Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1080/02626667.2026.2710212
Title (Primary) Event indicator analysis using depth functions to explain the occurrence of large floods in Germany
Author Guse, B.; Anwar, F.; Merz, B.; Tarasova, L.; Macdonald, E.; Merz, R.; Bárdossy, A.; Vorogushyn, S.
Source Titel Hydrological Sciences Journal-Journal des Sciences Hydrologiques
Year 2026
Department CATHYD
Language englisch
Topic T4 Coastal System
T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords Extreme floods; depth function; event indicators; flood occurrence
Abstract The occurrence of large floods results from extreme hydrometeorological conditions. To understand how large floods differ from small floods, eight event indicators were analysed including event precipitation, catchment response and antecedent catchment state indicators for 152 gauges in Germany. Tukey’s depth function is used to test whether large floods are associated with unusual values of these indicators. The depth function identifies whether events are at the outer border (unusual events) or in the centre (ordinary events) for a multidimensional point cloud for a set of event indicators. Our results show decreasing depth with increasing flood magnitude, indicating that large floods arise from more unusual conditions. The lowest depth occurs for combinations of event indicators with maximum precipitation or precipitation volume. The depth analysis emphasizes the higher relevance of precipitation indicators compared to antecedent catchment state or catchment response in explaining the occurrence of large floods in Germany.
Guse, B., Anwar, F., Merz, B., Tarasova, L., Macdonald, E., Merz, R., Bárdossy, A., Vorogushyn, S. (2026):
Event indicator analysis using depth functions to explain the occurrence of large floods in Germany
Hydrol. Sci. J.-J. Sci. Hydrol.
10.1080/02626667.2026.2710212