Item: Cellular Automaton Modelling of Slab Avalanche Triggering Mechanisms: From the Universal Statistical Behaviour to Particular Cases
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Title: Cellular Automaton Modelling of Slab Avalanche Triggering Mechanisms: From the Universal Statistical Behaviour to Particular Cases
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 2006 International Snow Science Workshop, Telluride, Colorado
Authors:
- J. Faillettaz [ Laboratoire 3S, Grenoble, France. Present address: VAW ETH-Zurich, Switzerland ]
- F. Louchet [ Laboratoire de Glaciologie et de Géophysique de l’Environnement, Grenoble, France ]
- J-R. Grasso [ Laboratoire de Géophysique Interne et de Tectonophysique, Grenoble, France ]
Date: 2006
Abstract: Modelling avalanche release is a long lasting challenge. Despite a general agreement on the basic mechanisms responsible for avalanche release, deterministic models suffer from a lack of reliable data due to spatial and temporal variability of snow cover properties. On the other hand, field observations reveal that starting zone sizes are organized into power law statistical distributions characterized by a universal exponent. Yet, statistical approaches developed so far, that essentially are binary cellular automata, only consider the shear failure of the weak layer, and cannot take into account slab rupture. As a consequence, they cannot reproduce the observed power law exponent. This is why the present model is a two-threshold multi-state cellular automaton, that incorporates both the shear failure of the weak layer and the rupture of the slab. It reproduces field data on statistical distributions of starting zones of snow slab avalanches, but also of other gravitational failures. It can be used to model blast-triggered and skier triggered avalanche, or to provide initial conditions in avalanche flow simulations in particular slopes. Possible applications of the automaton to educational purposes may be contemplated.
Object ID: issw-2006-174-180.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: snow, avalanches, cellular automata, statistical physics, variability, criticality
Page Number(s): 174-180
Subjects: cellular automaton avalanche triggering slab avalanche
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