Magnitude potential and susceptibility of watersheds to the occurrence of debris flow: evaluation of proposal of national index

• Grant number: 18/08402-4
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Physical Geography
• Principal researcher: Bianca Carvalho Vieira
• Grantee: Vivian Cristina Dias
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/11223-7 - Evaluation of methods to debris-flows analysis and its application in Brazil., BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Debris flows are one of the most destructive types of mass movement due the transport potential in long distances of large boulders and others materials. Several conditioning factors are related to the occurrence of debris flows, highlighting the watersheds dynamics and its morphometric chacacteristics. In Brazil, the studies about debris flow are importante due both the reccurrence of the process and the high number of deaths and homeless, and also economic losses. As explained above, the main goal of this project is the evaluation and validation of the index of magnitude potential and susceptibility to the occurrence of debris flow in watersheds in Brazil. To achive this goal, it was estabilished the follow methodological steps: (a) selection of watersheds in diferentes places; (b) mapping and evaluation of the morphometric parameters; (c) determinantion of the morphology and magnitude of past debris flows; and (d) application and validation of the index of magnitude potential and susceptibility. The research is based in the hypothesis that the index of magnitude potential and susceptibility to the occurrence of debris flow proposed from the evaluation of debris flow occurrence in Caraguatatuba/SP can be apply in diferentes areas all over the country, and can be a accessible alternative to the govermnents and managers to the determination of the susctible areas and the magnitude potential of debris flow in the watershed. As results, it is expected a better understandment of the debris flow dynamics related to the geomorphology and to contribute to futures prevention actions of natural hazards in the country. (AU)