Anthropogenic debris flows in Sakhalin
The problem of the interaction between human activity and mudflow processes is currently important for the Sakhalin Island, where debris flow occurrences have been repeatedly observed in recent decades. At the present time, this interaction increases due to the extension urban territories into debris flows transit and accumulation zones, including rock spoil heaps in debris flow prone areas. This paper describes several debris flow occurrences associated with human activity in Sakhalin, as well as the characteristics of anthropogenic debris flows and consequent damage. An evaluation of changes in debris flow activity in flow prone zones was carried out based on field observations and satellite image analysis. It is suggested that the most serious damage is caused by debris flows occurences from quarries because of the large sizes of rock spoil heaps.