Research Description
Alban Sauret investigates the physics behind post-wildfire mudflows — rapid, destructive debris flows that occur when intense rainfall hits water-repellent soil left by wildfires. These flows pose serious risks to communities and infrastructure yet remain difficult to predict. Professor Sauret’s group is developing models to understand how these events are triggered, using a soft earth geophysics approach that uses controlled lab experiments. They analyze how raindrops impact and thin water sheets initiate erosion, how rills form and evolve into dense slurries, and how the viscosity of these slurries changes as soil, gravel, and air mix. His work aims to deliver predictive rheological models that improve early warning systems for debris flows in vulnerable landscapes.
Research Impact
Post-wildfire mudflows triggered by intense rainstorms have devastated many communities, yet predicting these events remains a major challenge. Professor Sauret’s research seeks to uncover the physical mechanisms that cause burned hillslopes to transform into fast-moving debris flows. By developing physics-based models of how rain interacts with fire-altered soil, he aims to improve hazard forecasting and inform emergency alert systems. This work could help land-use planners assess rebuilding timelines and shift post-fire response from reactive to proactive — ultimately reducing the risk of future tragedies.
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related links
Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative 
Science
University of Maryland, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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