A form of rapid mass movement involving loose soil, rocks, and organic materials along with entrained air and water to form a slurry is called debris flow. In other words, debris flow are fast moving landslide and particularly dangerous to life and property because they move quickly, destroy objects in their paths and often strike without warning.

 The consistency of debris flow ranges from watery mud to thick rocky mud. Causes of debris flow: The debris flow generally occurs during the periods of intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt. Debris flows can also occur in the regions caught by wildfires and during the time of volcanic eruption. In general, following condition are important for debris flow to occur - Steep slopes - Loose soil and rock material - Clay minerals - Saturated soils - Run off of sufficiently intensity and duration to initiate slope movements.

To predict the debris flow, it is essential to determine the rainfall thresholds for debris flow initiation. The combined study of land condition and susceptible stress causing originally loosened molten mass to overflow may help in waring in advance for upcoming hazard. However, it is hard to forecast a debris flow. In areas with vulnerable populations the techniques such as production of hazards maps, installment of hazard detection and warning systems are very appropriate way to treat with debris flows.

Picture derived from AGU Blogosphere