Linzhi area of Tibet is one of the most dangerous regions threatened by debris flows in China.Under the influence of global warming

the melting rate of glacier has accelerated in this area

leading to frequent initiations of glacier-melting debris flows

which is severely hazardous.Since the middle of July

2009

the authors had carried out systematic investigations regarding approximately thirty debris flow gullies in counties of Linzhi

Milin

Bomi and Chayu in Linzhi area.Based on analysis of the twenty typical debris flow gullies and related historic documents

debris flows were divided into four classes according to initial water conditions

namely

rainfall-induced debris flow

glacier-rainfall-induced debris flow

avalanche-induced debris flow

and lake-outburst-induced debris flow.The initiation conditions were analyzed regarding landform

soil source

water source and air temperature.Specific advices based on the analysis were recommended for disaster prevention.