Item: Snow gliding on steep rock coqulhalla, b.c.
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Title: Snow gliding on steep rock coqulhalla, b.c.
Proceedings: 1990 International Snow Science Workshop, Bigfork, Montana USA, October 9-13
Authors: D.M. Mcclung, Jack D. Bennettoll, Simon Walker, and W. Golley
Date: 1990
Abstract: The new Coquihalla highway traverses the avalanche prone Cascade Range through Southwestern British Columbia. The terrain above the highway has extensive areas of steep rock slabs which promote rapid snow gliding (slip of the entire snowpack over sloping ground) and full-depth avalanche formation. These avalanches release frequently as a result of the interaction of water (from melt or rain) and the ground roughness topography. Observations and measurements show that these avalanches can release during clear cold weather when slab avalanches would not normally be expected. By measuring snow gliding, temperatures, snowpack properties and avalanche occurrences for three winters, we have shown that a comprehensive strategy for fUll-depth avalanche prediction in the area will require measurements of gliding (or a similar index of deformation at the snow-rock interface). This is due to the indirect temporal correlation between the air temperature , melt or rain occurrence and the gliding rates.
Presenters: Unknown
Keywords: terrain, rock slabs, snow gliding, slab avalanches, temperature
Subjects: snow gliding coquihalla snowpack
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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