Classification and terminology.- Debris flows in history.- Instability of steep slopes.- Mechanism of landslide-triggered debris flows: Liquefaction phenomena due to the undrained loading of torrent deposits.- Debris-flow mechanics.- Entrainment of material by debris flows.- Hyperconcentrated flow - transitional process between water flow and debris flow.- Subaqueous debris flows.- Volcanic debris flows.- Application of airborne and spaceborne remote sensing methods.- Debris-flow instrumentation.- Runout prediction methods.- Climatic factors influencing occurrence of debris flows.- Wildfire-related debris flow from a hazards perspective.- Influence of forest harvesting activities on debris avalanches and flows.- Debris-flow hazard analysis.- Debris-flow mitigation measures.- Debris avalanches and debris flows of the Campania Region (southern Italy).- Debris flows of December 1999 in Venezuela.- Debris flows caused by Typhoon Herb in Taiwan.- Jiangjia Ravine debris flows in south-western China.- Debris flows and debris avalanches in Clayoquot Sound.- Analysis and management of debris-flow risks at Sörenberg (Switzerland).- Engineering for debris flows in New Zealand.- Multifaceted hazard assessment of Cheekye fan, a large debris-flow fan in south-western British Columbia.- Debris flows at Mount St. Helens, Washington, USA.

With climate change and deforestation, debris flows and debris avalanches have become the most significant landslide hazards in many countries. In recent years there have been numerous debris flow avalanches in Southern Europe, South America and the Indian Subcontinent, resulting in major catastrophes and large loss of life. This is therefore a major high-profile problem for the world's governments and for the engineers and scientists concerned.

Matthias Jakob and Oldrich Hungr are ideally suited to edit this book. Matthias Jakob has worked on debris flow for over a decade and has had numerous papers published on the topic, as well as working as a consultant on debris flow for municipal and provincial governments. Oldrich Hungr has worked on site investigations on debris flow, avalanches and rockfall, with emphasis on slope stability analysis and evaluation of risks to roads in built-up areas. He has also developed mathematical models for landslide dynamic analysis. They have invited world-renowned experts to joint them in this book.