Satellite Remote Sensing as a Tool in Lahar Disaster Management

Kerle, N.; Oppenheimer, Clive

doi:10.1111/1467-7717.00197

Cited by 55 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Kääb et al, 2003c). Due to the limitations of optical remote sensing during cloud cover and night time, the application of (repeat) weatherand sun-independent SAR data can be especially important (Kerle and Oppenheimer, 2002). The major problems related to (i) and (ii) are the enduser-capacity to handle and analyse the data, and the speed of data acquisition and delivery.…”

Section: Disaster Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Remote sensing of glacier- and permafrost-related hazards in high mountains: an overview

Kääb

Huggel

Fischer

et al. 2005

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

250

149

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Abstract. Process interactions and chain reactions, the present shift of cryospheric hazard zones due to atmospheric warming, and the potential far reach of glacier disasters make it necessary to apply modern remote sensing techniques for the assessment of glacier and permafrost hazards in highmountains. Typically, related hazard source areas are situated in remote regions, often difficult to access for physical and/or political reasons. In this contribution we provide an overview of air-and spaceborne remote sensing methods suitable for glacier and permafrost hazard assessment and disaster management. A number of image classification and change detection techniques support high-mountain hazard studies. Digital terrain models (DTMs), derived from optical stereo data, synthetic aperture radar or laserscanning, represent one of the most important data sets for investigating high-mountain processes. Fusion of satellite stereo-derived DTMs with the DTM from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) is a promising way to combine the advantages of both technologies. Large changes in terrain volume such as from avalanche deposits can indeed be measured even by repeat satellite DTMs. Multitemporal data can be used to derive surface displacements on glaciers, permafrost and landslides. Combining DTMs, results from spectral image classification, and multitemporal data from change detection and displacement measurements significantly improves the detection of hazard potentials. Modelling of hazardous processes based on geographic information systems (GIS) complements the remote sensing analyses towards an integrated assessment of glacier and permafrost hazards in mountains. Major present limitations in the application of remote sensing to glacier and permafrost hazards in mountains are, on the one hand, of technical nature (e.g. combination and fusion of different methods and data; improved unCorrespondence to: A. Kääb (kaeaeb@geo.unizh.ch) derstanding of microwave backscatter). On the other hand, better dissemination of remote sensing expertise towards institutions involved in high-mountain hazard assessment and management is needed in order to exploit the large potential of remote sensing in this field.

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Section: Disaster Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Remote sensing of glacier- and permafrost-related hazards in high mountains: an overview

Kääb

Huggel

Fischer

et al. 2005

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

250

149

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These may range from detailed mapping and assessment to disaster management and response (cf. Kerle and Oppenheimer, 2002). Presumably due to the recent emergence of the satellite and high image acquisition costs, studies on the application of QuickBird data for high-mountain hazards are yet largely missing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The 2002 rock/ice avalanche at Kolka/Karmadon, Russian Caucasus: assessment of extraordinary avalanche formation and mobility, and application of QuickBird satellite imagery

