Item: Radial influence ofthe gaz-ex on a continental snowpack glory bowl slide path, teton pass, wyoming
-
-
Title: Radial influence ofthe gaz-ex on a continental snowpack glory bowl slide path, teton pass, wyoming
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 1994 International Snow Science Workshop, Snowbird, Utah, USA
Authors: Kelly Elder, SNOWMETRICS, Box 52, Wilson, WY 83014, 307-739-0848, Rod Newcomb, American Avalanche Institute, Box 308 Wilson, WY 83014, 307-733-3315
Date: 1994
Abstract: The study is centered on the GAZ-EX installations on Teton Pass, near Jackson, Wyoming, USA. Four GAZ-EX exploders are found on Mt. Glory (3074m) which has several large slide paths crossing Wyoming State Highway 22. Transects of depth, snow-water equivalence and ram resistance were completed at GAZ-EX 1 on 16 March, 1993. After GAZ-EX 3 and 4 were installed, we completed several more transects encompassing units 1, 3 and 4 during the period 31 March through 2 April, 1994. Three different ram resistance calculations were used for each point; mean, maximum, and integrated ram number. Integrated ram number is the sum of the individual layer ram numbers multiplied by the depth of the corresponding layer. Results indicate that a shallow snowpack is maintained in the blast area relative to surrounding terrain, and a weak snowpack dominated by depth hoar exists in the blast region with increasing strength observed with greater distance from the blast area. The radius of influence for snow depth is about 10 to 40 m from the GAZ-EX legs, depending on year and direction, but may be greater in down-slope cases. The radius of influence for strength is about 10 to 3'5 m from the GAZ-EX legs, depending on year and direction of measurement. Although effective in removing new snow above the depth hoar before it gains strength after deposition, the GAZEX itself is not effective in removing the depth-hoar snowpack in the blast area.
Presenters: Unknown
Keywords: gazex, forecasting, explosives, snowpack
Subjects: gazexâ® snowpack structures avalanche forecasting
-
Digital Abstract Not Available
-