A long-term dataset of debris-flow and hydrometeorological observations from 1961 to 2024 in Jiangjia Ravine, China

Abstract. The study of mechanisms of debris-flow formation and movement is constrained by the lack of comprehensive and long-term field monitoring data. In 1961, the Dongchuan Debris Flow Observation and Research Station (DDFORS) was established in the highly active debris-flow catchment of Jiangjia Ravine to conduct continuous field observations of debris flows. With the advancement of technology, more high-precision instruments have been employed to monitor the entire process of debris flows. This paper presents a unique and comprehensive dataset of debris-flow and hydrometeorological observations collected over a 64-year period (1961–2024) in Jiangjia Ravine, China. The dataset documents 17 001 surges for a total of 278 debris-flow events and encompasses detailed measurements of kinematic parameters of debris flow, including velocity, depth, and discharge, as well as physical–mechanical parameters, such as the particle size distribution of debris flow, yield stress, and viscosity of debris-flow slurry. It also incorporates the induced seismic data, providing insights into the dynamic characteristics of debris flows. Furthermore, it includes continuous records of rainfall at 1 min intervals, soil moisture, and suspended sediment concentrations at the catchment scale. This extensive dataset provides invaluable insights into the initiation, transportation, and deposition processes of debris flows. It can be utilized to analyze flow resistance and dynamic characteristics of debris flows, validate various computational models, investigate the effects of debris flows on channel morphology, and evaluate the impact of climate change on sediment transport within watersheds. The dataset is publicly accessible through the National Cryosphere Desert Data Center (NCDC; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6803.2025; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6804.2025; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6721.2025; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6720.2025; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6807.2025; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6719.2025; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6805.2025; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6716.2025; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6718.2025; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6802.2025; https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.ddfors.db6806.2025; Song et al., 2025a–k) and is organized into several categories to facilitate ease of use and analysis.