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Scientific article
Open access
English

Assessing Subaquatic Mass Movement Hazards: an Integrated Observational and Hydrodynamic Modelling Approach

Publication date2020
Abstract

High-resolution lake and reservoir bathymetric surveys can pinpoint locations that may experience underwater landslides (subaquatic sedimentary mass movements). These can pose a risk to underwater and shoreline infrastructure. This paper outlines an approach for using spatial variation in sedimentary patterns to identify areas susceptible to subaquatic mass movements in lakes and reservoirs. This study focusses on Lake Biel (Switzerland),which has experienced a protracted history of upstream alteration of river flow. Altered flow patterns increase risk of unstable sedimentary features and subaquatic mass movements. Data from sediment traps and cores, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers and results from a 3D hydrodynamic model gave a consistent picture of spatial and temporal variation in weather-related sedimentation. Erosion caused by short-term rain events contributes the largest proportion of sediments to the lake. Strong rain events combine with typical wind patterns to drive lake circulation. The net effect results in preferential sedimentation onto a steeply sloping shelf prone to subaquatic slides. The integrated approach outlined here incorporates short- and long-term sediment dynamics to provide a systematic assessment of lake sedimentation and potential mass movement hazards. This research represents a first step in developing a risk-evaluation tool for aquatic hazard evaluation.

Keywords
  • Lake
  • Bathymetry
  • Lake Biel
  • Subaquatic mass movement
  • Switzerland
  • Sediment
  • Lake sedimentation/hydrodynamic model
  • Wind pattern/current/mass movement hazard
  • Lake hazard
  • 21st century
  • Coastal infrastructure
  • Weather-dependent sedimentation
  • River redirection
  • Geological engineering
  • Risk evaluation tool
Citation (ISO format)
RÅMAN VINNÅ, Love et al. Assessing Subaquatic Mass Movement Hazards: an Integrated Observational and Hydrodynamic Modelling Approach. In: Water Resources Management, 2020. doi: 10.1007/s11269-020-02660-y
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Article (Published version)
Identifiers
ISSN of the journal0920-4741
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260downloads

Technical informations

Creation09/11/2020 10:24:00 AM
First validation09/11/2020 10:24:00 AM
Update time03/15/2023 10:33:09 PM
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