Geomorphological characteristics and the kinematic process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche in Yulong Mountain, China

Rock–ice avalanches have increased in recent years due to global warming. On 12 March 2004, a massive failure of rock mass (9.1×106 m3) originated on the south slope of Yulong Mountain in Yunnan Province and eventually formed the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche, with an H/L ratio of 0.4. In this study, t...

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Main Authors: Ruichen Chen, Jian Chen, Lulu Shi, Zhijiu Cui, Song Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Earth Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2023.1017207/full
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author Ruichen Chen
Jian Chen
Lulu Shi
Zhijiu Cui
Song Chen
author_facet Ruichen Chen
Jian Chen
Lulu Shi
Zhijiu Cui
Song Chen
author_sort Ruichen Chen
collection DOAJ
description Rock–ice avalanches have increased in recent years due to global warming. On 12 March 2004, a massive failure of rock mass (9.1×106 m3) originated on the south slope of Yulong Mountain in Yunnan Province and eventually formed the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche, with an H/L ratio of 0.4. In this study, the geomorphological characteristics, sedimentary characteristics, and emplacement process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche were analyzed based on remote sensing interpretation, field investigation, and 2D discrete element modeling. This study suggests that long-term effects, including historical seismic effects and freeze–thaw action, were the key factors in the occurrence of this landslide. Interesting landforms and sedimentary structures found in this case, such as lateral ridges, superelevation, and boat rocks, were used to explain the characteristics of the velocity and the thinning spreading process of the avalanche mass. The numerical simulation further revealed that the entire movement of this rock–ice avalanche lasted about 105 s, with a maximum front velocity of 82 m/s. The underlying substrate rather than the ice is considered to have contributed to the hypermobility of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche. The developed fissures, complex topography, and basal friction were determined to control the progressive fragmentation in this case. Meanwhile, the kinematic process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche was divided into four stages: failure and acceleration, collision deceleration, deceleration spreading, and deformation. The findings of this study contribute to an understanding of the evolution of glacier-related hazards in the high-mountain region.
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spelling doaj.art-013fd92315bf40ed8e219b75a73de01e2023-03-01T06:50:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632023-03-011110.3389/feart.2023.10172071017207Geomorphological characteristics and the kinematic process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche in Yulong Mountain, ChinaRuichen Chen0Jian Chen1Lulu Shi2Zhijiu Cui3Song Chen4School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, ChinaSchool of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, ChinaSchool of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, ChinaCollege of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Urban Geology and Engineering, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang, ChinaRock–ice avalanches have increased in recent years due to global warming. On 12 March 2004, a massive failure of rock mass (9.1×106 m3) originated on the south slope of Yulong Mountain in Yunnan Province and eventually formed the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche, with an H/L ratio of 0.4. In this study, the geomorphological characteristics, sedimentary characteristics, and emplacement process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche were analyzed based on remote sensing interpretation, field investigation, and 2D discrete element modeling. This study suggests that long-term effects, including historical seismic effects and freeze–thaw action, were the key factors in the occurrence of this landslide. Interesting landforms and sedimentary structures found in this case, such as lateral ridges, superelevation, and boat rocks, were used to explain the characteristics of the velocity and the thinning spreading process of the avalanche mass. The numerical simulation further revealed that the entire movement of this rock–ice avalanche lasted about 105 s, with a maximum front velocity of 82 m/s. The underlying substrate rather than the ice is considered to have contributed to the hypermobility of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche. The developed fissures, complex topography, and basal friction were determined to control the progressive fragmentation in this case. Meanwhile, the kinematic process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche was divided into four stages: failure and acceleration, collision deceleration, deceleration spreading, and deformation. The findings of this study contribute to an understanding of the evolution of glacier-related hazards in the high-mountain region.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2023.1017207/fullrock–ice avalanchegeomorphological characteristicskinematic processfreeze–thaw actiondiscrete element modeling
spellingShingle Ruichen Chen
Jian Chen
Lulu Shi
Zhijiu Cui
Song Chen
Geomorphological characteristics and the kinematic process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche in Yulong Mountain, China
Frontiers in Earth Science
rock–ice avalanche
geomorphological characteristics
kinematic process
freeze–thaw action
discrete element modeling
title Geomorphological characteristics and the kinematic process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche in Yulong Mountain, China
title_full Geomorphological characteristics and the kinematic process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche in Yulong Mountain, China
title_fullStr Geomorphological characteristics and the kinematic process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche in Yulong Mountain, China
title_full_unstemmed Geomorphological characteristics and the kinematic process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche in Yulong Mountain, China
title_short Geomorphological characteristics and the kinematic process of the Ganheba rock–ice avalanche in Yulong Mountain, China
title_sort geomorphological characteristics and the kinematic process of the ganheba rock ice avalanche in yulong mountain china
topic rock–ice avalanche
geomorphological characteristics
kinematic process
freeze–thaw action
discrete element modeling
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2023.1017207/full
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