or debris move down a slope. Debris and mud flows are rivers of rock, earth, and other debris saturated with water.

What are characteristics of debris flow?

A debris flow is a mixture of water and particles driven down a slope by gravity. They typically consist of unsteady, non-uniform surges of mixtures of muddy water and high concentrations of rock fragments of different shapes and sizes.

What is the difference between a debris flow and an earth flow?

A debris flow is the movement of a water-laden mass of loose mud, sand, soil, rock and debris down a slope. A debris flow can dash down the slope, reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour or greater. An earthflow is a flow of fine-grained material that typically develops at the lower end of a slope.

What are the three main characteristics of a debris flow?

Three factors are key to the occurrence of a debris flow: steep topography, high-intensity rainfall, and abundant loose debris (Lin et al., 2002).

What is the difference between an Earthflow and a debris flow?

What are 4 examples of mass movement?

There are four different types of mass movement:

  • Rockfall. Bits of rock fall off the cliff face usually due to freeze-thaw weathering.
  • Mudflow. Saturated soil (soil filled with water) flows down a slope.
  • Landslide. Large blocks of rock slide downhill.
  • Rotational slip. Saturated soil slumps down a curved surface.