Item: How Snow Cover Properties Influence Avalanche Dynamics
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Title: How Snow Cover Properties Influence Avalanche Dynamics
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- W. Steinkogler [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos Dorf, Switzerland ] [ CRYOS, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland ]
- B. Sovilla [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
- M. Lehning [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos Dorf, Switzerland ] [ CRYOS, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: The run-out distance depends, among other things, on the release mass and the snow conditions in the avalanche path. So far, our knowledge on the effect of snow conditions on avalanche run-out is limited and qualitative at best. In the Interreg project STRADA we investigate the effects of snow cover conditions on avalanche dynamics, and thus run-out distance. We selected five avalanches from the Vall ´ee de la Sionne test site (Western Swiss Alps), with similar initial mass and flow paths but different flow dynamics. For each of these avalanches, the snow conditions were reconstructed using either field data from local snow pits or the numerical snow cover model SNOWPACK. Our data suggest that even for short vertical distances distinct flow regimes develop depending on the amount of entrained snow and its properties. In contrast, the lack of potentially erodible snow along the track or snow with relatively warm temperature did not only reduce the run-out distance but also strongly affected other flow characteristics such as front velocity and deposition structures. In the future, model calculations may provide real-time information on potential run-out distance provided information on snow conditions in the release zone and the track are available. Snow cover modeling has the potential to fill this gap.
Object ID: issw-2012-569-573.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: run-out distance, snow cover, snowpack conditions
Page Number(s): 569-573
Subjects: avalanche prediction avalanche release zones flow dynamics
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