Rainfall can travel from mountain slopes to rivers far faster than expected in mountain catchments

Researchers at University of Tsukuba have found that river responses to rainfall can reach rivers and appear as runoff much more rapidly than previously assumed in mountainous regions. Through continuous monitoring of precipitation and river water levels, they documented rapid rainfall-related responses not only in moderate-relief catchments but also in high-relief catchments with mountain slopes exceeding 500 m in length. The findings provide new insights into runoff generation and flood development in mountainous regions. The paper is published in the Journal of Hydrology.