Item: The Cumulation of Avalanche Accidents in Certain Periods– An Analysis of Backcountry Events in Austria
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Title: The Cumulation of Avalanche Accidents in Certain Periods– An Analysis of Backcountry Events in Austria
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- Peter Höller [ Expert Witness for Avalanche Accidents and Avalanche Control, Innsbruck, Austria ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: This paper deals with an analysis of backcountry avalanche events in Austria. In particular the cumulation of accidents in certain periods will be investigated. During the last 50 years an average of 30 persons per year were killed by avalanches in Austria; about two third of all fatalities occurred as a result of `tourist avalanches´. The most fatal event in the backcountry was in January 1982 when 13 skiers (mainly students) were killed by an avalanche near to Werfenweng (Salzburg). The majority of `tourist avalanches´ occurs in a few (short) periods; generally one to four periods per winter can be identified. In many cases the cumulation of accidents is correlated with new snow and drift snow.
Object ID: issw-2012-329-332.pdf
Language of Article:
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: backcountry avalanches, avalanche accidents, avalanche statistics
Page Number(s): 329-332
Subjects: recreational avalanche data avalanche hazard
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