Analysing debris flow impact in Upper Svaneti, Georgia: investigating triggering factors and runout dynamics

A critical rainfall threshold of over 7 days has been identified as sufficient to trigger debris flow failures in the deposition zones of Upper Svaneti, Georgia. This finding, derived from a combination of numerical modeling and high-resolution UAV data analysis, highlights the region's vulnerability to increasing extreme weather events. The study employed TRIGRS and RAMMS models to simulate slope instability and runout dynamics, respectively, using laboratory-tested soil samples and historical rainfall records for validation. While the models accurately predicted detachment zones in a 2022 event, deposit heights were slightly underestimated, suggesting potential underestimation of hazard risks under moderate rainfall conditions if residual materials are remobilized. These insights provide actionable data for hazard mitigation strategies, early warning systems, and regional planning to address growing concerns in mountainous regions.

Mehrpajouh, A., & Engel, J. (2025). Analysing debris flow impact in Upper Svaneti, Georgia: investigating triggering factors and runout dynamics. International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 19(10), 943–966. https://doi.org/10.1080/19386362.2025.2574594