Tree-ring based reconstruction of the seasonal timing, major events and origin of rockfall on a case-study slope in the Swiss Alps

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science

Volumn 8, Issue 2, 2008, Pages 203-211

  Schneuwly, D M ^a   Stoffel, M ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF FRIBOURG   (Switzerland)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ANALYTICAL METHOD; ANNUAL VARIATION; INJURY; PRECIPITATION (CLIMATOLOGY); RECONSTRUCTION; RESIN; ROCKFALL; SEASONALITY; SLOPE; TREE RING;

ALPS; CENTRAL EUROPE; EURASIA; EUROPE; SAAS BALEN; SWITZERLAND; VALAIS;

EID: 40649088203     PISSN: 15618633     EISSN: 16849981     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.5194/nhess-8-203-2008     Document Type: Article

References (51)

1. Azzoni, A., Barbera, G. L., and Zaninetti, A.: Analysis and prediction of rockfalls using a mathematical model, Int. J. Rock. Mech. Min., 32, 709-24, 1995.
2. Bearth, P.: Geologischer Atlas der Schweiz 1:25000, Niklaus, (Atlasblatt 71), Schweizerische Geologische Kommission, 1980.
3. Bearth, P.: Geologischer Atlas der Schweiz 1:25000, Simplon, (Atlasblatt 61), Schweizerische Geologische Kommission, 1973.
4. Berger, F., Quetel, C., and Dorren, L. K. A.: Forest: A natural protection mean against rockfall, but with which efficiency? The objectives and methodology of the ROCKFOR project, Interpavement 2002, 2, 815-826, 2002.
5. Bollschweiler, M., Stoffel, M., Schneuwly, D. M., and Bourqui, K.: Traumatic resin ducts in Larix decidua stems impacted by debris flows, Tree Physiol., 28, 255-263, 2008.
6. Bozzolo, D., Pamini, R., and Hutter, K.: Rockfall analysis - a mathematical model and its test with field data, Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Landslides in Lausanne, Rotterdam, Balkema, 555-60, 1986.
7. Braam, R. R., Weiss, E. E. J., and Burrough, P. A.: Spatial and temporal analysis of mass movement using dendrochronology, Catena, 14, 573-584, 1987.
8. Bräker, O. U.: Measuring and data processing in tree-ring research - a methodological introduction, Dendrochronologia, 20, 203-216, 2002.
9. Butler, D. R.: Rockfall hazard inventory, Ram River, Mackenzie Mountains, The Canadian Geographer, 27, 2, 175-178, 1983.
10. Coe, J. A. and Harp, E. L.: Influence of tectonic folding on rockfall susceptibility, American Fork Canyon, Utah, USA, Nat. Hazards Earth. Syst. Sci., 7, 1-14, 2007, http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/7/1/2007/.
11. Davies, M. C. R., Hamza, O., and Harris, C.: The effect of rise in mean annual temperature on the stability of rock slopes containing ice-filled discontinuities, Permafrost Periglac., 12, 1, 137-144, 2001.
12. Dorren, L. K. A., Berger, F., and Putters, U. S.: Real size experiments and 3D simulation of rockfall on forested and non-forested slopes, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 6, 145-153, 2006, http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/6/ 145/2006/.
13. Douglas, G. R.: Magnitude frequency study of rockfall in Co. Antrim, N. Ireland, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 5, 2, 123-129, 1980.
14. Erismann, T. H.: Flowing, rolling, bouncing, sliding, synopsis of basic mechanisms, Acta Mech., 64, 101-110, 1986.
15. Evans, S. G. and Hungr, O.: The assessment of rockfall hazard at the base of talus slopes, Can. Geotech. J., 30, 620-36, 1993.
16. Gardner, J.: Rockfall frequency and distribution in the Highwood Pass area, Canadian Rocky Mountains, Z. Geomorphol., 27, 311-24, 1983.
17. Gardner, J. S.: Frequency, magnitude, and spatial distribution of mountain rockfalls and rockslides in the Highwood Pass Area, Alberta, Canada, in: Thresholds in Geomorphology, edited by: Coates, R., Vitek, J. D., Allen and Unwin, New York, 267-295, 1980.
18. Gruber, S., Hoelzle, M., and Haeberli, W.: Permafrost thaw and destabilization of Alpine rock walls in the hot summer of 2003, Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L13504, doi:10.1029/2004GL020051, 2004.
19. Guzzetti, F., Crosta, G., Detti, R., and Agliardi, F.: STONE: a computer program for the three-dimensional simulation of rock-falls, Computers and Geosciences, 28, 9, 1079-1093, 2002.
20. Hall, K.: Evidence for freeze-thaw events and their implications for rock weathering in northern Canada. II. The temperature at which water freezes in rock, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 32, 2, 249-259, 2007.
21. Harp, E. L. and Wilson, R. C.: Shaking intensity thresholds for rock falls and slides: Evidence from 1987 Whittier Narrows and superstition hills earthquake strong-motion records, B. Seismol. Soc. Am., 85, 6, 1739-1757, 1995.
22. Hungr, O. and Evans, S. G.: Engineering evaluation of fragmental rockfall hazards, Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Landslides in Lausanne, Rotterdam, Balkema, 685-90, 1988.
23. Kirkby, M. J. and Statham, I.: Surface stone movement and scree formation, J. Geol., 83, 349-62, 1975.
