Debris flow hazard and risk assessment, Jones Creek, Washington

Debris flows are one of the most hazardous landslide processes worldwide. In recent years, some 30,000 people have died through debris flows resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. While locations with a high frequency of debris flows are easily recognized and can thus be avoided or otherwise mitigated, low frequency debris flows may pose a bigger threat because failure to recognize the process and potential consequences may lead to development along the channel or in the runout zone.