r.randomwalk

r.randomwalk simulates propagation of rapid geophysical mass flows by routing mass points from defined release pixels through digital elevation models (DEMs) using a constrained random walk to represent lateral spreading and to enable forward and backward analyses.

Key Features:

• Constrained random walk: Implements a constrained random walk to produce lateral spreading during simulations.
• Mass-point routing: Routes mass points from defined release pixels through digital elevation models (DEMs) until specified break criteria are met.
• Forward and backward analyses: Supports both forward- and backward-modeling of mass movement dynamics.
• Visualization capabilities: Provides functionality for visualizing simulated mass point trajectories and propagation patterns.
• Validation processes: Includes validation processes for assessing simulation outputs against case-study observations.
• Parameter sensitivity analysis: Offers parameter sensitivity analysis to evaluate the influence of model parameters on results.
• Optimization functions: Provides optimization functions to refine model parameters for improved fit to observations.
• Multi-scale applicability: Applicable to both detailed case studies and broader-scale analyses of mass movement dynamics.

Scientific Applications:

• Rapid geophysical mass-flow modeling: Simulates propagation behavior of rapid geophysical mass flows such as avalanches and rockslides.
• Case-study and regional analysis: Used for both detailed site-specific investigations and larger-scale landscape analyses of mass movement dynamics.
• Acheron rock avalanche simulation: Has been applied to simulate the Acheron rock avalanche in New Zealand.

Methodology:

Routes mass points from defined release pixels through digital elevation models (DEMs) until specified break criteria are met, employing a constrained random walk to enforce lateral spreading and supporting forward and backward analyses.