Mudflow

A general term for a mass-movement landform and a process characterized by a flowing mass of predominantly fine-grained earth material possessing a high degree of fluidity during movement. The degree of fluidity is revealed by the observed rate of movement or by the distribution and morphology of the resulting deposit. Mudflows are intermediate members of a gradational series of processes characterized by varying proportions of water, clay, and rock debris. The water content of mudflows may range up to 60%. The degree of water bonding, determined by the clay content and mineralogy, critically affects the viscosity of the matrix and the velocity and morphology of the flow. With increasing fluidity, mudflows grade into loaded and clear streams; with a decrease in fluidity, they grade into earthflows. Also spelled: mud flow. Neuendorf, K.K.E., Mehl, J.P., Jr., and Jackson, J.A., eds., 2011, Glossary of Geology: Alexandria, Virginia, American Geological Institute, 799 p.

Below is a list of publications related to Mudflow. Select a publication number to access more detailed information and their respective files available for download.

RI 2019-8

Koehler, R.D., Reger, D.R., Spangler, E.R., and Hubbard, T.D., 2019, Assessment of geomorphology and geologic hazards in the Parks Highway-Minto Flats-Dalton Highway infrastructure corridor: Cook Inlet to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2019-8, 82 p., 4 sheets. https://doi.org/10.14509/30100

DDS 13

Cameron, C.E., and Snedigar, S.F., 2016, Alaska Volcano Observatory image database: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Digital Data Series 13, https://www.avo.alaska.edu/images/. https://doi.org/10.14509/29689

SIM 3340

Wilson, F.H., Hults, C.P., Mull, C.G., and Karl, S.M., 2015, Geologic map of Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3340, 196 p., 2 sheets, scale 1:1,584,000, https://alaska.usgs.gov/science/geology/state_map/interactive_map/AKgeologic_map.html.