From SwissExperiment

TRAMM

The primary focus of this research poly-project is on enhancing understanding of triggering and initiation mechanisms, including the transition from slow to fast mass movement processes, and flow characteristics of such catastrophic mass movements. We will study the roles of heterogeneity and criticality of hydro-mechanical hill-slope processes on the onset of snow avalanches, landslides, and debris flows. An innovative feature will be the formulation of a framework that capitalizes on similarities between snow avalanches, landslides, and debris flows. Synergies between hydrologically-driven mass movements will also be exploited in the development of experimental, statistical and analytical methods.

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Images

Steep hillslope at Wiler (Lötschental) equipped with soil moisture sensors, tensiometers and runoff gutters - view from below. Copyright by Manfred Stähli, WSL, Birmensdorf.

Experimental hillslope during an artificial irrigation from above. Copyright by Manfred Stähli, WSL, Birmensdorf.

Irrigation system at the upper edge of the steep hillslope at Wiler (Lötschental). Copyright by Manfred Stähli, WSL, Birmensdorf.