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This thesis represents one of the few studies so far that systematically analyses environmental conditions within debris flow source areas to determine their relative importance for debris flow development. Environmental site conditions, such as slope gradient and debris availability, influence the spatial and temporal distribution of debris flows in high-alpine areas. However, current understanding of these preconditioning controls is mostly qualitative and inadequate for debris-flow hazard assessments and climate change impact studies. The author's research investigates the role of frost weathering and permafrost in the occurrence of debris flows in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Analyses are based on an extensive debris flow inventory, documenting debris flow occurrence and activity over the last 60 years in selected catchments. Debris flow activity is compared to frost-weathering intensity estimates from two models, allowing the practical comparison of two competing frost-weathering hypotheses currently discussed in literature. Information on permafrost occurrence is based on a new distributed permafrost estimate for the Southern Alps, derived from climatic conditions at active rock glacier sites. This pioneering thesis provides empirical evidence that frost weathering promotes debris-flow formation. It further highlights the potential and limitations of regional-scale studies for advancing our understanding of debris-flow preconditioning factors.

Earth sciences. --- Natural disasters. --- Geomorphology. --- Earth Sciences. --- Natural Hazards. --- Debris avalanches. --- Debris avalanches --- Periglacial processes --- Paraglacial processes --- Avalanches, Debris --- Debris flows --- Flows, Debris --- Geomorphology --- Glacial landforms --- Landslides --- Geology. --- Geognosy --- Geoscience --- Earth sciences --- Natural history --- Geomorphic geology --- Physiography --- Physical geography --- Landforms --- Natural calamities --- Disasters

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This book reflects the latest research results in computer modelling of landslide-induced debris flows. The book establishes an understanding of the initiation and propagation mechanisms of landslides by means of numerical simulations, so that mitigation strategies to reduce the long-term losses from landslide hazards can be devised. In this context, the book employs the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to investigate the mechanical and hydraulic behaviour of granular materials involved in landslides – an approach that yields meaningful insights into the flow mechanisms, concerning e.g. the mobilization of sediments, the generation and dissipation of excess pore water pressures, and the evolution of effective stresses. As such, the book provides valuable information, useful methods and robust numerical tools that can be successfully applied in the field of debris flow research.

Engineering. --- Natural disasters. --- Geotechnical engineering. --- Fluid mechanics. --- Engineering geology. --- Engineering --- Foundations. --- Hydraulics. --- Geoengineering, Foundations, Hydraulics. --- Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences. --- Engineering Fluid Dynamics. --- Natural Hazards. --- Geology. --- Debris avalanches. --- Avalanches, Debris --- Debris flows --- Flows, Debris --- Landslides --- Hydraulic engineering. --- Geognosy --- Geoscience --- Earth sciences --- Natural history --- Engineering, Hydraulic --- Fluid mechanics --- Hydraulics --- Shore protection --- Engineering—Geology. --- Natural calamities --- Disasters --- Hydromechanics --- Continuum mechanics --- Engineering, Geotechnical --- Geotechnics --- Geotechnology --- Engineering geology --- Flow of water --- Water --- Hydraulic engineering --- Jets --- Architecture --- Building --- Structural engineering --- Underground construction --- Caissons --- Earthwork --- Masonry --- Soil consolidation --- Soil mechanics --- Walls --- Civil engineering --- Geology, Economic --- Flow --- Distribution --- Details --- Geology