Numerical Modelling Based on Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Analysis of Debris Flow at Rinjani Volcano, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract

Debris flow is a disaster occurring in cases where a sediment particle flows at high speed, down to the slope, and usually with high viscosity and speed. This disaster is very destructive and human life-threatening, especially in mountainous areas. As one of the world’s active volcanoes in the world, Rinjani had the capacity to produce over 3 million m3 volume material in the 2015 eruption alone. Therefore, this study proposes a numerical model analysis to predict the debris flow release area (erosion) and deposition, as well as the discharge, flow height, and velocity. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was analyzed in ArcGIS, to acquire the Cartesian coordinates and “hillshade” form. This was also used as a method to produce vulnerable areas in the Jangkok watershed. Meanwhile, the Rapid Mass Movement Simulation (RAMSS) numerical modeling was simulated using certain parameters including volume, friction, and density, derived from the DEM analysis results and assumptions from similar historical events considered as the best-fit rheology. In this study, the release volume was varied at 1,000,000 m3, 2,000,000 m3, and 3,000,000 m3, while the simulation results show movement, erosion, and debris flow deposition in Jangkok watershed. This study is bound to be very useful in mitigating debris flow as disaster anticipation and is also expected to increase community awareness, as well as provide a reference for structural requirements, as a debris flow prevention.