Magnitude–frequency characteristics and preparatory factors for spatial debris-slide distribution in the northern Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean are highly susceptible to debris-avalanches and debris-flows originating from debris-slide activity in shallow colluvial soils. To provide data for hazard and risk assessment of debris-avalanches and debris-flows, this study aims at quantifying the magnitude and frequency of their debris-slide origins as well as identifying which preparatory factors are responsible for the spatial debris-slide distribution in the landscape. For that purpose a debris-slide inventory was generated from aerial photo interpretation (API), fieldwork and anecdotal sources, covering a 159 km2 study area in the northern Faroe Islands. A magnitude–cumulative frequency (MCF) curve was derived to predict magnitude dependant debris-slide frequencies, while preparatory factors responsible for spatial debris-slide distribution were quantified through GIS-supported discriminant function analysis (DFA). Nine factors containing geological (lithology, dip), geomorphological (slope angle, altitude, aspect, plan and profile curvature) and land use (infield/outfield, sheep density) information were included in the multivariate analysis. Debris-slides larger than 100 m2 with magnitude expressed as topographic scar area can be predicted from the power–law function: Y = 936.26X− 1.277, r2 = 0.98 while a physical explanation is preferred for the roll-over pattern of smaller slope failures. The DFA is able to correctly classify app. 70% of the modeled terrain units into their pre-determined stable/unstable groups. Preparatory factors responsible for the spatial debris-slide distribution are aspect, slope angle, sheep density, plan curvature and altitude, while influence of the remaining factors is negligible.

► This study models spatial/temporal debris-slide occurrence in the Faroe Islands.
► Magnitude–frequency data are derived mainly from aerial photograph interpretation.
► Spatial analysis is performed by use of discriminant function analysis.
► Debris-slides above a roll-over at 100 m2 are power–law distributed.
► Key preparatory factors are slope angle, aspect, sheep density, plan curvature and altitude.