Geologic Publications for Mount Rainier

Seismic characteristics of the transition from debris flow to hyperconcentrated flow, Tahoma Creek, Washington

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Author(s): Katie M. Biegel, Avery E. Conner, Amanda M. Thomas, Alexandra M. Iezzi, Weston A. Thelen, Kate E. Allstadt, Elaine A. Collins, Scott R. Beason, Claire E. Todd

Category: POSTER
Document Type: Poster 8
Publisher: Seismic Investigations of Mass Movements - SSA Environmental Seismology 2025 – Denver, Colorado
Published Year: 2025
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Abstract:
Hyperconcentrated flows and debris flows are two types of high-discharge, highly sedimented flow events. These types of flow can be differentiated by metrics such as the amount of suspended sediment by volume, the maximum size of suspended particles within the flow column, and the critical yield strength of the flow. While there are significant differences in behavior, debris flows and hyperconcentrated flows exist on a continuum, making the transition between them not always clear. In August 2023, a debris flow occurred in Tahoma Creek in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, USA, due to a glacial outburst coinciding with elevated streamflow from the South Tahoma Glacier. This debris flow occurred contemporaneously with a nodal geophone deployment along Tahoma Creek that allowed for close monitoring of the debris flow’s movement through the drainage system. Seismic signals recorded at stations along Tahoma Creek show evidence of the transition from debris flow to hyperconcentrated flow approximately 4.5 km downstream from the glacial source. The waveform characteristics of this transition include the loss of low-frequency energy below 10 Hz, the loss of an abrupt debris flow snout arrival within the main body signal of the flow, and a change in length, shape, and energy distribution within the main body of the signal. This transition from debris flow to hyperconcentrated flow coincides with a gradual flattening of the Tahoma Creek drainage slope and a decrease in the velocity of the debris flow as it moves down the channel. Therefore, the location of this transition in flow state is consistent with the physical system. Identifying this transition in flow state is crucial for assessing the potential hazard posed by debris flows to downstream communities, enabling better forecasts of when such events may lead to heightened hazard or to less impactful flow conditions.

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In Text Citation:
Biegel and others (2025) or (Biegel et al., 2025)

References Citation:
Biegel, K.M., A.E. Conner, A.M. Thomas, A.M. Iezzi, W.A. Thelen, K.E. Allstadt, E.A. Collins, S.R. Beason, and C.E. Todd, 2025, Seismic characteristics of the transition from debris flow to hyperconcentrated flow, Tahoma Creek, Washington: Poster 8, Seismic Investigations of Mass Movements - SSA Environmental Seismology 2025 – Denver, Colorado,