Hydrometeorological triggers of periglacial debris flows in the Zermatt valley (Switzerland) since 1864

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface
• Main Authors: Schneuwly-Bollschweiler, Michelle, Stoffel, Markus
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/333.7-333.9; Debris flow; Frequency; Permafrost; Rainfall; Temperature; Tree ring; permafrost
• Online Access: https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:121727

The triggering of debris flows depends on a critical combination of available unconsolidated material and water supply. In periglacial environments, debris flows are generally triggered by liquefaction of loose material in a channel, or by progressive erosion during a large release of water. Here, we link an unusually dense and highly resolved database on periglacial debris flows with meteorological records dating back to AD 1864 to reconstruct ∼150 yr of rainstorms that triggered debris flows at high‐elevation sites (source area elevations ranging from 2000 to 4545 m a.s.l.) in the Swiss Alps. Analysis is based on a tree ring‐derived frequency series of debris flows from eight torrents, as well as on daily records from three meteorological stations and runoff data from four river gauging stations. Results show that the debris‐flow season at these high‐altitude sites now is much longer (May to October) than it used to be in the late nineteenth century when activity was limited to June–September. Debris flows early in the season are generally triggered by lower rainstorm totals (<20 mm/day) than those occurring later in the season because early season snowmelt adds considerable amounts of water to the system and therefore facilitates debris‐flow formation. Debris flows in May, June, July, and August are triggered primarily by short‐duration high‐intensity rainstorms (local thunderstorms) whereas late season (September, October) debris flows are commonly related to longer‐lasting advective rainstorms.