Alpine Erosion

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

erosion ALPINE

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

NARRATIVE

PROCESS This project focuses on the effects of erosion on an alpine-like landscape. The erosion is applied in various levels of intensity to understand how weather conditions over time may affect the terrain and ultimately, the adjacent urban conditions. The image to the left represents the beginning of the erosion process (left) as compared to the final result (right). The three main elements of interest in this study are hydro erosion, thermal erosion, and debris flow.

Part of this study was experimenting with analytical tools that may be used to simulate the effects of erosion on geological terrains. The analytical tool in this study used to generate erosion scenarios was Houdini. By using this tool to create a heightfield, many variations of terrain transitions were created. The ones shown in this portfolio are the most extreme scenarios. First, two levels of hydro erosion are applied to the terrain. Then two layers of thermal erosion are applied.

The highlighted parameters reveal which ones are changing. Only one parameter at a time is altered so that it is clear what effect the setting has on the input terrain. Once each output terrain was obtained in Houdini, the geometry was exported to Rhino to create contour lines of the heightfield terrain in order to better visualize the effects of each

erosion simulation or debris layer applied.

The first stage of research focuses on Innsbruck, Austria, which is a valley located in the Alps. It is a region with a temperate climate and an estimated average 897m of annual precipitation (118.2 rainfall days, 60 snowfall days). The temperature ranges from an average low of -5 degrees Celsius to an average high of 24.7 degrees Celsius. The UV index ranges from 1 in the winter months when there are only about 3 sunshine hours to 8 in the summer months when the sun shines for an average of 7 hours per day despite 55% cloudiness throughout the year.1 The region contains lime-free granite phyllite, a relatively fine soil. Studying debris shift in this area could related to one study done in the Quebec region of Canada which found that 90% of soil loss occurred in the winter when the soil was considered “fine�.2 There is a sinstral fault separating the northern alpine terrain from southern geological formations. The city is directly affected by the geological conditions of the mountains: urban sprawl is limited by the elevation. If no dams existed, water drains directly into the city.3 Directly north of the city center lies the

Hottinger Breccia. Sedimentation that suggests advanced weathering in this area has already occurred. This weathering has caused debris flow accumulation and multiple glaciations in the past which both contributed to the erosion of the alluvial fan.

The alluvial fan is the central focus of the representative heightfield. This is the area directly adjacent to the town center and therefore is the most interesting aspect of the simulated terrain. It is in this area specifically that the contour lines are scaled to a larger view and then a new layer of information is introduced; debris is visualized at different rates underneath the existing contour lines.

Future study on how vegetation specifically affects weathering on the alluvial fan could better predict how erosion may impact the Inn Valley. This study also considered yearly averages when calculating elements such as wind, rain, and heat and focusing more specifically on seasonality could also yield more accurate and interesting results.

1. (https://weatherspark.com/y/70055/Average-Weather-in-Innsbruck-AustriaYear-Round) 2. https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjss87-005 3. (https://www.uibk.ac.at/botany/alpine-garden/allgemeine-informationen/klima/ index.html.en)

AVERAGE WEATHER CONDITIONS 1980-2016

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

HYDRO EROSION Used to simulate downhill water flow such as rainfall.

Erodability: Higher values make the terrain easier to erode Erosion Rate: The rate at which erosion happens Bank Angle: The angle at which the riverbank rests relative to the riverbed. Lower values make wider and flatter river channels. https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/nodes/sop/ heightfield_erode_hydro.html

THERMAL EROSION Weathering caused by frozen rocks thawing and breaking.

Erodability: Higher values make the terrain easier to erode Erosion Rate: The rate at which erosion happens Cut Angle: The angle at which thermal erosion would stop cutting beyond. A lower angle would make the cuts flatter and allow for more erosion to take place. https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/nodes/sop/ heightfield_erode_thermal.html

DEBRIS FLOW Sedimentation has a profound impact on erosion as well as surrounding environmental conditions. It affects the aquatic environment by depositing debris which blocks watershed networks, changes animal habitats, and clears banks of vegetation that can slow erosion.

Increasing precipitation increases the rate of debris being carried down the terrain. A higher evaporation rate due to increased sunlight and heat has the opposite effect on debris.

The majority of soil loss will occur in Winter.

