Evaluation of methods to debris-flows analysis and its application in Brazil

• Grant number: 19/11223-7
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Physical Geography
• Principal Investigator: Bianca Carvalho Vieira
• Grantee: Vivian Cristina Dias
• Supervisor abroad: Scott Mcdougall
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Local de pesquisa : University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 18/08402-4 - Magnitude potential and susceptibility of watersheds to the occurrence of debris flow: evaluation of proposal of national index, BP.DR

Abstract

Debris flows are one of the most destructive types of mass movement due to its capability to transport and entrainment of different materials through long distances. Despite the high number of catastrophic occurrences related to the process, researches about debris flows are still limited when compared with another process, such as landslides. Similarly, it is needing the deepening of studies about debris flows and evaluation analysis, aiming to avoid new casualties. Thereby, the main goal of this project for this internship the evaluation of debris flow's analyses methodologies used in Vancouver, Canada, and its applicability in Serra do Mar Mountain Range, in Brazil, in order to favor a better understanding of the process. To achieve this goal, were established the following steps: (a) field works to areas with occurrence of debris flow; (b) evaluation of methodologies of study and the viability of its application in Brazil; and (c) mapping of debris-flow characteristics. As a major contribution of this research, there is an increase in the knowledge about debris flows and the possibility to use new methodologies to evaluate debris-flow occurrence in Brazil.