Item: Snow stability and its variation in course of time
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Title: Snow stability and its variation in course of time
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 1998 International Snow Science Workshop, Sunriver, Oregon
Authors: Peter Holler
Date: 1998
Abstract: One of the most important questions in avalanche warning is snowpack stability. A main factor when elaborating avalanche bulletins is the settlement of new snow and the stabilization of the snowpack (e.g. how long does it take that sufficient bonds will exist between a weak layer and the recent snowpack (new snow).This paper shows some preliminary investigations on snow stability in March 1998. The measurements were done after a period of snowfall and included shear frame and Rutschblock tests as well as meteorological and nivological investigations.These data were used to determine snow stability in course of time and to compare those values with temperature and other relevant parameters. Results indicate that snow temperature might influence snow stability in a different way. If snow temperatures were relatively high (_2° to _3° C) the shear strength and the stability index increased considerably, in the case of lower temperatures those values did not change significantly, but the shear strength and the stability index decreased when the snow temperatures rose up (especially when the temperatures reached values near the freezing point).
Presenters: Unknown
Keywords: avalanches, snow cover, snow stability
Subjects: snow stability avalanche warning rutschblock
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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