Modelling combined subaerial-subaqueous flow-like landslides by cellular automata

Abstract

Macroscopic Cellular Automata characterize a methodological approach for modelling large scale (extended for kilometres) complex acentric phenomena, e.g. surface flows as lava flows, debris flows etc.. This paper concerns the extension of such a method in order to simulate combined subaerial-subaqueous flow-like landslides. The occurrence of heterogeneous interacting processes requires a more physical description of the energy balance and an explicit velocity management. The model SCIDDICA-SS2 proposes some empirical solutions, such as the computation at each step and inside each cell, of departing flows which are characterized by their mass centre position and velocity. An application to combined subaerial-subaqueous landslide is exhibited together with simulation results of the 1997 Albano lake (Rome, Italy) debris flow. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.