Articles | Volume 25, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1901-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1901-2025
Research article
 | 
06 Jun 2025
Research article |  | 06 Jun 2025

Comparative analysis of μ(I) and Voellmy-type grain flow rheologies in geophysical mass flows: insights from theoretical and real case studies

Yu Zhuang, Brian W. McArdell, and Perry Bartelt

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Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on nhess-2024-87', Anonymous Referee #1, 31 Aug 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Yu Zhuang, 18 Sep 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on nhess-2024-87', Anonymous Referee #2, 04 Sep 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Yu Zhuang, 18 Sep 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (further review by editor and referees) (01 Dec 2024) by Animesh Gain
AR by Yu Zhuang on behalf of the Authors (11 Dec 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (15 Jan 2025) by Animesh Gain
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (16 Jan 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (18 Jan 2025)
ED: Publish as is (10 Mar 2025) by Animesh Gain
AR by Yu Zhuang on behalf of the Authors (11 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 
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Short summary
The experimentally based μ(I) rheology, widely used for gravitational mass flows, is reinterpreted as a Voellmy-type relationship to highlight its link to grain flow theory. Through block modeling and case studies, we establish its equivalence to μ(R) rheology. μ(I) models shear thinning but fails to capture acceleration and deceleration processes and deposit structure. Incorporating fluctuation energy in μ(R) improves accuracy, refining mass flow modeling and revealing practical challenges.
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