Item: Decrease of Snow Avalanches Activity and Proliferation of Wet Snow Avalanches in French Alps Under Climate Warming
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Title: Decrease of Snow Avalanches Activity and Proliferation of Wet Snow Avalanches in French Alps Under Climate Warming
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA
Authors:
- Mohamed Naaim [ University Grenoble Alpes, Irstea, ETGR, Grenoble, France ]
- Nicolas Eckert [ University Grenoble Alpes, Irstea, ETGR, Grenoble, France ]
Date: 2016-10-02
Abstract: The processing of the data, including cross analysis, of two well documented databases of snow and avalanches in France Alps (namely EPA avalanches chronicle and ERA40 reanalyzes of snow mantle properties) allowed highlighting several trends of avalanche activity as a response to climate warming. Although the avalanche activity has a significant variability, it was shown that, on average, avalanche run-outs and frequencies has decreased over the past thirty years. In addition substantial increase of the annual number and proportion of wet snow avalanches has been highlighted. These trends are concomitant with climate warming. On the one hand, the proven decrease regarding both the frequency and the run-out distances with the expected changes in terms of amount and quality of snow for the next century will tend to reduce the long-term avalanche hazard. On the other hand, the proliferation of wet snow avalanches characterized by long run-outs and strong impact pressures advocate for an increase in avalanche hazard. These two competing trends bring up questions about how to adapt prevention guidelines.
Language of Article: English
Presenters:
Keywords: snow avalanche, climate change, natural hazard, risk
Page Number(s): 1319-1322
Subjects: climate change natural hazard avalanche
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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