Category Archives: by Anne

Edible debris flow

Steep hillslopes with loose sediment are at risk from debris flows triggered by heavy rain or rapid snowmelt. As water is added to the hillslope, surface runoff or positive pore water pressure catastrophically destabilizes a portion of the slope. I decided to undertake my own research and investigate the possibilities for an edible analog for debris flows. Continue reading

Categories: by Anne, geohazards, geomorphology

Geology is destiny: globally mapping permeability by rock type

The first maps of the global distribution of the ease of subsurface water flow have been produced, and they are based on maps of rock type. Continue reading

Categories: by Anne, geology, hydrology, paper reviews

Flooding on the flanks of Mt. Hood

It’s the middle of January. You’ve traveled to Oregon’s majestic Mount Hood for a weekend of skiing the snow- and glacier-covered slopes. On Saturday morning when you begin to head up the mountain from Portland, it’s warm and raining. “No … Continue reading

Categories: by Anne, geomorphology, hydrology

Landslides and flooding in Brazil

While Australia continues to cope with widespread flooding in Queensland and elsewhere and the death toll continues to rise (at least 20 people), in Brazil landslides and flooding in the past week have claimed at least 700 lives. Yet international … Continue reading

Categories: by Anne, geohazards, hydrology

A flood is a disaster when people are in the way

At any given moment, somewhere in the world, there is a flood occurring. Most of the time, those floods don’t make the international news circuit. When they do, it is because there are people in harm’s way. But the intensity … Continue reading

Categories: by Anne, geohazards, hydrology