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Item: Characterizing Major Avalanche Episodes in Space and Time in the Twentieth and Early Twenty-First Centuries in the Catalan Pyrenees

• • Title: Characterizing Major Avalanche Episodes in Space and Time in the Twentieth and Early Twenty-First Centuries in the Catalan Pyrenees

    Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Grenoble – Chamonix Mont-Blanc - October 07-11, 2013

    Authors:

    • Pere Oller  [ Institut Geològic de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain ]
    • Elena Muntán  [ Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain ]
    • Carles García-Sellés  [ Institut Geològic de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain ]
    • Glòria Furdada  [ Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain ]
    • Cristina Baeza  [ Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain ]
    • Cecilio Angulo  [ Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain ]

    Date: 2013-10-07

    Abstract: With the aim of better understanding avalanche risk in the Catalan Pyrenees, the present work focuses on the analysis of major (or destructive) avalanches. For such purpose major avalanche cartography was made by an exhaustive photo interpretation of several flights, winter and summer field surveys and inquiries to local population. Major avalanche events were used to quantify the magnitude of the episodes during which they occurred and an Avalanche Magnitude Index (AMI) was developed. This index is based on the number of major avalanches registered and its estimated frequency in a given time period, and it quantifies the magnitude of a major avalanche episode or winter. Furthermore, it allows comparing the magnitude between major avalanche episodes in a given mountain range, or between mountain ranges. Major episodes from winter 1995/96 to the present were reconstructed. Their magnitude, frequency and extent were also assessed. During the last 18 winters, the episodes of January 22-23 and February 6-8 in 1996 were those with highest AMI values, followed by January 30-31, 2003, and January 29, 2006. With less accuracy, the same parameters were obtained at winter time resolution throughout the twentieth century. Again, 1996 winter had the highest AMI value followed by 1971/72, 1974/75 and 1937/38 winter seasons. The analysis of the spatial extent of the different episodes allowed refining the demarcation of nivological regions, and improving our knowledge about the atmospheric patterns that cause major episodes.

    Object ID: ISSW13_paper_P2-50.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s): Unknown

    Keywords: major avalanche, pyrenees, magnitude, frequency, hazard, risk

    Page Number(s): 723-730

    Subjects: avalanche hazard avalanche risk major avalanches

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