H.Y. Hussin

Assessing the Effect of Mitigation Measures on Landslide Hazard Using 2D Numerical Runout Modelling

Landslide mitigation measures are used to reduce the risk affecting mountain communities. The quantitative estimation of the change or reduction in risk, after implementing mitigation measures, requires modeling of past events and the forward prediction of possible future occurences. However, the forward-prediction of landslide hazard is subjected to uncertainties due to the lack of knowledge on some key aspects like the possible source volume that can be triggered and model parameters that determine the landslide runout. In this study, a back-analysis of a debris flow event was carried out using MassMov2D to create a set of parameter ranges for forward-predicting runouts with mitigation measures. We approached the issue of uncertainty by systematically sampling parameters from wide ranges and running hundreds of different runout scenarios. Simulations from back-analysis were compared with the forward-predicted models to determine changes in the spread and intensity of debris flows affecting elements at risk (e.g. houses and roads). This study is a first step towards a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) being carried out within the EC FP-7 funded CHANGES network (Grant Agreement No. 263953).

Forest management and future changes to ecosystem services in the Romanian Carpathians

This study investigates consequences of future changes to the provision of ecosystem services (ES) in the Romanian Carpathians. Two 2040 forest management scenarios were compared, using two indicators to describe the gains and losses of ES. Changes in landslide regulation potential were defined as changes to landslide susceptibility. High nature value grasslands characterized biodiversity support. The business as usual scenario results in a 8% lower loss of landslide regulation potential compared to the alternative scenario. It also results in a 29% higher regional net gain of landslide regulation potential. Both scenarios result in the loss of biodiversity support due to their prevalent transition of forest expansion. This type of information is crucial for informing decision makers on the locations of potential gains and losses of future development.

Multi-scale debris flow vulnerability assessment and direct loss estimation of buildings in the Eastern Italian Alps

Abstract Vulnerability assessment, as a component of the consequence analysis, represents a fundamental stage in the risk assessment process because it relates the hazard intensity to the characteristics of the built environment that make it susceptible to damage and loss. The objective of this work is to develop a quantitative methodology for vulnerability and loss assessment of buildings exposed to debris flows and apply it to a study area in NE Italy at local and regional scale. Using existing conceptual models of vulnerability and loss, this paper seeks to identify solutions for maximizing the information gained from limited observational damage data and a heterogeneous building data set. Two vulnerability models are proposed: Model 1 is based on the generation of empirical vulnerability curves using observed intensities; Model 2 takes into account multiple resistance characteristics of buildings and uses modeled debris flow intensities. The process intensity descriptor in both cases is debris flow height. The vulnerability values obtained with the local (Model 1) and regional (Model 2) models are further multiplied with the building value to calculate the minimum and maximum loss for each building in the study area. Loss is also expressed as cumulative probability calculated with Model 1 using a Monte Carlo sampling technique. The methodology is applied in the Fella River valley (northeastern Italian Alps), a region prone to multiple mountain hazards. Uncertainties are expressed as minimum and maximum values of vulnerability, market values and loss. The results are compared with relevant published vulnerability curves and historical damage reports.