Huggel

Zgraggen-Oswald

Haeberli

et al. 2005

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

265

181

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Abstract.A massive rock/ice avalanche of about 100×10 6 m 3 volume took place on the northern slope of the Kazbek massif, North Ossetia, Russian Caucasus, on 20 September 2002. The avalanche started as a slope failure, that almost completely entrained Kolka glacier, traveled down the Genaldon valley for 20 km, was stopped at the entrance of the Karmadon gorge, and was finally succeeded by a distal mudflow which continued for another 15 km. The event caused the death of ca. 140 people and massive destruction. Several aspects of the event are extraordinary, i.e. the large ice volume involved, the extreme initial acceleration, the high flow velocity, the long travel distance and particularly the erosion of a valley-type glacier, a process not known so far. The analysis of these aspects is essential for process understanding and worldwide glacial hazard assessments. This study is therefore concerned with the analysis of processes and the evaluation of the most likely interpretations. The analysis is based on QuickBird satellite images, field observations, and ice-, flow-and thermomechanical considerations. QuickBird is currently the best available satellite sensor in terms of ground resolution (0.6 m) and opens new perspectives for assessment of natural hazards. Evaluation of the potential of QuickBird images for assessment of high-mountain hazards shows the feasibility for detailed avalanche mapping and analysis of flow dynamics, far beyond the capabilities of conventional satellite remote sensing. It is shown that the avalanche was characterized by two different flows. The first one was comparable to a hyperconcentrated flow and was immediately followed by a flow with a much lower concentration of water involving masCorrespondence to: C. Huggel ( chuggel@geo.unizh.ch) sive volumes of ice. The high mobility of the avalanche is likely related to fluidization effects at the base of the moving ice/debris mass with high pore pressures and a continuous supply of water due to frictional melting of ice. The paper concludes with implications of the Kolka/Karmadon event for worldwide glacial hazard assessments. It is emphasized that situations with large glacierized high-mountain walls with potentially unstable glaciers within impact distance need special attention and monitoring efforts.

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“…With the flank collapse occurring between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. on 30 October, approximately 750 mm of rain were recorded over some 83 hurricane-affected hours before the disaster. The graph also provides an explanation for the slow official emergency response, and the disbelief in Managua meeting reports of the event at Casita (Kerle and Oppenheimer 2002) -rainfall in the capital was not abnormal. It also illustrates that precipitation in Chinan- dega was episodic rather that continuous, with several high-intensity rainfall events per day.…”

Section: Rainfall During Mitchmentioning

confidence: 97%

New insight into the factors leading to the 1998 flank collapse and lahar disaster at Casita volcano, Nicaragua

2003

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During unusually high rainfall associated with Hurricane Mitch in 1998, a flank collapse leading to a disastrous lahar occurred at Casita volcano, Nicaragua. The lack of a similar failure during a rainfall event of comparable magnitude in 1982 (Tropical Storm Alleta) suggests that additional factors influenced the 1998 collapse. We have investigated the potential contribution of erosional flank undercutting, seismic activity and anthropogenic land-cover change at the collapse site. Except for seismic events prior to Mitch, which may have increased flank instability, none of these factors appears significant. Instead, for failure to occur, the following conditions were required: (1) highly fractured slope material allowing deep and rapid infiltration of meteoric water, (2) a less permeable underlying layer to obstruct drainage, (3) strong, continuous antecedent rainfall to build up high pore-water pressure, and (4) episodic, highintensity precipitation during Mitch to generate recurrent pressure waves. Prerequisite (1) was provided by edificewide deformation towards the south-east, seismic activity and proximity to a prominent fault, and local subsidence. Condition (2) was met by clay-rich layers resulting from hydrothermal alteration. More than 1,900 mm of rain fell in the 6 months prior to Mitch without significant interruption, while intense episodic precipitation occurred during the hurricane, satisfying conditions (3) and (4), respectively. The main difference with Alleta was that it occurred at the beginning of the rainy season and, therefore, without sufficient antecedent rainfall. Anthropogenic activity, including land-cover change, did not affect slope stability (i.e. the hazard). However, vulnerability was generated when two towns were established in the lowlands south of Casita, on top of previous lahar deposits. It was greatly increased when approximately 4 km of forest between the collapse site and the towns were cleared, paving the way for a largely unobstructed debris flow. Deforestation also facilitated erosion along the flanks to provide about 78% of the material contained in the lahar when it destroyed the towns, killing more than 2,500 people.

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Satellite Remote Sensing as a Tool in Lahar Disaster Management

Cited by 55 publications

References 26 publications

Remote sensing of glacier- and permafrost-related hazards in high mountains: an overview

Remote sensing of glacier- and permafrost-related hazards in high mountains: an overview

The 2002 rock/ice avalanche at Kolka/Karmadon, Russian Caucasus: assessment of extraordinary avalanche formation and mobility, and application of QuickBird satellite imagery

New insight into the factors leading to the 1998 flank collapse and lahar disaster at Casita volcano, Nicaragua

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