Item: LESSONS FROM THE CERRO COCINERO AVALANCHE: AEROSOL DYNAMICS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS
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Title: LESSONS FROM THE CERRO COCINERO AVALANCHE: AEROSOL DYNAMICS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- Cédric Larcher [ MND Safety, Sainte-Hélène-du-Lac, France ]
- Luis Schinelli [ Trevelin, CB, ARGENTINA ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: On August 27, 2010, a large avalanche struck Cerro Cocinero (2,281 m), destroyed a mountain hut and buried three occupants. Due to delayed alert, search and rescue (SAR) operations began two days after the event, under challenging conditions including deep burial, fresh snowfall, and uncertain location data. Initial assessments identified a debris field approximately 300 m long and up to 8 m deep. Early search efforts were hindered by inaccurate GPS positioning and misleading surface indicators, leading to excavation in incorrect locations. Despite systematic probing strategies, including a standard downhill search cone, no evidence of the buried structure was initially found. After several weeks, a detailed field analysis of the avalanche path provided critical new insights. Observations of tree damage patterns indicated that a powerful aerosol phase impacted the refuge at an estimated angle of approximately 70°, prior to the dense flow. This suggested a significant lateral displacement and structural fragmentation of the refuge, challenging the assumption of a purely gravity-driven burial directly downslope. Based on this revised interpretation, a new search area was defined. Recco detector signals identified anomalous targets, leading to the recovery of structural elements and personal equipment. These findings supported the hypothesis that the upper section of the refuge had been displaced and partially filtered through the forest, illustrating a "sieve effect" caused by vegetation interaction with the aerosol cloud. This case study highlights the importance of considering avalanche aerosol dynamics in post-event analysis, particularly for buried structures. It also underscores the limitations of conventional search geometries and the value of combining terrain analysis, vegetation damage interpretation, and technological tools in SAR operations.
Object ID: ISSW2026_O11.7.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790098524
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Cedric Larcher
Keywords: avalanche dynamics, aerosol phase, search and rescue, recco detection, avalanche impact, field case study
Page Number(s): 1941 - 1947
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