Characterization of debris flows by rainstorm condition at a torrent on the Mount Yakedake volcano, Japan

Abstract We analyzed rainstorm control on debris-flow magnitude and flow characteristics using the 14 sets of rainstorm and debris-flow data obtained from 1980 to 2005 at the Kamikamihorizawa Creek of Mount Yakedake. With the principal component analysis on five parameters of debris flows: frontal velocity, peak velocity, peak flow depth, peak discharge and total discharge, and with video-record of boulder-dams in motion, and the preceding rainfall intensities, we conclude that the 14 debris flows could be categorized into three groups. The flows in the first group have large hydraulic magnitude and massive and turbulent boulder-dams filled with slurry matrix. The flows in the second group have small hydraulic magnitude and boulder-dams scarcely filled with slurry matrix, and the dam is observed to alternate between stopping and starting. The flows in the third group have small hydraulic magnitude and boulder dams filled with slurry matrix. Analysis of hillslope hydrology and debris-flow data asserted that the antecedent rainfall conditions control not only the hydraulic magnitude of debris flows but also the boulder-dam features. Large rainstorms of high intensity and durations as short as 10 minutes induces fast and large storm runoff to the headwaters and the source reaches of debris flow, while rainstorms with durations as long as 24 h raises water content in the bottom deposits along the debris-flow growth reaches and generates substantial runoff from the tributaries. Classification of the three groups is done based on water availability to debris flows on the source and growth reaches at the occurrence of debris flow.