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A debris flow is a fast-moving landslide that can carry large objects and cause damage. Learn about the causes, types, and hazards of debris flows, and how to prepare for them from the USGS experts.
Debris flows are geological phenomena in which water-laden masses of soil and fragmented rock rush down mountainsides, funnel into stream channels, entrain objects in their paths, and form thick, muddy deposits on valley floors.
Learn what a debris flow is, how it forms, and why it is so dangerous. See videos, pictures, maps, and examples of debris flows from around the world.
A debris flow is a mixture of water and particles driven down a slope by gravity. They typically consist of unsteady, non-uniform surges of mixtures of muddy water and high concentrations of rock fragments of different shapes and sizes.
Aug 18, 2022 · Debris flows are concentrated mixtures of water and loose rock and mineral material that flow downslope, usually in a preexisting channel, under the pull of gravity. Speeds range from a slow walk to a speeding automobile.
May 6, 2019 · Learn how wildfire can increase the risk of debris flows, fast-moving slurries of water, rock, soil, and mud, in burned areas. Find out how USGS scientists use models, drone imagery, and data to assess and forecast post-fire debris-flow hazards.
A debris flow is a rapid mass movement of a concentrated mixture of sediment, organic matter, and water that can flow like a liquid yet can stop on sloping surfaces and form a nearly rigid deposit. Learn about the origins, behavior, and modeling of debris flows in subaerial and subaqueous environments from this encyclopedia entry.
