Observation of storm runoff, suspended sediment and debris flow, and topographical surveys of the channel at the Bebeng River on the southwestern slope of Merapi volcano for 3 years since 1991, have clarified the characteristics of the low runoff coefficient for storm runoff, the large flux of suspended load, and the conditions of debris-flow occurrence, motion and deposition. Estimated annual sediment discharge through the observation site consists of 167, 000m
3 of debris flows and 47, 000m
3 of total load. Comparison of sediment transportation at three volcanic torrents on Mount Yakedake, Mount Unzen in Japan and Mount Merapi indicates a trend where the frequency and scale of debris flows, and the amount of sediment yield at a specific volcanic torrent generally decreases exponentially with the time after the last effective eruption. For example, annual depth of sediment yield or sediment discharge might be expected to decrease from the initial rate of 10
1-10
2mm/year following the eruption to 10
1mm/year in less than several years, and finally approach 10
0mm/year in less than a few decades.
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