Two DGPE Students Awarded Undergraduate Research Mini Awards

Vanessa Duran Celis and Maggie Richardson (right) have each been awarded an ECU REDE Undergraduate Research Award. Maggie and Vanessa are seniors in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment and both are using the funding from the award to assist them in conducting research for their undergraduate honors theses. Each has developed a separate research project to assist the USGS Landslide Hazards Program understand how channel curvature (Maggie) and feeder stream gradient (Vanessa) impact debris flow channel avulsion. When debris flows avulse (leave a channel) they often inundate building and other infrastructure and can lead to loss of life.

Vanessa and Maggie will conduct experiments using physical modeling approaches that will help understand how the slope and channel curvature impact the avulsion of debris flows from channels and the extent/magnitude of debris flow inundation once the debris leaves the channel. Multiple modeling simulations will be run and recorded with high-resolution video. The video can be used to determine where and when the avulsion occurs and still images from the video can be used to develop 4D elevation models to map the extent and depth of the debris flow inundation. The experimental results will produce information to inform the USGS inundation models, which are used by hazard managers in Southern California following wildfires and assist with early warning systems during rainstorms.

Maggie’s and Vanessa’s research will be presented this Spring at the 2020-2021 ECU URCA and they will also be recognized in a ceremony during this event for winning this award.