Research Article

Multi-hazard risk mapping in mountainous microcatchments: Integrated avalanche-flood simulations with RAMMS and HEC-RAS

Volume: 8 July 3, 2026

Multi-hazard risk mapping in mountainous microcatchments: Integrated avalanche-flood simulations with RAMMS and HEC-RAS

Abstract

Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme events such as avalanches and floods, particularly in mountainous regions where these hazards may develop concurrently and interactively. Despite growing recognition of the need for integrated risk management, most previous studies have assessed avalanche and flood hazards in isolation. This study presents a microcatchment-scale, physically based multi-hazard modeling framework that combines the RAMMS and HEC-RAS models to assess compound avalanche–flood risks in the Lediz Microcatchment (Bingöl Province, Türkiye), a representative high-risk mountainous basin. Avalanche simulations were performed using RAMMS with validated release areas and flow dynamics, while flood hazards were modeled using 2D HEC-RAS simulations calibrated against historical events and stakeholder observations. Results revealed substantial spatial overlap between high to very high avalanche risk zones and extreme flood hazard areas, particularly affecting settlements such as Dereköy, Şehittepe, Şin, Balgöze, Işıklı, and Palacık. Zones exceeding 15 m/s in avalanche velocity, 100 kPa in dynamic pressure, and flood hazard rating (HR), defined as a function of flow depth and velocity (HR = d × (v + 0.5)), exceeding 2.5, indicate severe structural and socio-economic vulnerability. The findings underscore the critical need to integrate multi-hazard analysis into spatial planning and disaster risk reduction policies, with a particular focus on vulnerable rural landscapes. This study provides a scalable and adaptable modeling framework for identifying compound hazard hotspots, offering novel insights for risk-informed land-use planning and resilience-based disaster management in climate-sensitive mountainous environments.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

N/A

Ethical Statement

In the study, the authors declare that there is no violation of research and publication ethics and that the study does not require ethics committee approval.

Thanks

The authors gratefully acknowledge the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF for providing an academic license of the RAMMS::AVALANCHE simulation software. This support significantly contributed to the development and execution of the avalanche modeling framework presented in this study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Planning and Decision Making, Computational Modelling and Simulation in Earth Sciences

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 3, 2026

Submission Date

December 25, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8

APA
Meral, A., & Yıldız, E. (2026). Multi-hazard risk mapping in mountainous microcatchments: Integrated avalanche-flood simulations with RAMMS and HEC-RAS. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing, 8. https://doi.org/10.51489/tuzal.1848947
AMA
1.Meral A, Yıldız E. Multi-hazard risk mapping in mountainous microcatchments: Integrated avalanche-flood simulations with RAMMS and HEC-RAS. TJRS. 2026;8. doi:10.51489/tuzal.1848947
Chicago
Meral, Alperen, and Engin Yıldız. 2026. “Multi-Hazard Risk Mapping in Mountainous Microcatchments: Integrated Avalanche-Flood Simulations With RAMMS and HEC-RAS”. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing 8 (July). https://doi.org/10.51489/tuzal.1848947.
EndNote
Meral A, Yıldız E (July 1, 2026) Multi-hazard risk mapping in mountainous microcatchments: Integrated avalanche-flood simulations with RAMMS and HEC-RAS. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing 8
IEEE
[1]A. Meral and E. Yıldız, “Multi-hazard risk mapping in mountainous microcatchments: Integrated avalanche-flood simulations with RAMMS and HEC-RAS”, TJRS, vol. 8, July 2026, doi: 10.51489/tuzal.1848947.
ISNAD
Meral, Alperen - Yıldız, Engin. “Multi-Hazard Risk Mapping in Mountainous Microcatchments: Integrated Avalanche-Flood Simulations With RAMMS and HEC-RAS”. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing 8 (July 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.51489/tuzal.1848947.
JAMA
1.Meral A, Yıldız E. Multi-hazard risk mapping in mountainous microcatchments: Integrated avalanche-flood simulations with RAMMS and HEC-RAS. TJRS. 2026;8. doi:10.51489/tuzal.1848947.
MLA
Meral, Alperen, and Engin Yıldız. “Multi-Hazard Risk Mapping in Mountainous Microcatchments: Integrated Avalanche-Flood Simulations With RAMMS and HEC-RAS”. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing, vol. 8, July 2026, doi:10.51489/tuzal.1848947.
Vancouver
1.Alperen Meral, Engin Yıldız. Multi-hazard risk mapping in mountainous microcatchments: Integrated avalanche-flood simulations with RAMMS and HEC-RAS. TJRS. 2026 Jul. 1;8. doi:10.51489/tuzal.1848947

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