Item: Spatial Variability of Some Snow Characteristics on a Slope and Interpretation of Measurements for Snow Stability Assessment
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Title: Spatial Variability of Some Snow Characteristics on a Slope and Interpretation of Measurements for Snow Stability Assessment
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 2006 International Snow Science Workshop, Telluride, Colorado
Authors:
- Pavel Chernous [ Center for Avalanche Safety, Apatit JSC, Russia ]
- Yuri Fedorenko [ Polar Geophysical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia ]
- Nikolay Barashev [ Center for Avalanche Safety, Apatit JSC, Russia ]
Date: 2006
Abstract: Snow thickness, density, shear strength and temperature are analyzed. Spatial distributions of the snow characteristics are considered as random fields and their variability is described statistically. The statistical parameters such as: mean values, standard deviations, coefficients of variability, estimations of the correlation and structural functions were obtained with data of numerous measurements in the Khibiny Mountains (beyond Polar Circle in Russia). The variability of the considered characteristics is very high due to unevenness of the underlying surface and redistribution of snow by wind. Comparison of the mentioned statistical parameters with ones obtained in the Tien Shan Mountains (Middle Asia) and other areas shows that spatial variability much higher and thus interpretation of measurements for avalanche or slushflow release forecasting more difficult in the Khibiny Mountains. Accuracy of the used methods of measurements was estimated by extrapolation of the empirical autocorrelation function to zero. There were also estimated errors of interpolation and substitution of mean integral values and mathematical expectations by mean arithmetical ones. Some questions concerning of the distribution of measuring networks in avalanche starting zones and interpretation of data obtained from them are considered. Approaches to the stochastic simulation of the fields of snow characteristics on mountain slopes and their using for evaluation of snow stability are suggested. The work was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grants: 04-05-65057-а and 05-05-64037-а).
Object ID: issw-2006-339-348.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: snow characteristics spatial variability, accuracy estimations, measurements' interpretation, simulation
Page Number(s): 339-348
Subjects: spatial variability snowpack stability snow simulation
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