Water Stewardship Information Sources

Resource Name Hazards related to permafrost and to permafrost degradation: Permafrost and debris flows
Unique File Number 357
Information Type applied Research
Surface Water
Aquatic Ecosystem
Groundwater
Groundwater & Surface Water
Management for Natural & Industrial Hazards A
Strengths
Limitations focussed on European Alps
Challenges
Outstanding Research Questions
Outstanding Research Questions
Information Subtype permafrost
Organization PermaNet
Resource Name Zischg A et al. (2011). Chapter 2: Permafrost and debris-flows. In Schoeneich P. et al. (eds): Hazards related to permafrost and to permafrost degradation. PermaNET project, state-of-the-art report 6.2. On-line publication ISBN 978-2-903095-59-8, p. 29-66.
Resource Purpose Debris flows are rapid gravity induced mass movements that consist of sediment saturated with water. A debris flow event is the results of a combination of many triggering factors, and the isolation of the influence of permafrost to the debris flow event against the other triggering factors is difficult. For many debris flows that originated at altitudes above 2500 m, the influence of permafrost could be proven or is supposed. Torrential systems can be classified into two main categories: • Transport capacity limited torrents: in such torrents, a sufficient debris supply is always available. Debris flows are limited by the amount of available water and its transport capacity. Only an increase of water availability can lead to an increase in debris flows. • Debris limited torrents: in such torrents, the transport capacity of debris flows exceeds the debris supply. Debris flows are limited by the amount of available debris. Thus the influence of permafrost on debris flow intensity or frequency will strongly depend on the type of control driving the torrential system.
Type of Information report
How does this help decision making?
Program Status complete
NE Coverage international
Drinking Water
Ecosystem
Fish
Groundwater
Public Safety y
SW Quality
SW Quantity
Link http://www.permanet-alpinespace.eu/archive/pdf/WP6_2_debris_flows.pdf
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