FINDINGS

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA Camera 31km | 12km x 12km

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INN VALLEY An ENE-WSW sinstral fault separates the Northern Calcareous Alps from the geologiccal units to the south.(1) The Inn Valley has distinct terraces including that of Hungerburgterrasse to the North.

This region is adjacent to the center of the city. https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/GeoAlp_013_0215-0228.pdf

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HUNGERBERK REGION Camera 14km | 6km x 6km

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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HOTTINGER BRECCIA A well-preserved fossil flora in this region that indicates quarternary sediments predating the last glacial maximum. Analysis of sedimentation in this region suggests advanced weathering that caused debris flow accumulation and multiple glaciations in the past which both contributed to the erosion of the alluvial fan. https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/GeoAlp_013_0215-0228.pdf

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VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

ALPINE LANDSCAPE Simulation

TOP VIEW

PERSPECTIVE

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

IALPINE SECTION Representative Conditions

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Glaciers

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Brushwood Tree Line

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Foehn Wind distrubutes snow Tree Line Thickens

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Scattered Buildings Urban 2000m

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VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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HEIGHTFIELD is created to mimic the condition of the peak adjacent to a valley to understand the potential effects of erosion to the urban landscape.

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TOP VIEW contour lines 5m

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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HEIGHTFIELD is enlarged at the region of the alluvial fan.

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ORIGINAL VIEW

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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HYDRO EROSION

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Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

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Glaciers

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VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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HYDRO EROSION

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Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

RIVER BANKS with sharp inclines will continue to be carved out, increasing the rate of water flow in steeper areas.

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FLATLANDS become more extreme while maintaining size and shape.

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VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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HYDRO EROSION

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Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 1 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

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TOP VIEW contour lines 5m

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 1 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

RIVER BANKS

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with small angles relative to the riverbed will have lower and flatter river channels. Water will be more stagnant.

FIELD CONDITIONS merge with the aggressive flattening of the terrain. Soil is loosened.

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VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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THERMAL EROSION

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Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 75 Frame 20

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VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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THERMAL EROSION

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Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 75 Frame 20

GLACIERS melt and re-freeze.Thermal

erosion is weathering caused by frozen rocks thawing and breaking.

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VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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THERMAL EROSION

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VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

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Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 50 Frame 20

TERRAIN is breakingW down evenly in this extreme condition.

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WEATHERING is more pronounced when there is a higher rate of melting and freezing, 100

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VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

HEIGHTFIELD is created to mimic the condition of the peak adjacent to a valley to understand the potential effects of erosion to the urban landscape.

TOP VIEW SUMMARY contour lines 5m

HYDRO EROSION 1.1

HYDRO EROSION 1.2

THERMAL EROSION 2.1

THERMAL EROSION 2.2

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 1 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 75 Frame 20

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 50 Frame 20

TOP VIEW SUMMARY contour lines 5m

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

HYDRO EROSION 1.1

HYDRO EROSION ZOOM

HYDRO EROSION DEBRIS

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20 Precipitation

HYDRO EROSION 1.2

HYDRO EROSION ZOOM

HYDRO EROSION DEBRIS

HYDRO EROSION DEBRIS

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 1 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 1 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 1 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20 Precipitation

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 1 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20 Precipitation

HYDRO EROSION DEBRIS Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20 Precipitation

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

TOP VIEW SUMMARY contour lines 5m

THERMAL EROSION 2.1

THERMAL EROSION ZOOM

THERMAL EROSION DEBRIS

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 75 Frame 20

THERMAL EROSION DEBRIS

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 75 Frame 20

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 75 Frame Precipitation

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 75 Frame Precipitation

THERMAL EROSION 2.2

THERMAL EROSION ZOOM

THERMAL EROSION DEBRIS

THERMAL EROSION DEBRIS

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 50 Frame 20

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 50 Frame 20

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 50 Frame Precipitation

Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Cut Angle 50 Frame Precipitation

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020

TOP VIEW SUMMARY contour lines 5m

HYDRO EROSION ZOOM Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

HYDRO EROSION DEBRIS Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20 Precipitation

HYDRO EROSION 1.1 Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20

HYDRO EROSION DEBRIS Erodability 2 Erosion Rate 1 Bank Angle 90 Spread Iterations 174 Frame 20 Precipitation

VU LANDSCAPE AND TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES Alexandra Morales | 27.05.2020