On the incidence of debris flows from the early Little Ice Age to a future greenhouse climate: A case study from the Swiss Alps

Stoffel, Markus; Beniston, Martin

doi:10.1029/2006GL026805

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Journal article

On the incidence of debris flows from the early Little Ice Age to a future greenhouse climate: A case study from the Swiss Alps

Stoffel, Markus University of Fribourg, Laboratory of Dendrogeomorphology, Department of Geosciences, Geography, Switzerland
Beniston, Martin Institute of Geography, Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

24.08.2006

Published in:

Geophysical Research Letters. - 2006, vol. 33, p. L16404

English Tree-ring based reconstructions of 123 debris-flow events in a case-study area of the Swiss Alps since AD 1570 show enhanced activity during the wet periods (1864–1895) following the last LIA glacier advance and in the early decades of the 20th century. In contrast, comparably low activity can be observed since 1995, with only one event recorded. From the reconstructions and based on RCM simulations, there are indications that debris-flow frequencies might continue to decrease in a future climate, as precipitation events are projected to occur less frequently in summer but become more common in spring or fall.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Département de Géosciences

Language