A Highly Efficient Depth-Averaged Material Point Method for Geophysical Mass Flows
Abstract: Probabilistic hazard assessment of geophysical mass flows requires large simulation ensembles and thus fast and robust numerical models. We present an open-source depth-averaged material point method formulated in global Cartesian coordinates, using Lagrangian particles to track the flow margin. A separate basal friction step based on the Coulomb, Voellmy, or $μ(I)$-rheology brings the flow to rest without artificial stopping criteria. Our model reproduces analytical solutions for a sliding block and dam-break problems and matches the deposit of a laboratory granular column collapse. A back-calculation of the 2023 Brienz/Brinzauls rockslide (Switzerland) at 1m resolution (190'000 particles) runs faster than real time on a single CPU core. Calibrated to the observed runout, the three friction laws yield very similar results, but Coulomb friction shows a slightly wider affected area than Voellmy and $μ(I)$. A probabilistic 1632-simulation ensemble at 5m resolution was computed in 76s. The model is one to two orders of magnitude faster than established depth-averaged models used in engineering practice, making catchment-style ensemble simulations feasible on a desktop computer.