24. Lafortune, M., Filion, L., and Hétu, B.: Dynamique d'un front forestier sur un talus d'éboulis actif en climat tempéré froid (Gaspésie, Québec), Géogr. Phys. Quat, 51, 1, 1-15, 1997.
25. Luckman, B. H.: Rockfalls and rockfall inventory data; some observations from the Surprise Valley, Jasper National Park, Canada, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 1, 287-98, 1976.
26. Luckman, B. H. and Fiske, C. J.: Estimating long-term rockfall accretion rates by lichenometry, Slaymaker, O. (Ed.), Steepland Geomorphology, Wiley, Chichester, 233-255, 1995.
27. Marzorati, S., Luzi, L., and De Amicis, M.: Rock falls induced by earthquakes: a statistical approach, Soil Dyn. Earthq. Eng., 22, 7, 565-577, 13, 2002.
28. Matsuoka, N.: Frost wedging and rockfalls on high mountain rock slopes: 11 years of observations in the Swiss Alps, Geophys. Res. Abstr., 8, 05344, European Geosciences Union, 2006.
29. Matsuoka, N. and Sakai, H.: Rockfall activity from an alpine cliff during thawing periods, Geomorphology, 28, 3, 309-328, 1999.
30. McCarroll, D., Shakesby, R. A., and Matthews, J. S.: Spatial and temporal patterns of Late Holocene rockfall activity on a Norwegian talus slope: lichenometry and simulation-modelling approach, Arct. Alp. Res., 30, 51-60, 1998.
31. Müller, H.-N.: Jahrringwachstum und Klimafaktoren: Beziehungen zwischen Jahrringwachstum von Nadelbaumarten und Klimafaktoren an verschiedenen Standorten im Gebiet des Simplonpasses (Wallis, Schweiz), Forstl. Bundes-Versuchsanst., Wien 25, Agrarverlag, Wien, p. 81, 1980.
32. Okura, Y., Kitahara, H., Sammori, T., and Kawanami, A.: The effects of rockfall volume on runout distance, Eng. Geol., 58, 2, 109-124(16), 2000.
33. Perret, S., Stoffel, M., and Kienholz, H.: Spatial and temporal rockfall activity in a forest stand in the Swiss Prealps - a dendrogeomorphological case study, Geomorphology, 74, 219-231, 2006.
34. Ritchie, A. M.: Evaluation of rockfall and its control, Washington, DC: Highway Research Board, National Research Council, Highway Research Record, 17, 13-28, 1963.
35. Ruppen, P. J., Imseng, G., and Imseng, W.: Saaser Chronik 1200-1979, Rotten-Verlag, Brig, p. 54, 1979.
36. Sass, O.: Temporal Variability of Rockfall in the Bavarian Alps, Germany, Arct. Antarct. Alp. Res., 37, 4, 564-573, 2005.
37. Schweingruber, F. H.: Tree Rings and Environment, Dendroecology, Paul Haupt, Bern, p. 82, 1996.
38. Schweingruber, F. H.: Holzanatomie, Paul Haupt, Bern, 334-345, 2001.
39. Shroder, J. F.: Dendrogeomorphology: Review and new techniques of tree-ring dating, Prog. Phys. Geog., 4, 161-188, 1980.
40. SMI (Swiss Meteorological Institute): Annals of the Swiss Meteorological Institute, daily precipitation sums 1982-2007, Zurich, http://www.sma.ch, 2007.
41. Solomina, O. N.: Dendrogeomorphology: Research Requirements, Dendrochronologia, 20, 1, 231-243, 2002.
42. Statham, I. and Francis, S. C.: Influence of scree accumulation and weathering on the development of steep mountain slopes, Abrahams, A. D. (Ed.), Hillslope processes, Winchester, Allen and Unwin Inc., 245-67, 1986.
43. Stoffel, M., Schneuwly, D., Bollschweiler, M., Lièvre, I., Delaloye, R., Myint, M., and Monbaron, M.: Analyzing rockfall activity (1600-2002) in a protection forest - a case study using dendrogeomorphology, Geomorphology, 68, (3-4), 224-241, 2005a.
44. Stoffel, M., Lièvre, I., Monbaron, M., and Perret, S.: Seasonal timing of rockfall activity on a forested slope at Täschgufer (Valais, Swiss Alps) - a dendrochronological approach, Z. Geomorphologie, 49, 1, 89-106, 2005b.
45. Stoffel, M., Bollschweiler, M., and Hassler, G.-R.: Differentiating past events on a cone influenced by debris-flow and snow avalanche activity - a dendrogeomorphological approach, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 31, 1424-1437, 2006a.
46. Stoffel, M., Wehrli, A., Kühne, R., Dorren, L. K. A., Perret, S., and Kienholz, H.: Assessing the protective effect of mountain forests against rockfall using a 3D simulation model, Forest. Ecol. Manag., 225, 113-122, 2006b.
47. Stoffel, M., Conus, D., Grichting, M. A., Lièvre, I., and Mâitre, G.: Unraveling the patterns of late Holocene debris-flow activity on a cone in the Swiss Alps: Chronology, environment and implications for the future, Global Planetary Change, 60, 222-234, 2008.
48. Stoffel, M.: Dating past geomorphic processes with tangential rows of traumatic resin ducts, Dendrochronologia, in press, 2008.
49. Stokes, M. A. and Smiley, T. L.: An Introduction to Tree-Ring Dating, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 73 pp., 1968.
50. Timell, T. E.: Compression wood in gymnosperms, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2150 pp., 1986.
51. Wiles, G. C., Calkin, P. E., and Jacoby, G. C.: Tree-ring analysis and Quaternary geology: Principles and recent applications, Geomorphology, 16, 259-272, 1996.