Debris flow in five adjacent gullies in a limestone mountain range

Debris-flows are infrequent Geomorphic phenomena that shape steep valleys and can represent a severe hazard for human settlements and infrastructure. In this study, a debris-flow event chronology has been derived at the regional scale within the Gesäuse National Park (Styria, Austria) using dendrogeomorphic techniques. Sediment sources and deposition areas were mapped by combined field investigation and aerial photography using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Through the analysis of 384 trees, a total of 47 debris-flows occurring in 19 years between AD 1903 and 2008 were identified in five adjacent gullies. Our results highlight the local variability of debris-flow activity as a result of local thunderstorms and the variable availability of sediment sources.