Debris-flows are widespread natural phenomena characterized by high mobility (high velocity and long runout dis-tance) and impact forces, which frequently cause human casualties and significant damage to infrastructure. To better understandthe dynamics of such events, analyzing in particular the effect induced by the valley geometry on flow velocity, runout and mobi-lized volumes, in this work we reconstruct a real debris-flow event through numerical modeling. Specifically, we used a modifiedversion of the BING model, a fluid-dynamic depth-integrated numerical model for debris flows, which has been properly modifiedto account for width changes along the valley. The studied event, which occurred in Scaletta Zanclea (Messina, north-eastern Sicily,Italy) on October 1, 2009, is exceptionally well constrained by field and topographic information. In this respect the flow velocity,estimated from two specific locations on the basis of field evidence, the distribution of erosional and depositional areas along theRacinazzo valley, based on the comparison of pre- and post-event digital elevation models (DEMs), and the runout distance wereused as constraints to calibrate the model. Furthermore, we report a detailed description of the main event characteristics basedon hydrological records and witness reports. The numerical modeling results are consistent with witness reports and the severe dam-age recorded in the Scaletta Marina village, and highlight the effect of the valley geometry on both the debris flow velocity and theerosion/deposition processes. The effect of changing valley width has been also quantified, resulting in accelerations of the debris incorrespondence of the valley narrowing and stagnations at the plateaus.

Reconstruction of a destructive debris-flow event via numerical modeling. The role of valley geometry on flow dynamics / Schiliro', Luca; DE BLASIO, FABIO VITTORIO; Esposito, Carlo; SCARASCIA MUGNOZZA, Gabriele. - In: EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS. - ISSN 1096-9837. - STAMPA. - 40:14(2015), pp. 1847-1861. [10.1002/esp.3762]

Reconstruction of a destructive debris-flow event via numerical modeling. The role of valley geometry on flow dynamics

SCHILIRO', LUCA
;
DE BLASIO, FABIO VITTORIO;ESPOSITO, CARLO;SCARASCIA MUGNOZZA, Gabriele
2015

Abstract

Debris-flows are widespread natural phenomena characterized by high mobility (high velocity and long runout dis-tance) and impact forces, which frequently cause human casualties and significant damage to infrastructure. To better understandthe dynamics of such events, analyzing in particular the effect induced by the valley geometry on flow velocity, runout and mobi-lized volumes, in this work we reconstruct a real debris-flow event through numerical modeling. Specifically, we used a modifiedversion of the BING model, a fluid-dynamic depth-integrated numerical model for debris flows, which has been properly modifiedto account for width changes along the valley. The studied event, which occurred in Scaletta Zanclea (Messina, north-eastern Sicily,Italy) on October 1, 2009, is exceptionally well constrained by field and topographic information. In this respect the flow velocity,estimated from two specific locations on the basis of field evidence, the distribution of erosional and depositional areas along theRacinazzo valley, based on the comparison of pre- and post-event digital elevation models (DEMs), and the runout distance wereused as constraints to calibrate the model. Furthermore, we report a detailed description of the main event characteristics basedon hydrological records and witness reports. The numerical modeling results are consistent with witness reports and the severe dam-age recorded in the Scaletta Marina village, and highlight the effect of the valley geometry on both the debris flow velocity and theerosion/deposition processes. The effect of changing valley width has been also quantified, resulting in accelerations of the debris incorrespondence of the valley narrowing and stagnations at the plateaus.
2015
north-eastern Sicily; debris-flow; intense rainfall; numerical modelling; BING model
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Reconstruction of a destructive debris-flow event via numerical modeling. The role of valley geometry on flow dynamics / Schiliro', Luca; DE BLASIO, FABIO VITTORIO; Esposito, Carlo; SCARASCIA MUGNOZZA, Gabriele. - In: EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS. - ISSN 1096-9837. - STAMPA. - 40:14(2015), pp. 1847-1861. [10.1002/esp.3762]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/788048
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