Seismic Measurements of Roll Waves in Debris Flows

Accurate debris-flow modelling depends on the ability to simulate surging and pulsing behaviour. However, our understanding of these phenomena is starved observational constraints. Here we propose use seismic measurements, which resolve arrival coarse-grained roll wave fronts in debris flows at Illgraben, Switzerland. Roll waves likely play a key role flow pulses but are typically only observed with point measurements like depth gauges. We compare in-torrent force plate near-torrent records discuss how data can test existing theories.