Debris Flow Fan Evolution Chalk Creek Natural Debris Flow Laboratory Colorado

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Cal R. Scheinert (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Advisor

Thad Wasklewicz

Abstract: Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is a surveying technique used to gather dense point cloud data that can be converted to high-resolution digital elevation models (DEM). TLS techniques are employed in the current study to monitor changes to a debris flow fan following five separate debris flows over twenty-five months (May 2009 to July 2011). This thesis represents a combination of two peer-reviewed journal articles. The first focuses on a new critical review of the six predominant themes dominating the last 40 years of alluvial fan dynamism studies. The themes include the development of conceptual models field experiments physical models numerical models high-resolution morphometric analyses and climate change scenarios. Each theme is presented independently but as highlighted in the concluding statements there should be greater efforts placed on integrating scientists from these disparate approaches to provide greater understanding of alluvial fan evolution. A case study is also presented in support of the review and contains pilot results from the first debris flow recorded for this study at the Colorado Natural Debris Flow Laboratory near Buena Vista CO USA. 

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Date: 2012

Keywords

Geography, alluvial fans, debris flows, Laser scanning

Subjects

Alluvial fans--Colorado--Chalk Creek (Chaffee County)

Debris avalanches--Colorado--Chalk Creek Canyon

Chalk Creek Canyon (Colo.)

Chalk Creek (Chaffee County, Colo.)

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